Why stand-up comedy classes at new Hong Kong club The Riff are the perfect antidote to 2020
Can anyone be funny? Yes, says comedian Andy Curtain, who will be helping aspiring comics hone their craft
Many Hongkongers would agree we could all use a good laugh about now, so The Riff comedy club’s timing is perfect.
Located in California Tower, in Lan Kwai Fong, and owned by global entertainment giant Live Nation – the group behind the Punchline comedy clubs in the United States – The Riff opened its doors to the paying public as Hong Kong’s only full-time comedy club for the first time in January, but quickly closed following the coronavirus outbreak, before reopening last month.
Featuring a 150-seat comedy showroom, a retro-style speakeasy bar and a terrace with views over Central, The Riff will not only offer a roster of big-name comedians but also aims to foster local talent. And for those who want to see if they have what it takes to get up in front of an audience, the club is offering three comedy classes over three consecutive weeks, beginning on June 20, taught by three of Hong Kong’s top stand-ups.
“Hong Kong has a fantastic comedy scene, and we’ve got plans to take it to a whole new level,” says Andy Curtain, head of Live Nation Comedy Asia and general manager of The Riff. “A big part of that is getting more people involved in stand-up, both off and on stage. Running classes helps build that part of the scene.”
Meet Hong Kong’s funniest person – in both Cantonese and English
The course will focus on developing content, structuring material and mastering delivery, says Curtain, an established stand-up who will lead one of the two-hour sessions.
“People will learn the fundamentals of comedy, the tools of stage craft, attend guided open mics and have the option of joining a graduation show on July 9,” he says.
Comedy, says Curtain, can offer the perfect antidote to serious times.
“This whole period has been defined by stress and there’s no better release than a big laugh. It’s the ultimate therapy,” he says. “The number one thing I’m hearing after shows these days is, ‘I really needed that.’ And it’s much cheaper than sitting on a disinterested shrink’s couch.”
As to what he describes as “the eternal question” – can anyone be funny? – Curtain replies: “Some people make being unfunny an art form, but anyone can get a laugh. And performing five minutes of stand-up well is within reach of everyone I’ve ever met.”
The course costs HK$1,500.
