When the Comedy Citadel was established in 2023 by Beijing-based comedian Donnie Fan and Chengdu-based comedian Nico TooMuch, they had ambitious aspirations for the English comedy scene in Beijing. Fast forward three years, the club now boasts its own dedicated theater, hosts weekly comedy events, has welcomed several prominent comedians from both China and abroad, and is poised to present its largest show yet. It's safe to say their grand plans have indeed materialized.
This Saturday (Apr 18), the Comedy Citadel will feature Halfie-Baby, a 90-minute headlining show by Donnie Fan in a 200-seat theater, marking a first for the comedy club. Ahead of the performance, we reached out to Fan to discuss how the Citadel has evolved over the past three years, what audiences can expect from his show, and how the English comedy scene in Beijing has progressed in recent years.
The Comedy Citadel has been active for three years and is preparing to stage its biggest show yet. What does it mean to you to host an event of this magnitude? It's a cliché to say it's been filled with blood, sweat, and tears. We don't want to count our successes before they happen; who knows, maybe the turnout will be low! However, the time devoted to perfecting stand-up has been substantial.
Running a club that caters to a diverse range of personalities with varying motivations and needs while keeping a vibrant community thriving is quite a challenge! My business partner, comedy partner, and friend Nico TooMuch and I constantly ponder this. After three years, having grown from one show a month to multiple shows weekly, our ongoing question is whether we can scale comedy in Beijing. If we can't, then what’s the point? If this show is successful, we’ll have the opportunity to bring in even bigger acts than we've had before. We hope the community will come out to support us!
Can you provide more details about your show this weekend, what it entails, and how it has evolved over time? Halfie-Baby (混血宝宝 in Chinese) is my 90-minute special, focusing on my life in China, my experiences as a stand-up comedian, my mixed-race background, seeking love in my mid-thirties, and my attempts to bridge cultural divides. I aim to be vulnerable and sincere on stage while delivering plenty of laughs.
Since my first show in 2021, there has been significant evolution in my performance. My first three years were about diving head-first into comedy, but following surgery to remove two tumors from my face in April 2025, I've realized the importance of slowing down and prioritizing my health. This has deepened my appreciation for my craft, the work I do, and what I wish to convey to my audience.
Topics I'll cover in my show include growing up mixed, having a single mother, navigating identity, and overcoming a serious illness. There will be plenty of humorous experiences from my life in various cities in China and abroad, awful dating stories, and even worse advice, all aimed at generating a good number of laughs!
When people ask how to define my comedy style, I attribute my influence to remarkable comics like Mike Birbiglia for narrative storytelling, John Mulaney for his exceptional callback techniques, and Russell Peters for his adeptness at navigating cultural confusion.
Shifting back to the regular schedule at the Comedy Citadel, what does a standard week look like?Absolutely! We hold shows and open mics every week! We always have a headlining show every Saturday night at 7:30 pm, and when we host special guests from around the globe, we often feature multiple headliners over the weekend. Additionally, we offer various open mics and showcases on Friday nights and Saturday afternoons. To get the most accurate schedule, it's best to follow our official account where we announce events weekly. (Follow our official WeChat: Comedy Citadel or 城堡喜剧)
What are some of the major achievements of the Citadel over the last three years? Our greatest achievement has simply been staying afloat and not giving up. The comedy landscape has been quite tumultuous since the Citadel's inception. We've faced significant challenges within the Beijing comedy scene and have adapted to the constant turnover of comedians. I take pride in our consistency and in creating a space for comedy lovers to enjoy themselves on the weekends.
I always aimed to bring an NYC-style of comedy to China, and I believe we’ve achieved that. Additionally, we've showcased an array of incredible talent over the past few years, which can't be overstated! Our comedy boot camps have also proven successful, with many participants now performing regularly overseas!
Are there any specific shows or comedians at Comedy Citadel that you feel particularly proud of? The Comedy Citadel launched with Dawn Wong, which was a fantastic start back in 2023. We've hosted Kavin Jay several times (Netflix), Graham Elwood (Netflix, HBO, etc.), Dr. Dee,
An interview with co-founder Donnie Fan about the Citadel, his forthcoming show, and additional topics.
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Still don't have plans for the weekend? Here's some inspiration for you!
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Still deciding on your weekend plans? Here's some inspiration for you!
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Still don't have plans for the weekend? Here's some inspiration for you!
An interview with co-founder Donnie Fan about the Citadel, his forthcoming show, and additional topics.