Ivan Aristeguieta – The Fourth Floor

Venezuelan comedian Ivan Aristeguieta immigrated to Australia in 2012, after living his dream of being a full-time comedian back in his home country. After the big move, Ivan believed that stand-up comedy would simply become a hobby, but seven years later he is still performing to packed audiences around the country. His newest show The Fourth Floor centres around his thoughts on turning 40, the four decades that make up his lifetime and filling in his fans on what’s been going on in his life over the past year.

“My shows are kind of a yearly report on my life. Not that many people get to share that with a bunch of people in an audience,” Ivan said. “I write about things that I’ve been thinking about most over the past year.”

Ivan will be performing for a third year in a row at Sydney’s Factory Theatre for the Sydney Comedy Festival and spoke about his journey leading up to The Fourth Floor.

“I did comedy in Venezuela for six years and then I actually lived as a full-time comedian there. But when I moved here I thought it might become my hobby…I did an open mic night a few months after I arrived here and I’ve done it ever since!”

Ivan’s shows are tear-jerkingly funny, however, for the Venezuelan comedian his performances and stand-up shows run deeper than the puns and one-liners. “It’s fun! However, I think that’s what’s special about it. It’s not all about jokes, it’s about connecting as a person with your audience.”

May 2-5. Factory Theatre, 105 Victoria Road, Marrickville. $28-36+b.f. Tickets & Info: www.sydneycomedyfest.com.au

By Madison Behringer