Diana Nguyen is back! Returning to Melbourne International Comedy Festival with her show – Pedestal.
Diana has been a staple at the comedy festival in the past few years, and after a two-year break, festival fans were lucky to have the bubbly comedian grace the Melbourne stage with her presence once more, with Melbourne audiences collective keen to see what our favourite Vietnamese Australian comedian has been up to since we last caught up.
Writing her latest work on her own, this is quite possibly Diana Nguyen’s most mature, intelligent and cohesive comedy work she’s ever created. Everything that leaves Diana’s lips during this show flows naturally. In some instances, you forget you’re listening to the stories of a stand-up comedian due to the way that Diana shares her adventures. It’s like catching up with group of friends. We just need the drinks!
Glowing, wearing stylish ‘pyjamas’ and stepping onto the stage dancing, this high energy stand-up comedy show is unapologetically sincere, with a few snorts along the way. Despite being no stranger to the comedy festival circuit, Diana Nguyen’s new show feels energetic and surprisingly refreshing.
From tales of travelling, her relationship with her Vietnamese Australian family and being an auntie, caving to her curiosity, audacious dating escapades, unexpected song dedications, new experiences, body positivity, self-love and wanting to be a mother, Diana Nguyen remains her bold authentic self, and is one that festival fans have grown to know and love.
You don’t even need to have seen Diana before to enjoy this show, but it helps! The best part is, sometimes the craziest stories are the most unbelievable, but I assure you that all the stories Diana tells are very, very real. Although, one would not expect any less from this bold and brave funny woman, who will make you laugh until your face actually hurts.
Equipped with only a microphone, microphone stand, some sound bites and her big heart which she shamelessly wears on her sleeve, there’s a fair bit of audience interaction in the show (or just flirting in general), but it’s all done with her signature sunshine vibes, love and care. There are no bells and whistles in this show, just Diana being a baddie and honestly, that’s more than enough.
It’s hard not to leave Diana Nguyen’s show without a smile on your face. Especially when this is Diana Nguyen’s best show yet. And if you weren’t already emotionally subscribed to her adventures, you will be by the end of this show. Add me to the list of patrons keen to see what she does next.
Diana Nguyen’s Pedestal is currently on at QT Melbourne’s Paramount Room as part of the 2026 Melbourne International Comedy Festival until April 11.
For more information and ticketing, visit:
https://www.comedyfestival.com.au
https://www.diananguyen.com.au
https://www.instagram.com/realdiananguyen
Photography by Nick Robertson.