Hannan Azlan

Hannan Azlan
NationalityMalaysian
OccupationStand-up comedian
Years active2015-present
Websitehannanazlan.com

Hannan Azlan is a Malaysian stand-up comedian and ukulele player.

Early life

Azlan was born in England and grew up in Ampang, Malaysia.[1] By the age of 17, she knew she wanted to be an entertainer, initially focusing on theater and music. She started experimenting with stand-up comedy and began developing routines in 2015.[2] By 2016, she was performing stand-up at local comedy clubs full-time.[3]

Career

Azlan made her international comedy debut at the Singapore Fringe Festival in 2016.[1] The same year, she became the first woman and youngest comedian to win the Hong Kong International Comedy Competition at the age of 22.[4] She has also performed multiple times at the Melbourne International Comedy Festival.[5] Azlan has also performed as the opening act for fellow Malaysian comedian Ronny Chieng, who is a senior correspondent on Comedy Central's The Daily Show.[6]

Azlan is known for playing on a ukulele and performing in a melodic voice during her routines.[7] Azlan's performances contrasts her comic songs with edgier material, while also "skewer[ing] sexism, racism and gender stereotypes".[3] Comedian Jami Gong describes Azlan's act as "quite unique, definitely unusual, with the ukulele, funny, funny songs, charisma, stage presence – people love her".[8] Nylon has also praised Azlan for not relying on jokes about her own ethnicity or other stereotypes to be successful.[9]

In 2019, Azlan appeared on Comedy Central Stand-Up, Asia! for its fourth season.[9]

Awards

Azlan was shortlisted for the Women of the Future Awards Southeast Asia in the category of Arts and Culture.[10]

References

  1. ^ a b Tong, Geraldine (7 March 2018). "I'm very clumsy, I fell into stand-up comedy". Voiz Asia. Retrieved 6 May 2024.
  2. ^ Wong, Nicole (17 April 2018). "Malaysian comedian Hannan Azlan on discovering comedy and her unique stand-up". Meld Magazine. Retrieved 5 May 2024.
  3. ^ a b Graham-McLay, Charlotte (14 October 2017). "Heard the One About Asia's Comedy Scene? First, You'll Need a Permit". The New York Times. Archived from the original on 6 May 2023. Retrieved 5 May 2024.
  4. ^ Victor, Mark Mathen (24 September 2020). "Carving Her Own Niche". The Sun. Retrieved 6 May 2024.
  5. ^ "Hannan Azlan stumbles upon endearing awkwardness in 'Comedy Zone Asia'". Beat Magazine. 4 April 2018. Retrieved 5 May 2024.
  6. ^ "Hannan Azlan". TheStandUpClub.co.uk. 14 September 2023. Retrieved 6 May 2024.
  7. ^ Hassandarvish, Milad (10 November 2019). "Three Malaysian comics set to bring out their rib-tickling jokes at 'Comedy Central Stand-Up Asia'". Yahoo! News. Retrieved 6 May 2024.
  8. ^ Watt, Jarrod (30 October 2016). "A Malaysian walks into a bar with a ukulele, asks for Singaporeans, and..." South China Morning Post. Retrieved 6 May 2024.
  9. ^ a b "Stand-Up Comedians Hannan Azlan & Sam See Sit Down And Talk Shop". Nylon. 10 October 2019. Retrieved 8 May 2024.
  10. ^ Murugesan, Meera (17 March 2018). "Through the glass ceiling". New Straits Times. Retrieved 9 May 2024.