There is something electric about a stand-up comedian who understands the art of balance—between cultures, between perspectives, between what is said and what is merely suggested. Arash Rowshan, the Iranian-American comedian whose rise to prominence has been as unconventional as it is meteoric, knows this dance all too well. After captivating audiences across Europe and North America, Rowshan is now embarking on his debut Australian tour, bringing his sharp, culturally nuanced stand-up to the Persian-speaking community in Perth.
Presented in partnership with Grassroots Comedy, one of Australia’s leading independent comedy networks, Rowshan’s show will take place at Dark Horse Comedy Club, offering Persian-speaking audiences in Perth a rare chance to experience stand-up tailored specifically for them—performed entirely in Persian.
From Silicon Valley to the Stage
Rowshan’s journey into stand-up was never preordained. A software engineer by trade, he spent years in Silicon Valley before a deep sense of purpose—and a knack for comedy—led him to the stage. “When the Woman, Life, Freedom movement started in Iran, I was creating online content to raise awareness, but I wanted to make it engaging,” he says. “So I added humour. What started as a way to connect people to an issue became the thing I was most passionate about.”
That passion soon evolved into viral comedic sketches, resonating across the Iranian diaspora. But Rowshan quickly discovered that live performance is a different beast altogether. “Online comedy allows for rewrites, for edits. On stage, it’s raw. No take-backs. No filters. Just you and the audience, feeling the moment together,” he explains. It was this thrill—the unpredictability of live stand-up—that cemented his commitment to the craft.
A Comedy That Travels—But Never Translates
Unlike many bilingual comedians who adapt their sets through direct translation, Rowshan constructs distinct performances for different audiences. His English-language stand-up is not a translation of his Persian material—it is an entirely separate experience, shaped by different contexts and shared cultural moments. “To truly connect, you have to know who’s sitting in front of you,” he says. “I want to go deeper than surface-level humour.”
It’s a philosophy that shapes his approach to the Persian-language comedy scene as well. Persian stand-up remains a niche, particularly outside of Iran, where communities are dispersed, making large-scale shows a logistical challenge. Yet, Rowshan sees immense potential for its growth. “Persians around the world share roots, but we’ve all adapted to our new homes differently. That tension—between our past and present—creates brilliant comedy.”
A Night for the Persian-Speaking Community of Perth
For Rowshan, the Australian tour represents not just another stop, but a meaningful milestone. “I love the challenge of walking into a country for the first time and figuring out what makes it tick. Australia has a strong comedy culture, and I can’t wait to see how Persian-speaking audiences in Perth engage with my material,” he says.
His collaboration with Grassroots Comedy is also significant. “When I reached out to Xavier (Managing Director and Veteran Comedian), I knew I was speaking to someone who truly understands the grind of independent comedy. There’s something special about working with people who get what it takes to build something from nothing.”
The show at Dark Horse Comedy Club is set to be one of the few full-length Persian-language stand-up performances in Australia, giving Perth’s Iranian community a rare opportunity to laugh together in their mother tongue. “It’s not just about entertainment,” Rowshan notes. “It’s about bringing people together—whether they’ve been in Australia for decades or just arrived.”
More Than Just Laughs
Rowshan’s comedy is often described as “smart”—a blend of dark humour, cultural reflection, and sharp wit. “Comedy can bridge divides. It can shed light on things people think but are afraid to say. It can address painful topics in ways that heal rather than divide,” he says. His hope? That audiences leave not just having laughed, but having felt part of something larger.
At the end of the day, Rowshan sees his audience as collaborators in the comedic process. “A comedy show is never just about the performer—it’s about the energy in the room. My audience helps shape my performance as much as I do,” he reflects.
And if there’s one thing he wants the Persian-speaking audience of Perth to know? “This show is for you. Not just in the sense that you’re watching—it’s yours in the sense that you are part of it.”
Arash Rowshan’s Persian stand-up show takes place at Dark Horse Comedy Club, Perth.
📅 Date: 22nd of March at 7PM
📍 Venue: Dark Horse Comedy Club, Perth
🎟️ Tickets: Eventbrite
✨ Performed entirely in Persian. Seats are limited—book now!
For more information click here
