Born in Sydney, Jefferies is recognized as an outspoken comedian. In 2007, Jefferies grabbed attention after being attacked by an audience on stage during his show in Manchester, United Kingdom. The footage was among the first viral videos on YouTube.

Since 2017, the comedian has appeared regularly on Comedy Central’s The Jim Jefferies Show and has produced several Netflix Original standup specials, including Jim Jefferies: This Is Me Now.

In his routines, Jefferies touches on various issues, including alcoholism, politics, sex, religion and gun control, his most popular material.

Mad About Comedy founder Eamonn Sadler said during a press conference in Jakarta on Tuesday that the comic initially only wanted to visit Bali for vacation, however Sadler managed to convince him to add Jakarta and Bali as part of the tour.

“This is the first time we’ve managed to get somebody of the caliber of Jim Jefferies to come to Indonesia,” said Sadler.

As someone who established Mad About Comedy in 2001, previously known as Jakarta Comedy Club, Sadler shared that Indonesia’s comedy scene was still separated from the international scene.

“Our goal in working with [standup comedian] Mo [Sidik], and the Indonesian standup comedy scene is to bring together Indonesian and international comedy scenes,” added Sadler.

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Mo, who also acts as Mad About Comedy spokesperson, said that the upcoming Jefferies’ show would be a milestone for Indonesia’s standup comedy scene.

“Besides Russell Peters, popular standup comedians frequently skipped Indonesia while performing in the region,” said Mo, referring to Gabriel Iglesias and Ali Wong who had performed in Singapore.

Mo hoped that following the performance, Jefferies would tell his fellow standup comedians about Indonesia’s standup comedy scene.

“At least they’d find that there’s a potential market in Indonesia,” added Mo. 

Tickets for Jim Jefferies’ The Night Talker Tour can be purchased via Book My Show’s website.

The show will be opened by comedian Forrest Shaw.

Sadler said the show was scheduled to start at 8 p.m. However, since Jefferies is known for his hour-long sets, the performance is expected to finish at 10:30 p.m.

Sadler added that since Jefferies was famous for his quick-thinking and localized material, the comedian had probably done some research on Jakarta.

 “We can expect some Indonesian references,” said Sadler.   (wng)