Comedian Kai Humphries has been making people laugh since breaking through the ranks in 2009 as a finalist in 'So You Think You're Funny'. He brings his new show 'Kaibosh' to Australia.
Kai is known for infectious enthusiasm, and a high-octane delivery in his stand-up. To date, he's performed in more than 50 countries across the globe, has appeared on TV and radio, and has even released a book.
'Kaibosh' is Kai's latest concoction of hilarious observations, entertaining stories and uplifting outlooks.
We chat to Kai as he hits our shores.
What’s your show all about this year?
It’s about the moments that shaped us, focusing on a life-defining incident that saw me forced to move schools as a child. I look back upon it, not with trauma or pain but an extremely positive comedic lens, squeezing every ounce of humour from the situation. Seeing all the good that came from a struggle that was tough to live through at the time, while appreciating that I wouldn’t be the person I am now without it.
What’s the best thing about travelling the world to do comedy?
Knowing that funny is funny everywhere you go, we all have our differences culturally but can be brought together by humour. Laughing at the human condition, seeing that wherever we are in the world, we’re not all that different as people when we put life under the microscope. Also the weather, I live in Scotland, the weather is better everywhere I go.
And what are you looking forward to most about hitting Australian shores this year?
The Aussie comics. I’ve been coming over since 2013 and have made some life-long friends over here, some of the funniest people on the planet, real salt-of-the-earth folk who are world-class to have a beer with.
Where does a new show start for you? Does a concept or a general vibe start it off, or will a totally random observation usually be the catalyst?
I usually patch together some funny ideas, 'bits', lay them down and then develop a through-line that connects them all and makes them flow, like piecing together a jigsaw. This time I started with the theme and drew the bits from it. The story already existed as it was a huge moment from my childhood, I had such a good time finding the laughs from the narrative.
When crowds leave ‘Kaibosh’, they’ll be thinking. . .
I think anyone who is going through or has gone through a struggle of their own will feel a lot lighter seeing me reflect on how necessary my own problems have been in building my character, world view and sense of humour. Retrospectively laughing at things that mould you in a way that a life without adversity simply couldn’t.
Kai Humphries Tour Dates
14-19 April – The Greek (Melbourne International Comedy Festival)
23-26 April – Enmore Theatre (Sydney Comedy Festival)
