“Decrease Your Expectations” Subsequent Weekend at Lily Ma’s Beijing Comedy Debut

Shanghai based mostly comic Lily Ma will likely be making her Beijing comedy debut subsequent week along with her present Decrease Your Expectations.

The up-and-coming comedian brings cynical, self-deprecating, feminist comedy to the stage and will likely be acting at three totally different venues throughout Beijing from Sep 16-18. Forward of her present we talked to Lily about her journey as a performer.

Hello Lily, it’s nice to listen to that you simply’ll be making your comedy debut in Beijing! First issues first, how lengthy have you ever been doing stand-up comedy?
I hate to confess that it’s been nearly 4 years. Contemplating how little I’ve progressed, this quantity makes me mad at myself. Then once more, for the primary two years, I believe I didn’t even learn to inform jokes correctly, or the way to keep on stage for 5 minutes.

What made you resolve to start out doing comedy and the way did you get began?
I needed to do standup ever since I first watched a clip from Louis CK’s Hilarious particular once I was in excessive Faculty. After which I made a decision to really attempt it after watching my first open mic at Camel Shanghai. Strolling on stage in that loud sports activities bar was like strolling into my very own wizarding world. It is also why I needed to maneuver to Shanghai as a result of there are open mics there.

What was it like doing stand-up for the primary time?
I used to be SO nervous and my voice was shaking the entire time I used to be on stage. I did get some chuckles as a result of I believe folks simply discovered it humorous to see a woman so nervous whereas ruthlessly roasting her personal physique. It was a magical feeling. However I might by no means, ever hearken to that recording once more. 

What have been your finest and worst moments since doing comedy?
I’ve plenty of nice recollections. I met 99% of my vital pals by means of comedy. I believe my favourite second was the evening I carried out on this large room for Comedy Puddle (a membership that was pressured to shut after their first present) and I KILLED. Folks chanted my identify after the present, I actually felt like a rock star, though saying that feels sort of gross looking back.
 
I’ve bombed so many instances and carried out in lots of silent rooms, however If we’re speaking in regards to the absolute worst, I believe that occurred once I was in Wuxi. It was a Music & Comedy Halloween get together and folks simply didn’t need to watch comedy, mainly I used to be drowned out by the vitality of the group. My pals (Kurt and Simeon) need to yell at folks to make them respect my presence and hearken to my jokes. However after that, I believe I can mainly do any room as a result of it could’t get any worse than that!

What comedians would you say have influenced you most?
I might in all probability say Louis CK as a result of he’s actually the explanation why I like comedy and I nonetheless hearken to his particular time and again, although with some guilt for certain, contemplating his controversies. However I additionally hearken to many younger various comedians like Jerrod Carmichael, Josh Johnson, Michael Che and Taylor Tomlinson, Rose Matafeo, and James Acaster.

Your upcoming present is known as Decrease Your Expectations. How did you provide you with this identify?
I identical to to make myself the underdog, that method possibly I can get laughs with the least quantity of labor. That is a joke, by the way in which. It is extra of a self-deprecating theme that goes on in my act. Additionally, there’s a stereotype that Chinese language and ladies should not humorous so I sort of needed to play with that.

With none spoilers (or heightening of expectations!), are you able to inform us a bit about your act?
It may be plenty of offensive jokes that concentrate on each women and men. Count on plenty of sexual frustration and plenty of household rants. In case you love your self and grew up pleased you in all probability will not relate, however in case you are shy and unconfident about your selections always, this is likely to be the present for you. 

Will this present be your first time performing in Beijing, if sure how are you feeling about it?
This will likely be my first time performing in Beijing and I’m nervous and excited. Through the previous couple of years of touring round China, I discover that totally different cities have a unique sort of humor. Shanghai could be very numerous and loves intelligent/darkish jokes, however some cities are very “Optimistic Power Solely” and can take your jokes like they’re information and need to debate about them with you. I simply hope Beijing will chill out and have enjoyable with me. And hopefully, there will likely be no youngsters there seeking to be taught English.

You lately toured with Donnie Fan on his From Hero to Zero tour. Inform us about that.
He was a sweetheart, handled me good and actually confirmed me how a lot touring is a hustle. He put plenty of thought into how he introduced the present to the viewers, and I discovered lots. And we met plenty of loopy folks with George Du too. It was actually an expertise.

Lastly, any phrases of recommendation for different budding comedians on the market?
In case you’ll pardon a bit extra self-deprecation, I do not assume I’m certified to provide any recommendation. All I can say is simply maintain doing it if it is what you’re keen on.

By means of all of the seemingly meaningless open mics, ready in a bar as a substitute of getting enjoyable with pals, one can find what crucial issues in your life are, whether or not it is your profession or your character. Comedy gave me plenty of braveness and power and I hope the identical factor can occur to any budding comedians on the market too.

Lily Ma will likely be performing Decrease Your Expectations on the following dates and places:

Sep 16, 7.30pm at Lipi Information, 798
Sep 17, 7pm at Gatsby’s
Sep 18, 6pm at Basepoint, Shunyi

Early chook tickets are RMB 80 (In the present day Sep 11 is the final day for the early chook value), after that tickets are RMB 100, tickets may be bought by scanning the QR code within the poster above

READ: A Handful of Bars To Play Table Shuffleboard in the Capital

Photos: courtesy of Lily Ma