On Dec. 9 last year, comedian Richard Tomic, known on social media as “Ricchaado,” set aside all his personas and stepped onto the stage at Tokyo Comedy Bar for the first time — as himself.

There were no 313,000 Instagram followers in front of him. Instead, there was a mic, a live audience and new material about his life. Not long after he started his set, there was laughter in the room.

Tomic is part of a new wave of comedians getting their start online. Some are happy to entertain in cyberspace, while others are eager to conquer the stage too. With his performance at Tokyo Comedy Bar, Tomic follows in the footsteps of regulars such as Yurie Collins and Daniel Wilson, who have found fame both online, where they’ve built their brand, as well as on stage.

Adblock test (Why?)