Showko Showfukutei is a comedian, ventriloquist and the only fully trained professional Rakugo performer currently living outside Japan. From starting out as a radio presenter in Japan to snagging a comedy special on Amazon Prime Video, Showko’s kookiness has taken her to major comedy clubs all over the world. In this interview, Showko shares details about her craft and what we can look forward to at her performance at Junction Footscray.
Tell us a little bit about yourself and your creative practice.
I’m a Japanese comedian, ventriloquist , Rakugo ( 400 year old Japanese comic story telling) performer and ‘Australia’s Got Talent’ finalist.
I am the only one professional Rakugo performer trained by a Rakugo master living outside of Japan.
“Showko is arguably the world’s quirkiest and most original ventriloquist and Rakugo performer. She was awarded the stage name Showko Showfukutei after completing a 3 year Rakugo apprenticeship. Rakugo is a 400 year old traditional form of Japanese comedy storytelling and – like martial arts – requires the apprentice to train under a master. The difference being that in martial arts you learn how to kick arse; in Rakugo you learn how to make someone laugh their arse off.”
How did you start your creative practice and why?
I was a radio presenter and I interviewed my future Rakugo master in my program and saw his performance and got inspired! I love making people laugh and happy.
Becoming a Rakugo performer:
“Is it as easy as that? No. Rakugo is a very male dominated traditional art form, and only a person who can complete training for three years under a Rakugo Master will be accepted as a professional Rakugo performer (many people give up during this hard training period). To be a professional Rakugo performer you have to ask a Rakugo master to become his protégé. Usually the master will say “No” ten times to see if the person has the passion, desire and guts to be a Rakugo performer. In Showko’s case she went through the same ordeal, but her time to convince him was limited as Master Kakushow was moving to London to be a cultural ambassador for the Japanese government. Not one to give up, Showko left her life in Singapore and flew to London one day prior to Master Kakushow so she could be there to welcome him at Heathrow Airport. Needless to say, with this level of passion, desire and guts on display, Master Kakushow was convinced and finally accepted her as his protégé.”
“Showko is one of only 1500 Rakugo performers working professionally, and is the only one to complete her protégé period outside Japan. Of these 1500, only a handful are women, and only one of these women lives overseas. Like Master Kakushow before her, Showko has breathed new life into this traditional artform. Performed with a style that is uniquely her own, she combines it with a mix of modern stand-up comedy, puppetry and ventriloquism.”
Where did you grow up and has it influenced what you create?
I grew up in Kobe, Japan where was a cosmopolitan city at that time. Yes!
Tell us about your past creative projects. What has been a highlight so far?
My solo show “Absolutely Normal” created and performed by me, directed by Heath McIvor (a man behind Randy) and produced Janet McLeod received 5 stars reviews and was on Amazon Prime Video in US & UK.
Who or what inspires your practice?
My Rakugo Master Kakushow
Mighty Boosh
Paul Zerdin
Where do you feel most creative?
Beach, nature, studio, theatre
What gets you through challenging creative/ industry times?
Keep creating and trying something new.
What future projects are you looking forward to?
A web series with my puppet.
What can we expect to see in terms of your involvement in Junction Footscray & what are you looking forward to?
You can see something you never see but family friendly 🙂
I’m looking forward to play with people in Footscray.
Where can we find and follow you online?
Instagram: @showko_comedy
YouTube: Showko comedy
Facebook: facebook.com/ShowkoComedy/
TikTok: @showkocomedy
Website: showkocomedy.com
Link tree: https://linktr.ee/showkocomedy
Junction Footscray is a free community event in the heart of Footscray, Saturday 9th July, 4-10pm. Register your attendance via Eventbrite.
If you’re into comedy check out these Colour Box Studio interviews: click here.