Top class comedic imports act on Shanghai's laughter deficit
For so many of us in Shanghai with a limited grasp of the local dialects, it can often seem like we live our lives as observers–frequently mystified by what is going on around us. Okay, you probably won’t miss knowing quite how graphically those two taxi drivers are insulting each other's mothers, but what about the good stuff? To not be in on a joke every now and then really is a tragedy. All hail, then, The Punchline Comedy Club and their imminent arrival in Shanghai, ready to help out all of us who have a deep jones for some belly laughs–in English.

Founded in 1994, The Punchline Comedy Club is the brainchild of former Hong Kong resident and StarPlus TV presenter John Moorhead. Frustrated by the lack of quality entertainment available on the island, he got involved in his local comedy club and started taking out the trash. "The first thing I did was get rid of the amateur [comedians] and fly over some professionals," says Moorhead. Thanks to overwhelming support from audiences and performers, Punchline has continued to import comedians from the UK, Australia and North America to entertain expats throughout Asia.

Moorhead expects to see a repeat of previous roaring successes when he brings a brilliant triple header to Shanghai on February 22. Ricky Grover and Stephen Grant will be recognizable to British TV audiences, the former most famous for his spot-on hard case caricature "Bulla" and his role in BBC 2's Orrible. Joined by mustachioed Canadian Glenn Wool, all three will be fired up after touring through Hong Kong, Manila and Phuket when they land in our laps at the end of February.

And what do they expect from our multinational crowd? "Expats do have a specific mentality about them," says Stephen Grant. "The kind of person who decides to up-sticks to start a new life on the other side of the world won't think he has a huge amount to lose by shouting something out at a comedy show." However, Grant won't be losing any sleep over you irascible loud mouths. "It's unlikely you'd be on the receiving end of abuse from somebody funnier than you. And if you are–give up your job!" he quips.

Grant will be guaranteed to revive flagging humor at O'Malley's this month. Get out and get involved, but be warned: leave the bitching to the professionals, or you might end up sweating in the spotlight.

John Lynch