Harry Jun is back with a brand-new show titled ‘Friendship Safari’ that explores the trials and tribulations of friendship and much more.
If you’ve seen Harry before, you’ll know what you are in for. Plenty of jokes, audience interaction, fun self-drawn animations, and a deeper meaning. Although, this year, Harry’s one hour show wasn’t what I expected.
Harry’s brand of comedy is one that is raw, self-aware and is not afraid to go places that others might find a little too uncomfortable and controversial. Talking of how he struggles to maintain friendships but also found good friends in the most unlikely of places. Yet, there’s a deeper meaning to his Friendship Safari, it’s a masterful stroke of a powerful opinion piece that’s against the growing presence of Male Toxicity.
Although I’m aware of the radicalisation of the youth of today through extremist podcasts and online content, I didn’t know how bad it was. Harry speaks of this scourge that is sweeping the internet and has some eye-opening things to share about what is happening to young men around the world. Harry even openly speaks of his internal struggles of an ex-school-teacher and admits of pondering his return to the profession to help fight against all of this.
It isn’t all serious business though; Harry loves to chat to the audience. Crowd work is arguably the riskiest thing a comedian can do. It can go well, or it can blow up in your face. But Harry doesn’t seem to care! He will lean into it and if it doesn’t go well, he isn’t afraid to poke fun at himself in the process.
At a Harry Jun show, no one is safe! Aside from two people (including myself) at the front, the rest of entire front row was bare, with patrons choosing to hide in the further back rows, leading to some funny moments. Really, it doesn’t matter where you are seated, Harry will find you and pick you out. He executes this with such fierce confidence that it works wonders, especially when an audience member is willing to be involved.
Harry Jun’s Friendship Safari is more than just a comedy show. With sound effects and visual aids, mostly hand drawn and animated by himself, Harry uses his show to bravely highlight serious topics that we really need to have conversations about as a society. Everyone talks a big game about stamping out family violence and male toxicity, but what are they actually doing about it?
I was not expecting this from Friendship Safari, but I am understanding and thankful for it. Harry Jun is doing the hard work that so many of us should be doing. Harry is funny, fearless, and he addresses these topics with such strong, unfiltered and unapologetic conviction. It’s an intelligent humour delivered in a way that you’re sure to miss if you’re not paying enough attention. And you should. Whilst his audiences are usually like-minded folk, I hope that this show sparks conversations and encourages change, even if one laugh at a time.
Harry Jun is currently playing his Friendship Safari comedy show, as part of the 2025 Melbourne International Comedy Festival, at The Greek, Apollo until April 20th.
For more information and ticketing, visit:
https://www.comedyfestival.com.au/browse-shows/harry-jun-friendship-safari
https://harryjun.com
https://www.instagram.com/_harryjun_
Photography supplied.