During the third week of the 2024 Melbourne International Comedy Festival, comedian Sean Diao casually joked about his father being tortured and killed by the Chinese government as a warning to deter Sean from mocking his home country. A week after the Festival, Sean received a WeChat message from his uncle, informing him that his father was in the ICU with a severe gallbladder infection and likely would not survive.

Three days later, Sean woke up early, frantically trying to book the earliest flight home to attend his father’s funeral. In this show, Sean tackles a range of controversial topics, including LGBTQ+ issues, J.K. Rowling, religion, and cultural beliefs. He also delivers provocative jokes about his father’s funeral.

Sean’s comedic style is known for pushing boundaries and embracing dark humour, and this show is no exception. It received mixed reviews, with some praising his boldness while others criticised the content for being overly controversial. ‘His observations of the irregularities and paradoxes in human nature are funny and endearing.

‘ Weekend Notes ‘Blending simplicity and a dash of racism with humour.’ ★★★★½ Lilithia Reviews