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In Trends’ Episode 13, David Barrett delves into the journey of Chris Wegoda, founder of the Comedy Club Bangkok. Wegoda discusses transitioning from teaching to shaping Bangkok’s English-language comedy landscape, emphasizing his role in nurturing both local and international comedic talent.
In Bangkok, one man has carved a niche that resonates with uproarious laughter and comedic brilliance. Chris Wegoda, the Founder and Director of the Comedy Club Bangkok, takes center stage in Episode 13 of Trends, sharing his remarkable journey from a half-Thai Brit to the maestro of Bangkok’s English-language comedy scene.
Born in the UK to Thai heritage, Chris embarked on an unconventional path that led him from the confines of teaching in a bilingual school classroom in Bangkok to the limelight of the comedy stage. Initially treading the teaching route in Thailand, Chris found that fate guided him towards his true calling – the world of comedy.
A fixture in Bangkok’s comedy landscape, Chris is not just a comedian but also a curator of comedic experiences. Chris owns the Comedy Club Bangkok, a haven for both seasoned and emerging talents. The club, perched above the Royal Oak pub on Sukhumvit Soi 33/1, has become the epicenter of laughter, hosting everything from stand-up nights to improv extravaganzas.
Chris’s journey into the world of comedy began with open mic nights, initially starting The Londoner Bangkok Comedy Collective open mic and improv sessions around Bangkok, eventually settling with The Comedy Club Bangkok above the Royal Oak in 2014. Since then, the club has weathered the storm of a COVID lockdown, emerging stronger, with its 120-seat venue a testament to the resilience of laughter.
The Comedy Club Bangkok caters to an eclectic audience, primarily expatriates seeking a slice of homegrown humour. International headliners, including the renowned British comedian Jimmy Carr, at The Westin Grande Sukhumvit and Chappelle Show Co-Creator and Netflix star Neal Brennan gracing The Comedy Club Bangkok stage all adds to the allure brand and comedy in Bangkok. Yet, Chris remains committed to fostering local talent, organizing showcases that spotlight both expat and Thai comedians.
Navigating the diverse demographic of Bangkok’s audience, Chris acknowledges the challenges in crafting content that resonates universally. The club’s success stories for 2023 include sell-out shows featuring the ever-popular Singaporean comedian Kumar at the Westin Grande Sukhumvit, proving that laughter transcends borders.
As the festive season unfolds, Chris unwrapped the gift of laughter with the Christmas Improv Comedy Show earlier in December. It was billed as a jingle-filled extravaganza that added a dash of hilarity to the holiday spirit. From improv shows such as NOFLIX to WELCOME BACK TO SCHOOL and THE ROCKY HORROR IMRPOV SHOW, the Comedy Club Bangkok continues to push comedic boundaries, recently hosting names such as top Comedy Central and late-night chat show comic Matthew Broussard, Irish legend David McSavage and their first LGBTQ comedian at the club with Joe Sutherland.
Every Tuesday, the laughter extends beyond the Comedy Club Bangkok to its sister venue, THE LEVEL UP COMEDY CLUB, where stand-up enthusiasts can flex their comedic muscles at P.J. O’Brien’s Pub.
Beyond the stage, Chris Wegoda is on a mission to demystify the art of comedy. Through workshops, he imparts the essence of structure, urging aspiring comedians to embrace the set-up, punchline dynamic. Recognizing the gender disparity in comedy, Chris emphasizes the unique perspectives that women bring to the stage, creating a space where diversity thrives, bolstered by the club’s new partner and co-creative director Jennie Pines.
In a cultural landscape where stand-up comedy is still finding its feet among Thai comedians, who currently mix Thai and Western forms of comedy, Chris envisions a future where the Comedy Club Bangkok becomes a catalyst for change. From traditional stand-up to improv workshops in Thai, the club’s ambitions are as boundless as the laughter that echoes within its walls. And so, the future of Chris’ career is no laughing matter, because he is deadly serious when it comes to being funny.
As Chris Wegoda continues to shape the comedic narrative in Bangkok, one punchline at a time, the Comedy Club Bangkok stands as a testament to the transformative power of laughter, proving that in the Thai capital, comedy is not just a performance – it’s a celebration of life’s absurdities, told with a twinkle in the eye and a roar of laughter that reverberates through the soul.
ComedyClubBKK.com
Facebook.com/ComedyClubBangkok
instagram.com/comedyclubbkk
David Barrett is a MICE Consultant, Marketing Strategist and digital video advocate. Founder of DBC Group, Member of Institute of Place Management (MIMP) his motto is “Everybody has a story to tell. Let me tell yours.”
David is a long-term resident of Bangkok having lived and worked in the Thai capital for more than 32 years. He is recognised in the Thai tourism and hospitality industry for his passion for promoting Thailand, his love of Thai food, and his creative approach to marketing.
64 years young, David is a Brit in Bangkok. Born in St Helier, UK, he returned to the UK and set up home in Cornwall during the COVID pandemic. With business back as usual, David has returned to Thailand. He’s a man on a mission to interview leaders and trend-setters in business, sustainability, the arts and entertainment. You can watch his weekly conversations on Trends YouTube channel.
