It has been 6 years since Malaysian-Chinese comedian Kuah Jenhan took part in the Melbourne International Comedy Festival circuit.
Now, 6 years is a long time in between dance cards. During Kuah’s absence, our outlet started writing comedy festival reviews and more Asian comedians have come onto the scene since. But where has Kuah Jenhan been all this time and what exactly has he been doing? Well, in ‘Noted With Thanks’ he fills in the blanks.
Although Kuah Jenhan has been hustling in the international comedy scene for years, it was admittedly my first time witnessing his craft. Having never heard of Kuah Jenhan before, I wasn’t sure what to expect.
With Kuah’s wavy black hair, glasses and beaming smile, you’re instantly comfortable with him in the room. While some comedians may appear intimidating when they take to the stage (especially when you’re bold/silly like me and tend to sit in the front row), Kuah is the opposite of intimidating. He’s endearing and this is a good thing.
Kuah Jenhan is a master storyteller. Hilarious, heartfelt and engaging, each tale from Jenhan lips flowed so smoothly from one to the next, to the point where his entire audience were hanging on his every word. Listening to Kuah’s stories felt like being reunited with a dear friend or a distant cousin visiting from overseas, one that you’ve always enjoyed the company of but have not seen in years.
Kuah’s great stories included a ‘joke-off’ rap battle style with an 11-year-old castmate, being a VVIP at an event, and the useless lingo in an office setting that is not used anywhere else. These stories were so well received, many patrons were keeling with laughter or reaching for the closest tissue to dry their tears from laughing so hard.
Kuah Jenhan even unlocked a core memory for me at the mention of a song that I had not heard since I lived in Malaysia for a year and went to an international school. And let me tell you, it’s not everyday that you find a comedian with the ability to deliver so well, he makes you remember things from your childhood you had long since forgotten (or repressed).
It’s crazy to think that during Kuah Jenhan’s absence from the comedy festival circuit, diving into the office world during that lockdown era which we will not speak further of, Kuah considered quitting comedy altogether. Because seeing the boundless talents that Kuah Jenhan exhibited and possessed in ‘Noted With Thanks’ alone, I could only imagine the irreplaceable void and loss we could have gone through. Had Kuah ceased to share his glorious and juicy details with the world, he would have been missing for many, unfortunately, like a whole in the head. His talents would be missing from the industry and honestly, we wouldn’t have known any better.
Thankfully, this is not the case! That alternate universe does not exist and in this reality Kuah Jenhan is impressing old and new fans alike at this year’s Melbourne International Comedy Festival. I may not have known what to expect, taking a chance on a comedian I’ve not heard of. But what I received was a wonderfully eloquent and affectionately detailed saga about falling in love with comedy all over again.
Okay, I know what you may be thinking. No, you don’t have to be Asian to understand and appreciate Kuah Jenhan’s comedy. You just need to love the art of storytelling. Kuah Jenhan has become one of my favourite acts at this year’s Melbourne International Comedy Festival thus far, and I’m keen to see his return. Let’s just hope it doesn’t take another 6 years for him to come back.
Delightfully funny, wholesome and appealing, Kuah Jenhan’s ‘Noted With Thanks’ is perfection, filled with fascinating stories and a heartfelt reminder that – you are not just one thing.
(Also, Kuah, you mentioned you were disheartened when you received 4 stars the last time you visited the Melbourne International Comedy Festival. So, hopefully *this* review is the redemption arc you needed.)
Kuah Jenhan’s ‘Noted With Thanks’ is currently playing at the Trades Hall – The Meeting Room until April 21st as part of the 2024 Melbourne International Comedy Festival.
For more information and ticketing, please visit:
https://www.comedyfestival.com.au/2024/shows/kuah-jenhan
https://www.kuahjenhan.com
https://www.instagram.com/kuahjenhan