If you told Chris Wegoda ten years ago that one day he'd be telling jokes for a living, he wouldn't have believed you. However, this model-turned-actor-turned-comic's abrupt career change did our city a massive favour. Since co-founding The Comedy Club Bangkok (www.comedyclubbangkok.com, fb.com/ComedyClubBangkok) in 2014, Chris has been instrumental in bringing world-class comedians to Thailand, with the next big name, Eddie Izzard, set to perform on Feb 28 as well as The Magners International Comedy Festival that will be happening from Mar 23-25. We caught up with him at the Comedy Club Bangkok to chat about the evolution of Bangkok's English-language comedy circuit which includes both stand-up and improv comedy.
When did you realise you wanted to be professionally funny?
I'm a professional? Oh, I didn't know that, great! It all started when I decided to do an open mic. It was a complete one-off and I won. Well technically, I came second. The person who got first prize only told one joke and it was her 70th birthday. So, I think they kind-of gave it to her -- that's what I tell myself anyway. But jokes aside, that's when I fell in love with stand-up. I didn't really know what I was doing. I played a nervous character telling anti-humour jokes and long-winded stories that were so absurd that they ended up being funny. Somehow, I got the audience on my side. At that time there was virtually nothing in the way of a regular comedy night in Bangkok. I met some other budding comedians and I knew that if I really wanted to pursue stand-up and if Bangkok was going to have a scene, I was going to have to start something myself.
Photos courtesy of The Comedy Club Bangkok
Is that how the club came to be?
Sort of, yes. I began by running an open mic comedy night. That started as a monthly occurrence, and then, as its popularity grew, it became twice a month until we got a core crew. I started doing improv comedy shows with Drew McCreadie. I showed him the space above The Royal Oak and we decided to roll with it. Once the club opened it took Bangkok comedy to a whole new level.
How has the comedy scene evolved since the club began?
It's grown immensely. Having the club makes such a difference. You don't have that background noise to compete with -- people chatting or bartenders making drinks. But it also means there's a certain expectation on the performers. To get up on stage means you've got to put in some work. So, having a dedicated club has pushed the local comedians to be better. We also do workshops where we go over material and that has built a sense of community. And then there's the big international names we've hosted. For the local guys, to see professional comedians performing is educational. It's really pushing things forward.
Photos courtesy of The Comedy Club Bangkok
Speaking of pros, you've been bringing big guns in comedy here -- Jimmy Carr, Tom Rhodes and Eddie Izzard. How did you do it?
A little bit of luck and a lot of hard work. I've also received help from other promoters in Asia who have contacted me. It's just about getting into that circle. With Eddie, we've worked with other regional promoters to bring him out to Asia, and we've got some other big names in the mix as well as some other exciting plans. The last couple of comedians have been Brits so it would be fantastic to get one of the big American names -- Louis CK, Chris Rock, Amy Schumer. It's all possible, I think.
Who are your comic heroes?
Probably Jimmy Carr and Dave Chappelle -- I love Dave Chapelle. I also love Vic and Bob and all that absurd British nonsense -- the likes of John Cleese and well, too many to mention. Stand-up wasn't big on TV when I was growing up in the UK, it was more about the sketches, sitcom and improv stars that I grew up with.
They say funny guys have a dark side, does this apply to you?
I don't know about a dark side, but there's definitely some sort of insecurity or something to prove. Stand-up is one person on a microphone, saying "listen to me I have something to say". It's not a normal activity. You're bearing your arse. You're basically pulling down your pants, underwear and all, and saying "Look at it! Look at my arse and into my soul!". A normal person doesn't do that. It's a weird business to get into.
Photos courtesy of The Comedy Club Bangkok
Speaking of arse, would you rather, for the rest of your life, perform stand-up naked in front of a clothed audience or the other way around?
I've been known to take my shirt off. I think going full nude wouldn't be such a stretch.
For the rest of your life for every meal, what would you rather eat, som tum or tom yum goong?
I would rather eat chips. Thank you very much.
Would you rather live in a country forever ruled by Trump or Uncle Tu?
I love Prayut! He's going to make Thailand great again!
What's next for you?
All the work with the club keeps me busy but I really want to perform across Asia. I love Thailand and the audience here is fantastic, but it's time to spread my wings. For the club, we are looking to expand in different directions. 2017 is going to be great as long as the planet still exists! Oh, and I love my wife, I couldn't do what I do without her.
