Joe White - Emotional Blackmale
Golden Gate Hotel (South Melbourne, VIC)
Saturday, 18 April 2026 8:30 pm
The performance ends. The man begins.
From refugee camp to viral SENSATION, comedian Tilahun Hailu (aka Joe White) has won multiple FRINGE WORLD Best Comedy Awards and sold out shows at the biggest arts festival in the world, the Edinburgh Fringe. Now, with the birth of his daughter Leilani—half Ethiopian, half Maltese—he's realised his most popular stage name, "Joe White," can no longer stand.
In a powerful, hilarious, and deeply honest new show, Tilahun reveals the true story behind his Joe White identity. He traces his desperate 25-year pursuit of acceptance, from growing up as an Ethiopian refugee in Sudan, to the difficult journey of migrating to Australia and trying to fit in by trading his beautiful birth name, Tilahun (meaning "be a shade" or shelter), for "Joe."
Emotional Blackmale is more than just a comedy show; it’s a declaration of war on inherited trauma and a commitment to reclaime his identity. Join Tilahun Hailu on this urgent, hilarious, and vital journey to become the father his daughter deserves.
★★★★½ "My goodness was he funny" - On the house review
Doors 8:00pm
Show 8:30pm
Duration 55 mins
Recommended for ages 15+
Under 18s must be accompanied by a parent/guardian
Contains coarse language and adult themes
General Admission
From refugee camp to viral SENSATION, comedian Tilahun Hailu (aka Joe White) has won multiple FRINGE WORLD Best Comedy Awards and sold out shows at the biggest arts festival in the world, the Edinburgh Fringe. Now, with the birth of his daughter Leilani—half Ethiopian, half Maltese—he's realised his most popular stage name, "Joe White," can no longer stand.
In a powerful, hilarious, and deeply honest new show, Tilahun reveals the true story behind his Joe White identity. He traces his desperate 25-year pursuit of acceptance, from growing up as an Ethiopian refugee in Sudan, to the difficult journey of migrating to Australia and trying to fit in by trading his beautiful birth name, Tilahun (meaning "be a shade" or shelter), for "Joe."
Emotional Blackmale is more than just a comedy show; it’s a declaration of war on inherited trauma and a commitment to reclaime his identity. Join Tilahun Hailu on this urgent, hilarious, and vital journey to become the father his daughter deserves.
★★★★½ "My goodness was he funny" - On the house review
Doors 8:00pm
Show 8:30pm
Duration 55 mins
Recommended for ages 15+
Under 18s must be accompanied by a parent/guardian
Contains coarse language and adult themes
General Admission