This Time Is Different is a one-hour comedy show by Zhou Ning. It mixes stand-up, live music and storytelling. The show is a loose emotional journey, talking about love, shame, queerness, family, immigration, emotional patterns that she keeps repeating, relationships that almost worked out, leftover food she microwaves, and a driving licence that never quite happens.
Although Ning’s practice spans visual art, music and comedy, her work consistently shares the same qualities: tender, awkward, honest and funny. After years of working across different forms, comedy has become the place where everything comes together. This Time Is Different turns intimate personal experiences into moments that are both emotional and absurdly funny. It is a sincere, playful and slightly awkward show, carrying a quiet sense of hope.
"Our children live in the most deprived ward in London and their parents cannot afford to pay for the classes and activities many more privileged children enjoy after school and at the weekends. A free-to-access youth group run by a local theatre in a professional setting is an incredible opportunity."
Local school teacher
