Da Lei wins UK Chinese Comedy Competition 2022
- Da Lei, Yuchen and Gong Mo were the top three in the inaugural UK Chinese Comedy Competition
- Da Lei said: "Last week I did stand-up comedy for the first time ever in my life, I really didn't expect that I will get to the top 3"
- MC Chin Wang says: "The standard of entries has been very high across all the semi-final heats"
The first UK Chinese Comedy Competition was held on Saturday 22nd October at the 21Soho venue in front of a sell-out crowd of over 200 people.
Run by Hurrah Comedy, "the first UK Chinese Comedy Club", the competition primarily involved contestants who are native Chinese speakers who study/work in the UK.
Of the twelve acts competing, Da Lei was selected as the winner despite only having started performing stand-up this month. She was described as "a natural".
Talking about her set, the organisers noted: "Confident, charming, and has consistent delivery. She talks about how the older generation Chinese people question the younger generation about their life decisions while being judgemental, which is an astute observation and resonates with the audience."
Da Lei, whilst holding the trophy on stage, said: "Last week I did stand-up comedy for the first time ever in my life, I really didn't expect that I will get to the top 3. I would like to thank you all for your generous support, and thank you Hurrah Comedy. Hope I can make you laugh more in the future."
Second place went to Yuchen. His set involved his childhood story and also his experience when he was studying in Exeter University and meeting a gun-holder, which made it into the news at the time.
Yuchen said after learning of his placing: "I made many mistakes today on the stage, but I'm very happy I get to perform here, also I'm especially happy to see all the friends here who I haven't seen for a long time; colleges, high school mates, and ex-girlfriends."
Gong Mo, who came third, talked about the bathing culture back in China. The organisers say: "He is especially brilliant at acting out - how his uncle stuck at a tight corner in a bathing centre when measuring weights. Gong Mo went on the stage with great confidence and made a remark about how stressed he was because of this competition, which made him instantly loved by the audience."
On finding out he'd been placed, he said: "Three of us are all from the same heat, and we often help out each other with the jokes, as someone who went through by wild card, I'm extremely happy that all three of us get to stand here together at this moment. Also, I have more jokes than what you have seen today, and I can't wait to share them with you."
The winner was awarded with a £800 cash prize and a trophy; 2nd place received £80; with £8 going to third place.
At the end of each set, the audience were asked to raise up their phone's torch if they liked the comedian they just saw. Commenting on this action, the photographer said: "With all the lights in the air, the voting scene is very pretty, It's like a live concert." The audience reaction was combined with the opinions of the organisers and three invited internet influencers to determine the placings.
To enter the competition, acts had to submit a video. 39 were selected to take part in heats, with 12 making the final show. The other finalists were Chill Cool, Adam Hopkins, Haoyue, Zaixi, Ting, Meeseeks, Jin Dagou, Spicy Tea and Zhan Lang.
The MC was Chin Wang, the up-and-coming comedian who founded Hurrah Comedy alongside Max Zhang.
She says: "As the organiser, I'm extremely proud of all the comedians. The standard of entries has been very high across all the semi-final heats, and I can see all the comedians improved massively during the competition. Also it's touching to see that this is not only a competition to win but also an opportunity for the comedians to bond as a community. Comedians have been helping out each other, with jokes and mental support."
She added: "This is the first year running this competition, and I'm very happy with the result, congratulations again for the winner and all the finalists, already looking forward to it next year."
Founded in early 2021, Hurrah Comedy now regularly put-on three shows per week at their own venue, downstairs at China Feng, a restaurant near Aldgate East.