ED FRINGE 2023 INTERVIEW | Ricky Sim, An Asian Queer Story: Coming Out to Dead People

In preparation for the 2023 Edinburgh Festival Fringe, Emmie chats with Ricky Sim about their piece ‘An Asian Queer Story: Coming Out To Dead People’. 

1. Let's begin by pitching your show at the Ed Fringe, tell us about it?

"An Asian Queer Story: Coming Out to Dead People" is a standup/storytelling comedy show about me growing up as a gaysian in America and trying to come out to my traditional Chinese-Malaysian immigrant mother, just as she’s diagnosed with cancer. Talk about great timing! There’s something heartbreaking but humorous in that “damned if I do and damned if I don’t” situation, where I had to decide whether to tell her the truth or let her be blissfully ignorant about my life before she goes. It's dark, raunchy, and heartfelt.

2. Is this piece based on a true story - how has that been challenging in developing it? 

Yes – it is based on a true story. It has not been too challenging to shape it into a storytelling/stand-up piece, partially because this is something I have always wanted to write about. There’s a saying that people usually become stand-up because something terrible happened, either a loved one passed away or a breakup. And I feel like I have always wanted to tell this story – even when I was writing stand-up jokes. So in a way, I did not mind the challenging aspects of developing it.

Furthermore, ever since I started doing the show, many audience members have come up and told me how much they feel seen through the piece. This makes me realize that even though the story is extremely personal, I am not doing this show only for myself – I am also sharing this story for people who might have gone through or are going through similar experiences. We can find humor and solace in them.

3. Is this your first time coming to the festival? What are you most looking forward to during your time in the city?

I came to the festival last year. I am definitely most looking forward to catching as many shows as possible - especially shows by queer, female, or POC artists. It’s an exciting festival where everything is happening, so I am open to spontaneously stumble upon shows that could surprise me

4. What can audiences expect from your show?

Audience members will hear about specific topics such as Asian family dynamics, cleft-palate, and growing up gaysian in NYC –while at the same time exploring more universal topics such as grief, love, and acceptance. The audience may be able to walk away with a different view of how coming out and family can work or a different way to find solace in grief and death.

5. Do you think there are enough stories about Asian queers like yourself that are being told in comedy or theatre? If not, why do you think that is?

I don’t think there’s ever ‘enough’ – first of all – every queer experience is different, and the word “Asian” cover such a massive and diverse population with different language, culture, and values – which is why I have always thought it’s quite strange that we don’t see a lot of Asian-themed queer stories, especially in the comedy space. I remember when I was coming out to my traditional family, I was hoping to find a TV show or movie that talks about gay Asian coming out, or find a role model in the queer Asian community that can guide me, but there weren’t any.

Even now, I still feel like many of the coming-out narratives portrayed on screen are based on Western value system or even Christian perspectives. I hope that there will be more and more shows about Asian queers that can help add more diverse and nuanced experiences and perspectives to the rainbow of collective LGBTQIA+ stories.

6. Where can people come and see An Asian Queer Story: Coming Out to Dead People?

It’s at Just the Tonic Mash House – The Snifter Room,  3-13, 15-27 Aug. Tickets are available here.