Black Santa
Drawing from his experience of fleeing Ethiopia as a refugee (after his family had fled war-torn Sudan only three years prior), having no idea what a Santa is, and growing up as a minority in 90s suburban Perth, Emo The Comedian’s upcoming Melbourne International Comedy Festival season is funny, clever, and socially relevant. Playing at Fad Gallery in Melbourne’s bustling CBD from the 25th of March to the 17th of April, 2021, Black Santa is “an hour of brilliant storytelling interlaced with an education on black culture in Australia and delivered by a grinning, natural comedian.”- The Fourth Wall (Perth, 2021)
A father of three who lays claim to having worked 60+ jobs since arriving in Australia, Emo The Comedian is primed and ready with ample comic content about his life to gift Melbourne audiences. Arriving in Australia in 1996, with his trademark smile young Emo graduated with honours as the class clown – one of the only black students in a very white school. Cut to 25 years later and Emo The Comedian is now an impressive and important influence on the Australian Comedy landscape.
Being a refugee from Africa we were never taught to believe in Santa, the Tooth Fairy, or superheroes for that matter, explains Emo.
Black Santa is my experience of that culture-clash. My favourite part of the show is being able to take the audience on a journey about my life through laughter. It also helps that I am a 32 year old man with the face of teenager.
Debuting in 2016, Emo The Comedian is the winner of the 2018 Raw Comedy Festival, which then saw him go on to perform in the National Finals at the 2018 Melbourne International Comedy Festival. Since then has written and performed in other highly successful seasons including Not Quite Grown, Yet and Just Your Typical Aussie. Without doubt, Emo’s innate skills as an entertainer, his sharp jokes and strong work ethic mean that the sky is the limit for this kid from the Horn of Africa, who grew up in Perth’s northern burbs.
Returning to the Melbourne International Comedy Festival after a tumultuous 2020 around the globe, Emo The Comedian is back to offer local audiences a well-deserved night out, lousy with laughs.
Written/Performed by Emo The Comedian
Produced by J&E Events
Branding and Marketing by Luel de Kuék
25 March – 17 April, 2021
Tues, Thurs – Sat 7pm, Sun 6pm
Tickets: $25 Full, $20 Concession, Cheap Tuesday, and Grps 6+
Booking: phone 03 9245 3788 or online at www.emothecomedian.com and www.comedyfestival.com.au/2021/shows/black-santa
Venue: Fad Gallery – 14 Corrs Lane, Melbourne CBD.
www.emothecomedian.com
