It’s a rainy Friday evening outside the Hippodrome, and a crowd has gathered inside Ratas&Kohv, a cozy café-cum-bicycle shop. Tonight, they’re not here for the lattes or the bike locks but instead have come to see a Fringe comedy show, a double act put on by Vivek Ravi and Thao Cao. The show, Asian Fusion, touches on Vivek’s Indian background and Thao’s Vietnamese heritage, combining both for an Asian perspective rarely seen in Tallinn. Both comedians operate under slightly different styles while staying true to the stand-up genre. The host for the night, Rauno, an Estonian, starts off by warming up the crowd, rolling with it as a couple of latecomers trickle in. Adding a little Estonian flavor to this fusion dish, he gets everyone going with quips about everyday life before Vivek takes the stage.
Vivke’s set is tried and true, mixing in jokes that might be familiar to those who have seen the former Tallinn local perform while peppering in new material. His set is relatable in many ways as an immigrant in Estonia and plays on his experiences as an Indian man once living in Tallinn. With a couple of Fringe seasons already under his belt, Vivek knows how to work the Estonians in the crowd too, drawing out laughs about Estonian drinking culture and women named Kadri.
Thao follows up, offering her own unique set as a visiting Australian who is in her second year navigating the Tallinn Fringe scene. Her jokes work a more international angle, discussing her life in Australia while peppering in some Vietnamese perspectives on language and culture. She is relatable, offering up everyday stories on dating and modern life, before switching to a crash course on some Vietnamese linguistic differences.
The duo balance each other well, with Vivek’s higher energy and Thao’s casual coolness. While Vivek feels like a guy you just met at the bar who happens to crack some killer jokes over a pint, Thao feels like you’re sitting on the couch with a friend who has you in stitches while you discuss your day. Both perform with ease, clearly confident on the stage, and speak easily with the audience members both before, during, and after the show.
There is one more showing of Asian Fusion at Ratas&Kohv this Sunday, September 14th, from 19:00-20:00. While Vivek’s Fringe shows have already concluded for the year, you can very likely catch him around next year for another round of stand-up. Thao has two upcoming shows you can still catch, Marmalade (September 14th at 15:00 at Heldeke!) and Confessions of a Comedian (September 15th at 19:00 at Heldeke!). The 2025 Tallinn Fringe Festival concludes on 18 September, with shows every night around Tallinn.
Author: Lily Strider
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