Netflix Comedian Kavin Jay Returns to Beijing With New Show

After bringing down the house on two previous visits, Malaysian comedian Kavin Jay is returning to Beijing this weekend (Jun 27 and 28) for another round of sharp observations, chaotic storytelling, and the kind of laugh-out-loud moments that combine both the outrageous and heartfelt.

A veteran of the stand-up scene with nearly two decades of experience, Jay has performed at the Edinburgh Fringe, toured internationally, and even scored his own Netflix special, Everybody Calm Down!. Ahead of the show, we talked with him about his favorite Beijing memories, what he's been up to since he was last in Beijing, and what fans can expect from his latest shows in the capital.

This will be your third time performing in Beijing. How does it feel to be performing here again?
It’s honestly such a thrill. Coming back to Beijing feels like reconnecting with that one friend who always shows you a wild time and maybe almost gets you arrested, but it’s still worth it. It’s been nothing but great vibes here, and I’m really glad they haven’t banned me yet. Let’s keep that streak alive, yeah?

You last performed in Beijing in April 2024. What have you been up to in the past year? Any new exciting developments we should know about?
It’s been a wild ride! I've toured Europe, hit the comedy festivals in Melbourne and Sydney, and gigged across Asia. No Netflix royalties to brag about (yet!), but I’ve been building shows, building muscle, and occasionally rebuilding my ego after a heckle or two. Most recently, my Edinburgh Fringe show was recorded, so I guess now my mistakes have a streaming deal before I do.

What did you enjoy most about your shows last year?
The Beijing crowds, hands down. They’re electric – warm, rowdy in the best way, and ready to go on any weird tangent I take them on. I remember thinking mid-show, “Wait, am I crushing ... or is this just the hotpot sweat?” But seriously, the energy was unreal. There’s something about doing comedy in a city where the language, culture, and history are so different from mine but the laughs still land. That’s the magic.

What can people expect from your Beijing shows this time around?
A fresh set, some sharp observations, and probably a few mispronounced Chinese words I’ll regret instantly. The show’s honest, a little chaotic, and guaranteed to make at least one person go, “He did not just say that!” Spoiler: I did.

How do you think audiences in Beijing differ from those in other cities/countries?
Beijing crowds are wonderfully rowdy, but in a generous way – they want to have a good time. Unlike some places where people sit like they’re watching a TED Talk, waiting to be convinced, Beijing audiences show up ready to laugh. It’s like performing for your funniest cousins who’ve had one too many drinks: loud, supportive, and a little unpredictable. I love it.

Do you have a go-to “China story” you like to share onstage when you perform here?
Oh, yes. There was this one time fellow comedian Donnie Fan offered me a ride on his scooter. I naively thought, “Cool, this’ll be chill.” Cut to: me hanging on for dear life like a fat koala as he zips through Beijing traffic like he’s late for the Fast & Furious auditions. The trauma lives on. Also, the memory. Mostly trauma.

A lot of your material touches on cultural misunderstandings and everyday frustrations. Where do you draw the line between funny and offensive?
For me, comedy is about holding up a mirror to society but not smashing people over the head with it. We all have lines we won’t cross. I punch up, not down. If someone in power gets roasted, good. If it’s making someone vulnerable feel worse, then that’s not comedy – that’s just cruelty with a mic.

You've been performing stand-up comedy for almost two decades now. What’s changed the most in the Asian comedy scene since you started?
Back when I started, “Asian comedy” wasn’t even a thing. We had shows in random bars with three people – two of them confused, one of them drunk. Now? Comedy’s booming. There are clubs, festivals and crowds who get it. There’s more diversity in voices, stories and platforms. The scene’s gone from niche to necessary – and I love watching it grow.

Comedy aside, what are you looking forward to doing (or eating) while in Beijing?
I NEED to try that donkey burger. I missed it last time, and it’s haunted me ever since. Also, I’m just excited to eat like I’m in a food documentary – dumplings, hotpot, anything on a stick. I’ll pretend to sightsee, but really I’m just chasing snacks.

Kavin Jay will be performing at GREEN BOX, Nanyang Theater on Fri, Jun 27 at 7.30pm and on Sat, Jun 28 at 7pm and 9pm. Early bird tickets are RMB 135-165 and regular tickets are RMB 150-200 and can be purchased by scanning the QR code in the poster above.

Green Box, Nanyang Theater
6 Nanyang Hutong, Dongcheng District
东城区南阳胡同6号

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Images: courtesy of the Comedy Citadel