Stand-Up Comedy in Hong Kong

Through the Lens of 3 Comedians
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Here are some of the hotspots for stand-up comedy in Hong Kong:

Vivek Mahbubani

When local stand-up comedian Vivek Mahbubani took to stage at a private function, where he was employed to deliver jokes, no one was paying attention to what he was saying. Instead, attendees were too busy chatting or taking a bite from their lamb chop. 



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For Mahbubani, apart from dealing with less than enthusiastic crowds, one of the biggest challenges that he faced during the pandemic was figuring out if he could still bring his energy while doing online shows. During the social unrest, people had also become more sensitive, he says. At one of his shows in Wan Chai, he would be trying to tell a joke while people were running away, just a block away.

“We actually had a Laugh festival happening in Wan Chai and it was so bizarre because right outside in Wan Chai, there might be water tanks and everything,” said Mahbubani. 

Vivek Mahbubani headlines a sold-out show at The Aftermath (Photo Credit: Daniel Lee)

Now Vivek Mahbubani is a successful stand-up comedian in Hong Kong who performs in both English and Cantonese. 

In 2007, Mahbubani won the award for being the Funniest Person in the Chinese language. A year later, he won the same accolade in the English category. 

In 2016, he was featured in Comedy Central’s first ever ‘Stand up Asia!’ shows. Outside of comedy, he enjoys reading, with his favorite book being Sun Tzu’s Art of War.   

Maitreyi Karanth

Unlike her male counterparts, Maitreyi Karanth initially faced a gender bias, due to a lack of female comedians in Hong Kong’s comedy scene. 

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Maitreyi Karanth performs at the ‘BAD BOYS OF ASEAN’ comedy show (Photo Credit: Maitreyi Karanth)

For Maitreyi Karanth, stand-up comedy was never on her radar. She made the switch from being a tutor to a stand-up comedian at the age of 40. 

“I did get bullied and they weren’t used to a woman suddenly being given time…it took me about a year and a half or two years before I was accepted into the scene backstage…I did go through a very rough beginning just for being a woman,” said Karanth. 

It was only when she came across a flier for an Open Mic that Karanth decided to give comedy a shot. Recently, she headlined a show in Singapore and even performed for the United Nations in Bangkok. 

A turning point for Karanth was when her father passed away. It was at that moment that she decided to make the most out of the time and talent that she had. 

“It’s all those years that my dad never had and I should do something with the talent he passed onto me,” said Karanth. 

Cale Holmes

Cale Holmes, an American comedian in Hong Kong who’s fresh on the scene, remains optimistic about the future of stand-up comedy, despite how competitive it is in a city like Hong Kong.
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Holmes added that he’s able to navigate through the competition by being able to find his niche in making jokes about international issues and varying cultural norms between Hong Kong and the West. 

“In a lot of ways it’s too soon to tell, especially for me as a newcomer to the scene, but I’m more or less optimistic about the future of comedy in HK just because I’ve met so many passionate comedians who are very supportive and the network is growing…as long as HK has that spirit of being inclusive and supporting people who want to get on stage and make people laugh I feel like there’s only room to grow for the scene,” said Holmes.

Cale Holmes tests out new material at an open-mic event hosted by The Aftermath (Photo Credit: Daniel Lee)

Born in Texas, Cale Holmes has been working as production editor at the South China Morning Post since February 2024. 

During his free time, Holmes enjoys performing his stand-up comedy routine at venues such as the Aftermath, where he regularly takes part in the Open Mic, held every Tuesday. 

“I wanted to tell stories, I love telling stories. I feel like journalism and comedy have that similarity,” said Holmes. 

He added that he hopes to make Hong Kong a funnier city with one Open Mic at a time.  

On April 16, Holmes took to the stage in front of a packed crowd at the Aftermath’s Open Mic night. Here’s a look of what it looked like before and during his stand-up set. 

Hong Kong’s stand-up comedy scene has a vibrant and exciting future, according to Mahbubani and Holmes. 

“I think the future of comedy in Hong Kong is fantastic because more and more kids are growing up with comedy,” said Mahbubani. 

Holmes agrees with that sentiment, adding that the city also has a lot of potential and exciting opportunities for both himself and other artists. 

“I want to help run Open Mics. I want to actually have a role in helping produce shows, get people on stage,” said Holmes. 

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