South African comedian Ian Badenhorst will be performing in Beijing this Saturday, July 11, with the comedy club version of his popular show, My Life in China. Based in Shanghai, Badenhorst is a seasoned performer in China's English-language comedy scene, having spent over a decade in the field and collaborating with many prominent international comedians visiting China.
Badenhorst has made history as the first foreign entertainer to receive a full-time visa for performing English stand-up comedy, paving the way for other international comedians to pursue it as a full-time profession. In 2025, he toured sold-out theaters across the country with the Spicy Comedy All Stars, while his solo show, My Life in China, has been well-received by both audiences and industry professionals for its relatable exploration of cultural differences, marriage, and adjusting to life in a new country.
Ahead of his headline performance in the capital, we spoke with Badenhorst about his journey into stand-up, his contributions to comedy history in China, and what audiences can look forward to this Saturday.
How long have you been doing stand-up, and what initially drew you to comedy?
I have been performing stand-up comedy for just over ten years, and I've been headlining for about three of those years. I've always had an interest in entertainment, and I worked as a comedy producer for five years. I began performing because the comedians I produced shows for encouraged me to get on stage, saying I was funny enough. In 2015, I resolved to try stand-up comedy before the year ended, so on December 30, 2015, I took the stage for the first time.
For those who may not be familiar with your work, how would you characterize your comedic style?
The comedy I perform in China, which has been tailored for an international audience, is primarily story-driven and anecdotal, as well as observational, featuring significant act-outs and humor that is quite accessible. However, my personal sense of humor tends to be quick-witted and occasionally a bit dark. Nevertheless, this particular show has a very positive tone.
South African comedian Ian Badenhorst is set to perform in Beijing this Saturday, July 11, with the comedy club rendition of his popular show, My Life in China.