Alumni In Conversation

To Vivek Mahbubani, it was the need to be in control of his own working hours that set him off on his career as a comedian. “I used to dream about not needing to wake up before 9am every morning to get ready for work!” he said. Those dreams included not just flexible working hours, but also a job where he could fully utilise his unconventionality and imagination. The answer? Stand-up comedy.

Initially, Vivek went into website design following his graduation from CityU, and only performed stand-up shows in his free time. Eventually, he decided the latter was actually his dream vocation. In 2017, he quit his job to become the only bilingual stand-up local comedian proficient in both Cantonese and English.

Like Vivek, CityU graduate Tim Chan Lok-tim felt something was missing from his life as an IT professional. In 2018, he decided to follow his passion and became a stand-up comedian.

While a drastic change, the move was not completely unexpected given that Tim had taken part in his first stand-up comedy competition in his second year at CityU. The competition also had the great benefit of bringing him together with Vivek, the guest performer at the event. The encounter proved to be the start of their working partnership. In 2011, they formed Viveknfriends with Matina, another well-known stand-up comedian. In 2017, they renamed themselves Hall of Laughs.

Vivek's positive attitude earned him a Hong Kong Spirit Ambassador Prize in 2013 and an Outstanding Young Person Award in 2018, being recognised as a great role model for the next generation. His goal is to bring hope to Hong Kong through stand-up comedy.
Vivek憑著積極樂觀的生活態度，於2013年獲選為年度「香港精神大使」，2018年更獲頒發「⼗大傑出青年」，成為年輕人的模範。他為自己訂下目標，要透過棟篤笑演出，為香港⼈帶來希望。

Overcoming not-so-funny moments

Their journey from amateur artistes to full-time stand-up comedians was not all fun and laughter.

Asked if they have had audiences who did not react well to them, the pair answered in unison: “Of course!” While stand-up comedy is simple in its performance style, they explained, that is also what makes it so difficult to engage the audience and get them to laugh. The reaction of those watching the show gives them real-time feedback as to whether they have pulled off a routine successfully or not.

A show's outcome also usually depends on several other external factors, for example, venue, lighting, audio equipment, social situation, and the audience's mood, among others. That's why, if circumstances permit, the duo always go to the performance venue beforehand to assess the surroundings to come up with “preventive measures”. For, if something suddenly happens during the show, the duo need to be able to control the situation by reassuring the audience, and keeping their attention focused on the comedians and the punchlines.

Trick of the trade

The two comics often perform together overseas, including at the Melbourne International Comedy Festival – considered one of the top three comedy events in the world – every year since 2017. The Melbourne Festival lasts for four weeks, attracting tens of thousands of comedy lovers from around the world. Performers' reputation, skill, and the audience's reaction are all reflected in ticket sales, making it a major test of a comedian's appeal.