Last month, Kung Fu Komedy opened what they describe as “China’s first dedicated stand-up comedy club” below Kartel. The first international comic to perform at the intimate space has been announced as Graham Elwood. The Los Angeles comic makes his return to Shanghai on December 4-5 after his successful debut last year.
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“I had a wonderful time,” he gushes. “The most memorable moment was eating street food after the show. This was more insane than the time I did shows in Afghanistan for the US military.”
Known for his genial high-octane sets, Elwood began dabbling in comedy while studying finance in university. After realizing “I could never hold a real job,” he moved to Chicago where he took classes at Second City while ingratiating himself into the local scene.
"I did a show on a double decker tour bus in Chicago and almost hit my head on a bridge," he laughs. "I was saved by a person yelling 'duck!'"
However, he found notoriety when he moved to Los Angeles and began his Comedy Film Nerds podcast with Chris Mancini.
“Comedy podcasting really began in Los Angeles around ten years ago by all these comics who were frustrated with trying to find work,” he explains. “Podcasting was a way for all of us to take control of our careers without anyone telling us what to do.”
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While he's since guested on The Sarah Silverman Program and hosted game shows like Strip Poker, he's been busy finishing the documentary Ear Buds.
Fuelled by Comedy Film Nerds’ success, the film explores "the unique connection between podcasters and fans," and was funded by USD140,000 raised on Kickstarter.
A preview was screened at this year’s LA Podcast Festival and Elwood hopes to submit the film to major film festivals upon completion.
He admits that the film has taken over his past year, but is eager to return to the stage while sharing his knowledge to Kung Fu Komedy's crew of China based comedians.
"The only way to get better is getting on stage as often as you can," he advises. "Don't try to be what you think a comic should be. Talk about your own stuff."
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While he repeatedly jokes about being scared of Shanghai’s street food, Elwood encountered a true fright during a USO tour to Iraq.
“We were at a place for one of Saddam Hussein’s mothers-in-law. I was sitting out on the patio looking at these weird hybrid carp fish that he created when I heard ‘Incoming! Incoming! Seek Shelter!’ over the loud speaker,” he recalls.
“I ran inside and heard the rocket fly over my head. To this day, I’m amazed I didn’t just cry on the spot. This was one of the scariest things ever. Shanghai street food being second.”
> Fri-Sat Dec 4-5, 8.30-10pm, RMB100-150. Kung Fu Komedy Club, tickets.
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We're giving away a pair of tickets to Graham Elwood's Friday show through our WeChat. For your chance to win, add Thats_Shanghai or scan the QR code below, and stay tuned for the giveaway.
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