EDINBURGH 2023: Review: KUAN-WEN HUANG: ILHA FORMOSA, Gilded Balloon
Kuan-Wen Huang: Ilha Formosa runs until 27 August
Ilha Formosa is the debut hour from comedian Kuan-wen Huang. Originally from Taiwan, he aims to teach us the history of his country and stress that is it really not part of China.
Ilha Formosa means ‘beautiful island’ and that is what the Portuguese people who discovered it called Taiwan in the 16th century.
There’s a lot of play on racial stereotypes and he tries to guess where other Asian audience members are from and then discusses stereotypes of other European audience members which is all taken in good nature.
Now living in London, Huang explains how he loves his country and his family- but from a distance. His mother is the typical tiger mum, someone that will accept only the best from her child. It’s all very playful but there’s a sense that the jokes about her overbearing nature are definitely rooted in truth.
It’s surprisingly educational and although its not huge laughs throughout, it is consistently amusing.
Get Broadway News on WhatsApp
Receive the latest updates, breaking news, and exclusive coverage from Broadway directly in WhatsApp.
|
Antigone 1989: A Town Hall Musical Gilded Balloon Patter House (8/05-8/29) |
|
Elvis in Chaos Lime Studio at Greenside @ George Street (8/07-8/15) |
|
Learning to Human Gilded Balloon Teviot (8/05-8/30) |
|
|
Giovanni: Unstoppable Alhambra Theatre (4/11-4/11) |
|
Shamilton! The Improvised Hip Hop Musical Assembly George Square Studios - One (8/05-8/30) |
|
Argonauts ZOO (Playground 2) (8/07-8/30) |
|
One Man Poe: The Black Cat and The Raven Greenside Venue @ Riddles Court (Willow Studio) – Venue 16 - 322 Lawnmarket, Edinburgh EH1 2PG (8/07-8/29) |
|
A STAN IS BORN! – Encore Gilded Balloon Patter House (8/06-8/16) |
|
The List Festival Awards W Edinburgh (8/28-8/28) |
|
To Do Lists Pleasance Courtyard (The Green) (8/05-8/31) |
Reader Reviews
To post a comment, you must register and login.