Find Out Why Comedian Kei Gambit Is Strange This Saturday (Jan 20)

We last talked to British comedian Kei Gambit back in April 2022 ahead of his second headline show, Kei Gambit’s Weird and Wonderful Part Deux. Since then, he’s been making even bigger waves in the comedy scene both here in China and abroad, having co-headlined a show in New York City last summer.

Now, he’s back in Beijing with a new show, Kei Gambit Is Strange, which will be debuting tomorrow (Jan 20) at La Maison Lyonnaise. We caught up with Gambit ahead of the show to find out what he’s been up to and what he’s got in store with his new show.  

We last spoke to you back in April 2022, can you tell us briefly about what you've been up to comedy wise since then? 
Since then, my journey has taken some fascinating turns. I've successfully hosted two headline shows and played a pivotal role in launching The Comedy Citadel, which has quickly become Beijing's premier English comedy destination. Additionally, this summer, I had the incredible opportunity to join Donnie Fan on his global tour. He graciously flew me to the US, where I not only had the privilege of performing in the vibrant NYC shows but also spent quality time with his family, soaking up invaluable experiences and honing my comedic craft.

How do you think you’ve grown as a comedian since we last spoke to you?
Lately, I've found myself gravitating towards storytelling, shifting a bit from the traditional stand-up style of crafting jokes. This transition has led me to rediscover a treasure trove of entertaining stories from my life that were waiting to be shared. With our growing Chinese audience, I've embraced the challenge of adjusting my punch line delivery to connect more effectively with the diverse crowd in front of me. It's been a learning curve, but adapting to the audience dynamics has added a new dimension to my comedic approach.

This summer you co-headlined a show in New York City, what was the experience like?
New York was an incredible experience, made even more memorable by sharing the stage with Donnie. Having him, a native New Yorker, as my co-performer eliminated that feeling of being out of place. The sold-out shows at WESTSIDECOMEDYCLUB, brimming with both his hometown crowd and a significant number of Chinese audience members from Beijing who were familiar with him and our work, created an electric atmosphere.

The trip not only enriched my comedic material but also offered some wild experiences. One standout moment was participating in a yard sale that Donnie forced his siblings to do because he deemed their home too messy. The entire escapade added a quirky twist to my repertoire of stories.

How does doing stand-up in New York compare to doing stand-up in China?
Navigating the comedy scenes in NYC and Beijing feels like dealing with two entirely distinct animals. Setting up and promoting shows in Beijing is a breeze thanks to China's advanced use of social media for marketing. In contrast, the US sometimes feels like it's stuck in a carrier pigeon era when it comes to promotion. During our time in NYC, Donnie Fan and I found ourselves hitting the streets, literally barking at locals to attend our shows. Despite the unconventional approach, the experience was nothing short of amazing – and we pulled it off!

What’s the idea behind your new show “Kei Gambit Is Strange”? What sort of comedy can people expect?
Given the shift towards more true storytelling, my focus has been on weaving narratives around peculiar experiences and injecting humor in the hope that people not only relate but also find amusement in the delightful oddities of life!

Can you tell us a bit about the other comedians who will be performing at the show?
We have some belters opening up the show, some people you may not have had the chance to see yet, so that's exciting. We also have some people who haven't been in the scene for a while popping in.

Lastly, do you have any more plans for future shows this year?
In 2024, I anticipate significant growth for both The Comedy Citadel and myself. We're gearing up for an enhanced social media presence, incorporating engaging game-like activities and broadening the comedy scene beyond traditional stand-up. While these additions are exciting, stand-up remains at the core of our focus. Personally, I'm setting my sights on expanding into the global touring scene. Once you've had a taste of the Big Apple, there's an undeniable drive to keep pushing boundaries and reaching new heights.

Kei Gambit is Strange will be running tomorrow, Saturday, Jan 20 at 8.30pm at La Maison Lyonnaise. Tickets are RMB 115 and can be purchased by scanning the QR code in the poster above. 

La Maison Lyonnaise
44 Guanghua Lu, Chaoyang District
朝阳区光华路44号

READ: Events and Happenings in the ‘Jing This Weekend (Jan 19-21)

Images: courtesy of Kei Gambit