one4review | On 14, Aug 2026

Compilation shows can be a bit hit-and-miss at the Fringe, usually falling into a category where the premise doesn’t quite match the talent, or the talent doesn’t quite match the premise. This is not the case here, and have quite a crowd too.

He Huang

Your opener, Chinese-Australian resident He Huang, is being wonderfully inventive in the heat in this Covid cupboard.

Bubble tea, haggis, probably the most Chinese meal you could ever have go down well. The phrase “Leftover Ladies” draws a few gasps from the audience, too.

It’s a sharp, short set, nice to see a comedian bringing the heat to the mic under these conditions as well. Huang has the material and delivery to cut through the sweaty surroundings, and she leaves the room audience considerably warmer, and they don’t mind.

Ting Lim.

A Singaporean comedian who has lived in Australia for 15 years, Ting Lim delivers a wonderful set with plenty going on.

Singapore noodles, apparently, are not a national dish, while ordering coffee with her name often results in being called Tiny Tim. Then there’s the joy of filling out forms and discovering that Singapore isn’t even in the drop-down menu.

It’s an absolute delight, with Lim finding laughs in the little frustrations and absurdities of everyday life.

Nick Schuller

Our token white man in the set, and you couldn’t get anyone better to close off, or paler.

Opening barb about how the air-conditioner is dressed in a burka sends the crowd wild, and the problematic issues of how Harry Potter names are changed across countries.

Of course, get some local references, and the point about Scotland drinking Boston dry during the recent World Cup and the rap music similarities with your family members is well constructed.

However, he saves the best for last with a swimming bit that people would fear to tread, and it is potentially one of the routines of the Fringe.

It’s another Free Fringe gem showcasing comedians at the top of their game.

****
Reviewed by Steve H
Laughing Horse at the Pear Tree
Until 23 August
16.00 (1 hour)