EDINBURGH 2023: Joe White Q&A

BWW catches up with Joe White to chat about bringing Joe White: Ethiopian and Still Not Hungry to the 2023 Edinburgh Festival Fringe.

Tell us a bit about Ethiopian and Still Not Hungry?

Joe White: Ethiopian and Still Not Hungry is packed full of personal stories about the journey my family took when we migrated to the West as Ethiopian refugees from Sudan. The different challenges we had to face, from homelessness, poverty, and keeping safe at night from kidnappers to the simple challenges of our new life in the West such as speaking the English language. 

For example, Mum asked for a 'kiss' at the shops because in Arabic, the language we spoke that means plastic bag but not in our new home country of Australia where the majority speak English and this left the shopkeeper confused and probably ready to give her one! There are many more hilarious examples but will leave it for the show. I am always grateful for the support I get from those who come out to see me so the show does tend to have some crowd interactions that always leave the crowds wanting more. My comedy styles are observational, one-liners, storytelling, racial humor, self-deprecating and crowd work so you will see all these styles during the show Joe White: Ethiopian and Still Not Hungry.

This show is my funniest work to date, I was born Tilahun Hailu in a refugee camp and now I tour the world as Joe White, a professional comedian, you can bet yourself there are many laughs to be had at my show. 

Why bring it to Edinburgh?

I have performed this show all over the world to sold-out crowds and it has been very well received. Winning awards and nominations along the way such as 'best comedy award' four years in a row at Fringe World and a 'critics comedy choice award'. so it is definitely time to debut it at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival.

Where else have you been before?

I have performed all over America including at the world-famous laugh factory in Hollywood and the Imrpove. I have also performed it in Montreal, Canada at the prestige Theatre St Catherine where I appeared in the New York Post dubbed 'Australia's answer to Trevor Noah'.

Do you think you know what to expect from the festival?

I have heard so many great tales from comedians who have previously attended the Edinburgh Fringe. All comedians and non-comedians have told me about the ups and downs of the Fringe, this is the biggest arts festival in the world and to make it here alone is a huge win. My expectation is to take it all in, grow from the experience as a person and a performer and make some new fans!

I am already excited about coming back the following year!

What would you like audiences to take away from your show?

I would love for audiences to walk away from my show having had such a great time that they feel like they are on a high. They start sharing stories about their favorite moments of the show and share them with their family and friends. This show is funny, raw and bound to leave everyone with an insight into what it's like for a migrant family (my family) made up of a single mum and six kids transitioning into the Western way of life.

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