Does humour cross the cultural divide? That’s the question that Lin Dong Fu in his show Chinese True Confucians asks (sometimes not intentionally). The show is a mix of stand-up, sketches and wry observations about the differences between China and Australia and the funny word play that exists in translating words between English and Mandarin. Lin Dong Fu, who is from Shanghai, also uses his show to give the audience a different perspective on Communist China and it is this element that is particularly fascinating as it shows us a China very different to the one we usually see. Lin Dong Fu is a mesmerizing performer, and one can easily imagine him on the stage or in film, although as a comedian his timing and humour probably works better in his native Mandarin. Some of the material is at times a little twee and simplistic, but he works hard to bring the audience into his show. What remains fascinating is just how hard he works to make you understand and feel at home and while some of the humour is left on the other side of the cultural divide, you have to admire a performer who is willing to take such a risk.
Lin Dong Fu also represents another side to the Comedy Festival, a side in which comedy performances cross languages and cultures, and strive to represent fully the vibrant multicultural society that we have here in Australia. This is a wonderful thing and the Festival should continue to nurture in festivals to come.
Chinese True Confucians
Lin Dong Fu
Venue: Melbourne Town Hall | Cnr Swanston & Collins Sts, Melbourne
Dates: 2nd Apr - 12th Apr
Times: Tue - Sat 6pm, Sun 5pm
Duration: 60 minutes
Prices: Full $26, Conc $22
Bookings: Ticketmaster 1300 660 013 & at the door