Showko Showfukutei
Showko Showfukutei 笑福亭笑子 is an acclaimed Japanese female comedian, ventriloquist, professional Rakugo performer (Japanese traditional comedy), actor,[1] writer and speaker based in Melbourne. She has lived and worked in London, Tokyo,[2] Osaka, Singapore[3] and regularly performs internationally for TV, radio, comedy clubs, festivals and major events including the Edinburgh Fringe and Melbourne International Comedy Festival. Showko was a finalist on Australia’s Got Talent and has her own video special "Absolutely Normal"[4][5] on Amazon Prime Video in the US and UK.
Showko Showfukutei 笑福亭笑子 | |
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Born | |
Nationality | Japanese |
Occupation |
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Organization | Kamigata Rakugo Association |
Family | Showfukutei |
Website | showkocomedy |
Showko has a kooky clean comedy style and off-beat sense of humour that blends stand-up and ventriloquism to create a unique and hilarious hybrid appealing to all ages.
Showko also regularly performs Rakugo (Japanese traditional comedy) and she is a member of the Kamigata Rakugo Association 上方落語協会
Career
Showko did her Rakugo training with Rakugo Master Shōfukutei Kakushow[6] to become a professional Rakugo performer. Showko Showfukutei is a stage name awarded to her after completing a three-year Rakugo apprenticeship and she is the only fully trained professional Rakugo performer living outside of Japan.
Showko has written, produced and performed her own shows[7][8] at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe, Brighton Fringe (UK), Avignon Festival (France), Melbourne International Comedy Festival, Sushi Dictator,[9][10] The Butterfly Club,[11] Melbourne Fringe Festival[12],, The Athenaeum Theatre and was directed by Heath McIvor for her latest show Absolutely Normal[13] at the 2018 Melbourne International Comedy Festival at the Malthouse Theatre.
Showko has appeared on a Japanese TV show “Gooto Chikyu bin" グッと地球便[14] documenting her life and career, TV Tokyo “Sekai Naze Sokoninihonjin” 世界なぜそこに日本人海外で超有名人スペシャル , NHK “TsurubeShōfukutei Tsurube II no Kazokini Kampai” 鶴瓶の家族に乾杯 , Singapore (Channel NewsAsia: “Primetime Morning”) and Australia on Australia's Got Talent 2016 as a finalist, ABC TV for the "International Women's Day Debate"[15] as well as being interviewed on ABC National Radio with John Faine.[16]
Radio
Prior to becoming a comedian, Showko was a Radio Presenter and DJ with regular programs for Radio Osaka, FM Uji, Yes FM and Beach Station FM in Japan and FM96.3 at MediaCorp Singapore.
References
- "IMDB - Showko Showfukutei".
- "Japanese entertainer getting laughs and friends overseas with English performances".
- "Japanese Rakugo Performer Showko".
- "Amazon Prime Video - Absolutely Normal".
- "IMDB - Absolutely Normal".
- Rakugo Master “Kakushow Showfukutei
- "New Zealand Japan Festival" (PDF).
- "Japan Art Directory in Australia".
- "Herald Sun Showko in Sushi Dictator ★★★★½".
- Katherine Phelps
- "REVIEW: Showko's JAPANESE PUPPET RAGUKO". 16 June 2012.
- "Melbourne Fringe – Absolutely Normal". 28 September 2017.
- "Showko - Absolutely Normal - Melbourne International Comedy Festival 2018".
- “Good Chikyu bin"
- "ABC Radio presents a special Debate for International Women's Day: That Motherhood Is Overrated?". 23 February 2017.
- "What Makes You Laugh? Join Jon Faine for a special Conversation Hour Live". 14 March 2018.