Showko Showfukutei

Showko Showfukutei (笑福亭 笑子) is a Japanese actor, comedian, Rakugo performer, and ventriloquist based in Melbourne, Australia. She is known for blending traditional Japanese comedic storytelling with contemporary performance techniques, including ventriloquism and stand-up comedy.

Trained in method acting based on the Lee Strasberg Method, Showko appears in the role of Kimie in the upcoming feature film Saccharine.

She is a professionally trained Rakugo artist, a member of the Kamigata Rakugo Association and is recognized as the only qualified Rakugo performer currently living outside Japan. After completing a 3 year Rakugo apprenticeship, she was awarded the stage name Showko Showfukutei 笑福亭笑子. Rakugo is a 400 year old traditional form of Japanese comedy storytelling and, like martial arts, requires the apprentice to train under a master. The difference being that in martial arts you learn how to kick arse; in Rakugo you learn how to make someone laugh their arse off!

Her comedic work as a ventriloquist with a unique fusion of traditional Japanese storytelling and modern ventriloquism featuring handmade puppets and original characters—has been showcased at major international festivals, including the Edinburgh Fringe and Melbourne International Comedy Festival. She also gained national attention as a finalist on Australia’s Got Talent and stars in the Amazon Prime Video comedy special Absolutely Normal. Her work bridges cultures and disciplines, making her a distinctive and original voice in global performance and screen acting.