Tell us about the new Comedy Fest Hub?
The National Theatre Melbourne has moved from not just being a venue for hire but engaging with and providing greater opportunities for artists in 2016.
In that regard we have opened up the venue to be explored in new ways. The Stage will be turned into a Blackbox intimate space for 80 audience members for Couples, I (Honestly) Love You and Sex Depression.
The Lizard of Oz will take young people and families on a comic adventure through the whole building.
The mezzanine upstairs bar will host our late night free entry stand up/impro comedy nights.
The Melbourne International Comedy Festival seemed like the logical festival for us to explore these new hub ideas with these very funny and entertaining shows.
What’s your favourite type of comedy?
I like all forms of comedy! Everything is go go go these days. We need to laugh more!
If I had to choose I am partial to physical comedy and clowning. The ability for a great artist to make us laugh without the need for words. That being said—I (Honestly) Love you is a great comedy with plenty of great one liners!
Tell us a quick, theatre/onstage anecdote.
Never forget your audience! Without an audience there is no performance.
I see a lot of work these days made by a variety of artists. Those who always know or sense where their audience is are one step ahead of the game.
What, or who, inspires you?
Artists inspire me every day. That ability to go back every time and put themselves on the line in front of an audience. To entertain, tell a gag, take us on a journey.
How would you describe the National Theatre’s 2016 line-up in food form and why?
The line-up in 2016 is full smorgasbord of delights. The Comedy Festival line up is a good one to focus on Couples is wine and cheese, Lizard of Oz is a picnic with a Choc Top, I (Honestly) Love You is moist chocolate Mississippi Mud Cake to eat or maybe be thrown at you!
Sex Depression is a kebab and the Stand Up Comedy Nights are beer (Mountain Goat) and pizza nights (wood fired from Italico) of course!
What’s coming up next at the National after the Comedy Fest Hub?
Things go from big to bigger for us! One of our regular presenters CLOC is in for a three-week season of WICKED which we expect will sell out.
What’s Your Scene?
My Scene is The National Theatre Melbourne and performing arts by day (and night) and then being Dad to two smart active kids and exploring everything Bayside Melbourne has to offer.
About National Theatre Melbourne – first-time Hub for 30th Melbourne International Comedy Festival shows
The National Theatre Melbourne is for the first time in its history a Hub for five of the 30th Melbourne International Comedy Festival shows.
CEO Nic Clark said the affiliation with the iconic Comedy Festival allowed The National Theatre to offer a variety of excellent comedic entertainment to patrons of all ages.
The first of the Festival shows is the comedic play Couples, a hysterical warts and all look at relationships that runs from 29 March to 3 April. Four vastly different couples attend a weekend of relationship therapy, where they reveal their true personalities, resulting in clashes, the revelation of secrets and some home truths.
Based on real-life events, Phillip A Mayer’s Couples is funny, insightful and poignant, serving as a warning not to enter into a partnership lightly! Boasting over 40 nominations and a winner of multiple awards including Best Comedy, Best Ensemble and Best Australian Play, Couples makes its Melbourne Comedy Festival debut at The National Theatre Melbourne.
The Lizard of Oz, is school holiday fun on 7 and 8 April is a comedy performance for young people with great costumes, music and an adventure that promenades through the classic National Theatre building. Join Dotty and her pet Blue Heeler Dodo, mysteriously transported (via Cyclone Matilda) into the middle of Oz on an adventure that encounters crazy Australian icons with plenty of laughs. Directed by Mark Grentell, who also directed the Aussie comedy feature film Backyard Ashes.
On 13 April the award-winning comedy I (Honestly) Love You takes to the National theatre stage for four performances after acclaimed seasons in Edinburgh and New York. I (Honestly) Love You explores what happens when two people, who share the extremely rare psychological condition of only being able to tell the truth at all times, fall deeply and madly in love. It’s a tale of love gained, love lost, and love thrown around a bit.
Open Mic night lovers are in for a free treat in the National Theatre’s new late night Mezzanine performance space with Stand Up Comedy Nightfrom 14 to 16 April. Each night will have a different theme and a different host and local comics are invited to come along and try out their material – stay tuned for more info or email info@nationaltheatre.org.au for details.
Described as “An edgy comic uninterested in routine routines”, comedian Andrew Roberts performs his one man show Andrew Roberts – Sex Depression on 16 April. Andrew has appeared on ABC TV, featured in the San Francisco’s Chronicle and has travelled the world with his “Improvised Stand Up”. Audiences who find Stand Up droll and Impro unorganised will love this show.
The National Theatre Melbourne is located at 20 Carlisle Street (cnr Barkly St.) St Kilda. More season information and ticket sales available atwww.nationaltheatre.org.au , or by calling (03) 9525 4611.
Couples:29 March-2 April, 8.30pm, 1 Hour, All tickets $20
The Lizard Of Oz: 7-8 April,11 am, 1 Hour, All tickets $20
I (Honestly) Love You: 13-16 April, 7.30pm, 1 hour, All tickets $25
Stand-Up Comedy Night: 14-16 April, (14 & 15 at 9pm and 16 10.30pm), 1 hour free
Andrew Roberts – Sex Depression: 16 April, 9pm, 1 Hour , Tickets $25 to $35
