Melbourne International Comedy Festival comedian Q&A: Douglas Lim, This is Awkward

It’s always fun to have a dig at your home and people and Douglas Lim found plenty of material to share when he headed back to Malaysia.

Douglas Lim Melbourne Comedy Festival 2019.

What can people expect from your show at this year’s Melbourne International Comedy Festival?

It’s going to be a brand new one-hour show.

My comedy is generally observation based.

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So, it’s going to be a commentary and reflection of my life in Malaysia before and after the shocking General Elections of 2018, where we elected in a new government for the first time since independence.

There will also be observations about Australia during my stay here.

What have you been up to since last time you were here?

Upon completion of my show This is Nice at MICF 2018, I went to New York for a play entitled Thicker Than Water.

It was a comedy about two Malaysians trying to sell a movie about America to America.

We fail and get arrested by the US Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents.

I then did a nationwide tour of my stand-up show together with the Malaysian Association of Chinese Comedians (not a real association).

After that I assumed head judge duties at our version of Last Comic Standing called Maharajah Lawak Mega, landed a lead role in a revival of a popular local sitcom called Spannar Jaya X and was a regular panel member in Malaysia’s first roasting program called Arena Panggang.

Who should see your show, and why?

I think anyone who enjoys comedy should come and watch my show.

I’d be delighted if my fellow Malaysians came out in droves for a night of laughter and nostalgia about Malaysia.

However, I also really enjoyed performing for Australians who actually made up around 70 per cent of my audience during This is Nice.

Oh yes, I also usually have a nice jacket.

What’s your No.1 tip for people coming to see a show at the comedy festival?

I would really encourage people to have an open mind because the comedy shows at the festival are so varied; from straight stand up to improvisation, sketch comedy, physical comedy, experimental installations, etc …

And the cultural representation from so many different comedians should contribute to a refreshing night out.

Which other comedians/shows are you keen to see at this year’s festival, and why?

I would definitely want to watch Aaron Chen, Becky Lucas, Benny Darsow, Comedy Zone Asia, Danny Bhoy, Dave Hughes, David O’Doherty … Gosh, there’s just too many.

What do you love about Melbourne?

I definitely enjoy the level of politeness I experienced during my time in Melbourne.

Also, the respect accorded to non-Australians was very refreshing and welcoming.

I don’t know if this is genuine or some elaborate international PR stunt, but whatever it is, keep doing it, please.

Who or what is your comedic inspiration, and why?

Like most Malaysian comedians, we grew up on a very limited diet of Eddy Murphy, followed by Russell Peters before having access to superstars like Michael McIntyre, Chris Rock, Dave Chapelle, Jim Jefferies, etc …

I definitely admire their comedy and skill.

Anything else you want us to know about you or your show?

My moniker is “The King of Malaysian Comedy”.

But this was a moniker given to me by the Melbourne International Comedy Festival.

I am not comedy royalty in Malaysia.

There is no such thing.

My father is just a retired air force pilot and my mum teaches line dancing to aunties after their visit to the morning market.

But I am funny.

And I’ve won a few comedy awards (actually just one).

And I think I’m the first Malaysian to be invited back by the festival three years in a row.

DOUGLAS LIM, THIS IS AWKWARD, MARCH 28-APRIL 7, CHINESE MUSEUM SILK ROOM, 22 COHEN PL. BOOK TICKETS