Australian stand-up ready to make Seoul laugh
Australian stand-up comedian Marcus Ryan / Courtesy of Marcus Ryan
Marcus Ryan has performed comedy in 56 countries, and Korea is looking to be his 57th.
"I'm told I must have soju and Korean BBQ," the 44-year-old Australian told the Korea Times, adding, "Or do you just call it BBQ?"
Having enjoyed a baseball game in Japan, he wants to experience one in Seoul as well and sheepishly admits to looking forward to visiting the DMZ. And, obviously, he's enthusiastic to make people laugh. "I'm excited to do a couple of shows and see what local audiences are like!"
Ryan has been doing stand-up for nearly 25 years. He started out living in a small town, driving more than two hours each way to deliver a five-minute set. And yet he knew that he couldn't give it up — "Comedy was in my blood, and I didn't really have a choice!" he said.
At one of the shows he will perform in Seoul, titled Eat, Pray, Walk, he will touch on the time he walked the Camino De Santiago, a famous pilgrimage. Although he wasn't really sure of his motivation to do the walk and sometimes questioned why he was doing it, he said the 1,000-plus kilometer-long route only provided two difficulties, "tendonitis and blisters."
But is he traveling for vacation or for work? Ryan said that it's both, "I don't know the last time I ever went on a holiday and didn't try to line up a show."
After doing shows in Europe while living in Britain, he realized he didn't need to choose between having a job he enjoyed and seeing more of the world. "I've been very blessed to be able to combine my two greatest passions, travel and being silly on stage!"
Marcus Ryan dresses for a day of work. Courtesy of Marcus Ryan
Having done comedy in so many different countries, Ryan has received some on-the-ground insights into the varying tastes of different nations. He was almost arrested in India, which he considers "a fast lesson in learning what you can and can't say in certain countries," and one time someone put a curse on him.
How does he avoid such confrontations and make sure he connects with his audience? "I like to watch the comedians on stage before me to hear what the audience is laughing at," he said. "Then I can adjust my approach to a gig."
Of course, doing stand-up for diverse communities can be tricky. Ryan says he tries to make fun of every nationality in the room as well as throwing in some self-deprecation, as then the audience knows it's done with good intentions.
"It can be harder work if it's a country that has never had English-speaking comedy before," Ryan admitted, "but they tend to be so up for it that the energy and support is even more enjoyable than playing a regular club in Australia."
He won't say the worst place he's performed — "I don't want to be boycotted," he said — but names Ireland as one of his favorite nations where he's done comedy. "I'm part Irish, they have a great sense of humor, and I've always loved gigging there."
Although he does adapt his sets to every place he goes, as well as throwing in local flavor into what he's saying as well as picking up new material for future gigs.
He said, "I find that most audiences worldwide are the same: if you are funny and the crowd likes you, then it's going to be fun."
Marcus Ryan / Courtesy of Marcus Ryan
For such a seasoned traveler, Ryan has only one piece of advice for dealing with airplanes: “earplugs.”
Marcus Ryan will be headlining a stand-up show at 9.30 p.m. on Aug. 30 at KYLDN Social Club near Noksapyeong Station, with host Steve Gallas and openers Arthur Minsu, Alisha Feitosa and Paul Russell. Tickets are 10,000 won in advance or 15,000 won at the door.
He will also be performing at Eat, Pray, Walk at 8 p.m. on Sept. 5, also at KYLDN Social Club. Tickets are 10,000 won and can be purchased in advance or at the door. Both shows are produced through Stand Up Seoul by Kristen Pimley.
Visit itsmarcusryan.com for more information or @standupseoul on Instagram for details about the show and to reserve tickets.
Rory Kelly is a writer, actor, improviser and stand-up comedian based in Seoul. He's also often spotted not quite winning pub quizzes in the Itaewon area.