When the Comedy Citadel was established in 2023 by comedian Donnie Fan from Beijing and Chengdu's Nico TooMuch, they had ambitious aspirations for the English comedy landscape in Beijing. Fast forward three years, the comedy club has secured its own dedicated theater for weekly comedy events, hosted numerous prominent comedians from both China and abroad, and is preparing for its largest show yet. It's fair to say these grand plans have indeed materialized.
This Saturday (April 18), the Comedy Citadel will showcase Halfie-Baby, a 90-minute headline performance by Donnie Fan, marking a debut for the club in a 200-seat theater. Prior to the event, we spoke with Fan to learn more about the changes at the Citadel over the past three years, what audiences can anticipate from his show, and how the English comedy scene in Beijing has progressed in recent years.
The Comedy Citadel is celebrating its three-year anniversary and is about to host its largest show. What does it mean to put on a show of this magnitude? It’s a cliché, but it truly has involved a lot of effort and sacrifice. We don't want to assume success before it actually happens—who knows, maybe no one will attend! Yet, the dedication to honing our stand-up skills has been immense.
Running a club that caters to a diverse array of personalities, each with their own motivations and needs, all while nurturing a flourishing community is challenging. It's a constant query my business partner, comedy collaborator, and friend Nico TooMuch and I ponder. However, after three years of expanding from one monthly show to multiple weekly performances, we face the question: can we scale comedy in Beijing? If we can't, then what is our purpose? Hence, if this show does well, we’ll have the opportunity to bring in even larger acts than before. We hope the community turns out for us!
Could you elaborate on your show this weekend, what it encompasses, and how it has evolved over the years? Halfie-Baby (混血宝宝 in Chinese) is my 90-minute special that revolves around my life experiences in China, my journey as a stand-up comedian, my mixed-race background, and my quest for love in my thirties while navigating cultural differences. I aim to be very open and genuine on stage while delivering plenty of laughs.
The show has significantly transformed since my first performance in 2021, reflecting my growth during that time. In my initial three years of comedy, I was all-in, but after undergoing surgery to remove two tumors from my face in April 2025, I’ve learned to slow down and prioritize my health, which has deepened my appreciation for my craft, the work I do, and the message I wish to share.
In my show, expect discussions on topics such as growing up biracial, being raised by a single mother, identity struggles, and overcoming a serious illness. There will be plenty of humorous fish-out-of-water scenarios set in various cities across China and around the globe, as well as unfortunate dating experiences and poor advice, along with lots of great humor!
When it comes to defining my comedic style, I’d say that while these other comics are far superior to me, I’m heavily influenced by Mike Birbiglia's narrative style, John Mulaney's masterful callbacks, and Russell Peters’ knack for cultural humor.
Looking beyond this weekend's show, the Comedy Citadel regularly features comedy performances. What does a typical weekly schedule look like? Absolutely! We host shows and open mics every week! One fixture is our headline show every Saturday at 7:30 PM, and when we have special guests from around the globe, we often have multiple headliners throughout the weekend. Additionally, we offer flexible open mics and showcases on Friday nights and Saturday afternoons. For precise show times, it’s best to follow our official account, where we announce events weekly. (Follow our WeChat: Comedy Citadel or 城堡喜剧)
What have been some of Comedy Citadel's most significant accomplishments over its three-year history? Our paramount achievement is simply staying afloat and not giving up. The comedy scene has faced numerous challenges since the inception of Citadel, navigating a fluctuating roster of comedians joining or leaving the scene. I’m immensely proud that we have remained stable and provided a refuge for those who enjoy comedy and wish to have a good time on weekends.
I always aspired to introduce a NYC-style comedy vibe to China, and I believe we’ve succeeded. We have also brought a tremendous amount of exceptional talent over the years, which is no small feat! Moreover, our comedy boot camps have been quite successful, with many participants now performing regularly abroad!
Are there any specific performances or comedians that have graced the Comedy Citadel stage that you particularly take pride in? Comedy Citadel launched with Dawn Wong, which was incredible back in 2023. We've showcased Kavin Jay multiple times (Netflix), Graham
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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.
An interview with co-founder Donnie Fan about the Citadel, his forthcoming show, and additional topics.