Emo Majok’s journey to stand-up is not a typical one. Born in a refugee camp in Ethiopia to Sudanese parents who had fled their homeland, the family moved to Kenya before being sponsored to go to Australia. A turbulent first few years for Emo to say the least. But being an African Australian (there aren’t many) has given him a particularly unique and interesting take on life, which he uses here to great effect. He gently pokes fun at racial stereotypes, such as old white Aussie ladies’ reaction to a tall, Black guy introducing themselves to them or when he copped off with a white girl. The latter material has an extra frisson by the presence of two mixed-race couples in the audience.

It’s a surprise to learn that he is a relative newcomer to stand-up; by the time he competed in the final of Raw Comedy at the Melbourne Comedy Festival he’d only performed a handful of gigs compared to his fellow competitors. Of course covid restricted his ability to gig, though due to the state-by-state quarantines in Australia he did manage to hone his skill on the Western Australian ‘circuit’. But his relative inexperience doesn’t show and he’s perfectly at home on stage. Assured, comfortable and with plenty of good material for this debut hour. 

Underbelly Bristo Square, until 29 Aug, 8.30pm.