3 minute read
Noah the comedic medic
Photo: Nick Robertson
WITH AN AWARD-WINNING BREAKOUT PERFORMANCE LAST YEAR, MEDICAL INTERN NOAH SZTO HAS BEEN LEAVING AUDIENCES IN STITCHES SINCE HIS DEBUT AS A COMEDIAN. HITTING THE STAND-UP CIRCUIT BY NIGHT AND WORKING HOSPITAL ROUNDS BY DAY, HE’S A MAN OF MANY TALENTS.
Named Best Newcomer at the 2024 Melbourne International Comedy Festival, Noah is fast gaining a foothold in the industry. After playing to audiences of 30 in a small karaoke bar last April, Noah’s win secured greater exposure at this year’s festival and a trip to perform in London. In Melbourne, Med School – a hilarious take on his adventures as a medical student – will be staged in a 90seat theatre at ACMI, with 22 performances from March 27-April 20.
A former student at Peninsula Grammar, Noah could easily be the face of its current Unleash Greatness campaign. Months before the school’s billboards appeared, posters promoting his first show Success in Everything featured a photo of him looming large in the background, framed by an overarching rainbow.
The title occurred to him while holidaying in Penang. At a mountain temple where tourists are encouraged to randomly select a colourful wishing ribbon, Noah plucked one labelled ‘success in everything’. He knew then he had found the perfect title for his debut. The phrase was a dig at himself as an overachiever, constantly striving to do more and do better.
Early examples of his self-deprecating humour exist in homemade YouTube videos that are still online. Reflecting on them, he joked: “I could never understand why I didn’t go viral.” In one, with a backdrop of shelves displaying Rubik’s cubes and Andy Griffiths books, 13-year-old Noah tells viewers: “I spend most of my time on the internet,” before cheekily turning his laptop screen towards the camera to reveal the words “I spend most of my time on the toilet”. His comedy has matured, but creative use of props and funny asides continue as trademarks. The same affable, open style now endears him to theatregoers.
The son of mixed parents – his mother is Australian, his father Chinese-Malay – he insists everyone in his family is funnier than him. Testament to their abiding love of anything silly, he and his older sister still get their photo taken with Santa each year, wearing ugly Christmas sweaters. His dad, a respected cardiologist, enthusiastically promotes his show to regular patients while, to his amusement, his mum dreams of plans for a range of Noah merchandise.
Generally quiet as a child, there were times he delighted in being the centre of attention. Completing kindergarten at Toorak College, he was the only boy who stayed on throughout Grade 1. The experience gave him a taste of how it feels to have his own dressing room: the junior school’s two bathrooms were labelled ‘Girls’ and ‘Noah’.
Performing on stage in musicals and playing in ensembles at Peninsula Grammar – he plays the keyboard, French horn, trombone and euphonium – equipped Noah with skills that resurface in his acts today. He composed and performs the soundtrack for his latest show.
After his stellar debut in 2024, don’t miss Noah Szto’s Med School at the Melbourne International Comedy Festival. For tickets, visit www.comedyfestival.com.au
