Ethiopian-born, Perth-based comedian Joe White – AKA Tilahun Hailu – feels “bloody lucky” to live in Australia.

And in his comedy show Ethiopian & Still Not Hungry, he explains why, drawing on his family’s experiences of migrating to Australia as refugees and the challenges of transitioning to a new way of life.

A Fringe World regular since 2019, White has also played Melbourne International Comedy Festival, Sydney Comedy Festival and the Adelaide Fringe Festival. He comes to Fringe 2023 fresh from a recent performance tour of the US which, he says, has provided plenty more juicy stories for his show.

Seesaw Mag’s Nina Levy was keen to find out more.

Nina Levy: For Seesaw Mag readers who don’t know you, can you tell us a bit about yourself and your work?
  
Joe White: I am an ex-business banker turned full-time comedian.

I am one of six kids raised by a single mother (and I am definitely her favourite in case any of my siblings are reading this). We were all born in a refugee camp called Twawa, which used to border Ethiopia and Sudan, and we came to Perth in 1998 when I was eleven years old.

My family and I were on a humanitarian refugee visa, and this felt like winning the 100 million dollar lottery. So many try and don’t make it out, but we did!

We went from living on the streets and eating out of bins to survive, to a land filled with opportunities, hopes and dreams. Australia has truly taught me that I can be anything I want to be, as long as I am willing to back it up with hard work, dedication and a fair go.

I always used to make my family laugh, especially in times of hardship, and I got a kick out of seeing people happy and laughing. That’s why I know that being a comedian is not just a hobby. It’s my purpose.
  
NL: Tell us about Ethiopian & Still Not Hungry, the comedy show that you‘re performing at Fringe World.
 
JW: I have just returned from a three month comedy tour of America and boy, do I have lots of funny stories to share. I think it’s my best show to date! Australians who haven’t left Australia think they love this country, but trust me, you don’t truly love it until you’ve seen the rest of the world, because we are sooooooo bloody lucky here. I’m so glad this is the country we ended up migrating to.

This show also delves into stories about my family and our transition to the Australian way of life. They say “tragedy plus time equals comedy” and as we’ve been here for over 20 years, I think we can definitely find the humour in it now.

Come to the show and I’lI make you belly laugh so hard you’ll be coming back every year!

They say “tragedy plus time equals comedy” and as we’ve been here for over 20 years, I think we can definitely find the humour in it now.

NL: Take us behind the scenes – how do you come up with material for your shows?

JW: I love comedy, I love making people laugh and I love going on adventures. This is how I write my comedy show. Some comedians make up jokes, but I like to live in them ‘cause it makes life more interesting.
  
NL: What do you hope audiences will take away from Ethiopian & Still Not Hungry?

JW: I want them feeling that they got their money’s worth. That I made them forget about their everyday problems and worries, and they can walk away from my show with a belly full of laughs!  
 
NL: What’s next for you after Fringe World? 

JW: After Fringe World, I will be taking the show to the Melbourne International Comedy Festival and then to the BIGGEST arts festival in the world, the Edinburgh Fringe Festival.

Perth is my hometown, so I’m so happy I get to perform for my Perthians before I take the show on the road.

Catch Ethiopian & Still Not Hungry at The Pocket at The Pleasure Garden, 20-31 January 2023.

Pictured top is Joe White.

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