Comedian brings his We Need to Talk show to Redcliffe

HE’S arguably Australia’s favourite US stand-up comedian but Arj Barker reckons ‘We Need to Talk’. He reveals why he loves touring regional centres and offers Redcliffe a spelling lesson.

Comedian Arj Barker is bringing his We Need to Talk show to Redcliffe.

HE’S arguably Australia’s favourite US stand-up comedian but Arj Barker reckons ‘We Need to Talk’. He reveals why he loves touring regional centres and offers Redcliffe a spelling lesson.

Q. When did you truly know you were funny? Many people think they are …

A. I don’t think I’ve ever conclusively decided that I’m funny. I certainly have moments where I feel funny, but plenty where I don’t as well. Luckily, my shows are designed to be funny, even if I don’t feel funny on the night.

Q. How did you get into stand-up comedy?

A. It was pretty simple actually. I just wrote a few minutes of gags (probably not my best stuff) and went to an amateur night, paid my $2 sign-up fee and away I went.

Q. What do you love about it?

A. I love the freedom to write and say whatever I want onstage. Of course it needs to be received well by the audience, or they may not return. I find the tricky part is to say what I believe about stuff and still make it funny.

Q. What do you hate about it?

A. Getting up early to go to the airport and trying to explain why to my dogs. They just don’t seem to understand that Dad has to go earn treat money.

Q. Do you cringe when you think back to your first stand-up gig or glow with pride?

A. Neither one, really. I think it was bloody nerve-racking but also extremely rewarding and fun, once I was away. I would liken it to jumping off a cliff into a cold lake. You fret about it, but once you do it, you’re pretty glad you did. Unless you can’t swim or the lake was more shallow than you thought.

Q. How are your shows different today?

A. They are longer, better, funnier, busier, and the clothing and hair styles of the audience have changed quite a bit. And people bring their phones. In those days, their phones were still attached to the kitchen wall.

Q. What do you enjoy about touring regions?

A. Since not as many international acts tour the regionals, I think there’s a great level of appreciation, which I can feel on and offstage.

Q. You seem to spend a lot of time in Australia and New Zealand. Why is that?

A. Ha ha. Have you been to the USA lately? Read the newspapers much?

Q. What can audiences expect from your Redcliffe show?

A. To laugh their arses off A LOT and to think a little.

Q. Is there anything you would like to add?

A. Only that there’s no ‘e’ in ‘cliff’, but knock yourselves out! :)

SHOW DETAILS

Where: Redcliffe Cultural Centre

When: September 21, 8pm

Tickets: $49.90 adults

Visit: redcliffeculturalcentre.com.au