After seeing Jenny Tian online through viral videos over the years, I finally got the chance to see her in person, live in action.
Welcomed by loud cheering fans to a sold-out show at Melbourne Town Hall. Jenny Tian took the stage decked out in a denim jumpsuit. Unfortunately, the stage lights for this show malfunctioned and weren’t working, so Tian embraced the intimately lit town hall vibes.
The Australian comedian was ready to share her recent travel adventures to the UK with her new show ‘Jenny’s Travels’. She explained it had been a while since she was back on Australian ground, as she took a leap and moved to the UK to embrace her late 20’s before she became a ‘true adult’.
From topics of her American dream, her love for Home Alone 2, egg freezing, her mother’s job back in China, and cultural stereotypes; Jenny Tian brought endless laughter to her audience.
Jenny Tian’s style of storytelling is one similar to a friend conversing with you and they go on a tangent. One second, she’s talking about her overprotective mum, the next we’ve jumped to talking about Trump; and before we know it, we’re complaining about the price of electricity. Despite the abrupt changes, it was engaging from start to finish and filled with fun.
As a fellow Chinese, it was very relatable to hear about her mother’s thoughts and the control that Jenny’s mother had on her, even as an adult, dealing with the everyday alternate realities that Asian parents live by and us children trying to navigate them. I wish I too had the courage to move to the other side of the world like Jenny has and experience the adventures that it brought her, although ideally not as dramatic in fashion.
Despite the lack of stage lights in the Melbourne Town Hall room, plus Jenny Tian probably feeling barer than she ever has, Tian did an excellent job connecting with her audience and confidently told her tales of trying to get laid while looking at every individual straight in the eye. It probably felt more awkward than she ever intended.
I, for one, am looking forward to Jenny’s upcoming adventures of her US tour and I’m sure there will be lots of exciting stories that will come from her achieving her American dream.
Jenny Tian’s ‘Jenny’s Travels’ is currently on at Melbourne Town Hall – Supper Room as part of the 2025 Melbourne International Comedy Festival until April 20.
For more information and ticketing, visit:
https://www.comedyfestival.com.au/browse-shows/jenny-s-travels
https://www.instagram.com/_jennytian
Photography supplied.