"★★★★.5 Fantastic, Brilliant!" - The Edge, UK

From the East to Edinburgh, it's The Asian Comedy Showcase! Back for our third year, catch some of the best acts from all over Asia and from all over the world, along with one Token White act! Our performers have been seen on the BBC, Taskmaster, Netflix and various Asian TV Channels you won't recognize! Line-ups change daily, and hosted by Sam See (★★★★★ - One4Review)

August 17, 2025    Ed Fringe Review

The Asian Comedy Showcase was started three years ago at the 2023 Edinburgh Fringe Festival by award-winning Asian comic Sam See. For the past few years, it has brought some of the best Asian comics at the Fringe together to perform on the Free Fringe program, along with one token white comedian (you know, for the diversity?). It’s the perfect opportunity to get a taster of a wide variety of Asian comedians as they each perform for 10 minutes. Sam See is the enigmatic host, immediately getting the audience on side and effortlessly commanding them. Even when the audience isn’t particularly forthcoming during some (often dreaded) crowd work, See remains in control of the room and continues to delight and energise, especially as he introduces each act for the afternoon’s set.

... Click Here For Review

August 3, 2025    One4Review

The Asian Showcase is quietly becoming one of the standing institutions of the Fringe — a fast-paced, unpredictable comedy cocktail where Asian talent from around the world shares the stage with rising stars, seasoned pros, and the occasional “token straight white man.” The lineup changes daily, so you never quite know who’s going to show up — and that’s half the fun.

It all kicks off with a brilliant VT in the style of a ye olde Pathé newsreel, explaining what the Free Fringe is — because, let’s be honest, getting money out of an Edinburgh audience can be like squeezing soy milk from a brick. But it sets the tone perfectly and puts the room instantly at ease.

Holding it all together is the exceptional Sam See — a Singaporean powerhouse of a compère. With razor wit, sprite-like energy, and expert crowd control, he owns the room from the first word and doesn’t let go.

Here’s how it played out on the night:

Jess Lo
Originally from Hong Kong, now based in Bristol — the perfect aperitif for the evening. Charming, low-key, and a joke about Chinese medicine that could very well be a Fringe highlight. An understated delight.

Jen Zheng
A Northern Irish Chinese comic with infectious energy and some cracking cross-cultural takes. From Irish border jokes to why AI should never design your Fringe poster, she’s funny, fast, and completely watchable. Definitely one to keep an eye on.

Chris Nguyễn
Vietnamese Australian with the sleepy confidence of a koala that’s fallen out of a tree and landed in the middle of the Fringe. But make no mistake — he absolutely slayed. Smart, sharp writing, especially around gaslighting. A name to remember.

Paul Savage
The evening’s designated straight white male, and no disappointment. His observational material on hotels was razor-sharp and well-delivered. Should absolutely be on your radar.

Sonali Thakker
From India, and quite simply, a star in the making. In her short set, she had the room in the palm of her hand. If you like the structure and pace of Vir Das, she’s got that — but with her own distinct punch. Her “dog or kid” dilemma — a running trope this Fringe — felt fresh, funny, and was another contender for joke of the festival. Magnificent.

All in all, one of the best compilation shows at this year’s Fringe. No weak links, big laughs, and a brilliant way to discover some of the most exciting comics around. Definitely worth checking out — maybe even more than once. Click Here For Review