Aaron Chen: The Infinite Faces Of Chenny Baby (MICF)

Rising star Sydney-based comedian Aaron Chen brings an artfully awkward charm to The Infinite Faces Of Chenny Baby. Chen started his stand-up career at the Melbourne International Comedy Festival, winning 2012's Class Clowns. For this semi-solo show, he's joined by a sidekick - the dry Jon Lo, aka Jono.

Chen is apparently big on karaoke and the gig opens with a video presentation. Alas, the screen is too small for anyone beyond the third row to see, but those near the front laugh boisterously. (There's a wry AutoTune rendition of R Kelly's I Believe I Can Fly.)

Throughout the show, Chen - valiantly performing with bronchitis - mentions it being media night. "To all the reviewers: maybe think about one thing you could improve on," he quips. Chen even slyly solicits extra stars from critics.

Much of Chen's comedy is about pop culture and negotiating daily life - food being a recurring theme. He asks if there are any Kanye West fans in the house, and the room falls quiet. Unfazed, Chen hilariously riffs off some of Yeezy's OTT lyrics from his album The Life Of Pablo (notably the song Father Stretch My Hands, Pt 1 with its reference to anal bleaching). To his credit, it's certainly worthy of an extra 1/2 star.

There are, however, some problematic weaknesses. One sequence hinges on the audience being familiar with the relatively obscure Tilda Swinton film We Need To Talk About Kevin  — an odd choice considering it came out in 2011 — and Chen recycles at least one joke from his Class Clowns routine. Despite these wobbles, this promising stand-up's comedy has some commendable depth. He talks about his migrant background, relating his first experience of "white people food", and his accounts of exchanges with his dad are particularly touching. This is definitely an act to watch; Chenny Baby could go far.

Aaron Chen presents The Infinite Faces Of Chenny Baby till 23 Apr at the Victoria Hotel, part of the Melbourne International Comedy Festival.