KUALA LUMPUR, June 23 — From comedy heavyweights Joanne Kam and Kavin Jay to the next generation of performers, the inaugural PJ Comedy Fest 2026 will showcase the breadth of Malaysia’s comedy scene when it debuts this July.
Running from July 29 to August 2, the festival will feature 29 comedians and 11 young performers across nine productions staged at DeStage’s Studio and Main Theatre Hall in Jaya One, Petaling Jaya.
Presented by DeStage in collaboration with Kam Productions, the festival will showcase performances in English, Bahasa Malaysia, Mandarin and Tamil.
The programme includes stand-up comedy, improv, storytelling showcases, interactive productions and theatrical performances.
The Comedy Gala will headline the festival, featuring some of Malaysia’s best-known comedy talents, including Shamaine Othman, Andrew Netto, Rizal Van Geyzel, Farid Azmeir, K-Shao, Jasmine Rajah, Brian Tan, Prakash Daniel, Keren Bala Devan and the Pinball Monkeys improv troupe.
Alongside established acts, the festival will also provide a platform for emerging performers and young talent, giving audiences the chance to discover the next generation of Malaysian comedians.
The festival will close with a family-friendly staging of A Midsummer Night’s Dream by EM Drama.
The venue, formerly known as The Square, has long served as a home for theatre productions, comedy showcases and cultural events.
Over the years, it has supported Malaysia’s performing arts community by hosting open-mic nights and performances by comedians including Harith Iskander, Joanne Kam, Douglas Lim and Kavin Jay.
Now operating under DeStage, the venue continues its focus on live entertainment.
More information on the festival and ticketing is available via DeStage’s Instagram page.

