Melbourne International Comedy Festival comedian Q&A: Alice Fraser, Mythos

It’s time to take a funny look at the lies we tell ourselves to feel better about ourselves, says comedian Alice Fraser.

Alice Fraser Melbourne Comedy Festival 2019.

What can people expect from your show at this year’s Melbourne International Comedy Festival?

Lies, conspiracies, jokes, truths, stories, myths and talking in the form of 55 minutes of entertainment.

Maybe some songs, we’ll see if they work out.

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What have you been up to since last time you were here?

Since I was last at MICF, I’ve been living in London, gigging around the UK, writing jokes, doing my own podcast, Tea With Alice, and co-hosting The Bugle Podcast as a part-replacement for John Oliver.

Who should see your show, and why?

Anybody who already likes the work I do will probably like this.

Anybody else who thinks they might like it should also come and see it.

If you absolutely hate everything I do, maybe give it a chance?

Or you know, go see something else, there’s heaps.

What’s your No.1 tip for people coming to see a show at the comedy festival?

Stay hydrated, wear comfy shoes, layer your clothes and bring sunblock in case you meet a star.

Which other comedians/shows are you keen to see at this year’s festival, and why?

I always love watching Wil Anderson who has been at the top of the Australian comedy scene for many years for a very good reason, ditto Cal Wilson.

Kirsty Webeck is a straight up gun.

Cassie Workman has always done intricate and beautiful art-comedy that is also wildly funny. Corey White’s debut hour won lots of awards and I’m excited to see what’s next for him. Anya Anastasia is taking a step over from highly ambitious and excellent comic cabaret to pared down stand-up and I’m excited to see that.

Demi Lardner and Tom Walker, both alone and together do incredibly weird exciting and gross clownish comedy that’s great if you have a taste for avant-garde/juvenile boundary pushing silliness.

Coming over from the UK, Carl Donnelly and Eleanor Tiernan.

Daniel Kitson, obviously, always.

From Canada, John Hastings and DeAnne Smith.

Felicity Ward is back from London being as good as she always is.

I saw her show Busting a Nut in Edinburgh and London, and I’ll see it again in Melbourne if we don’t clash.

What do you love about Melbourne?

I mean, it sounds facile, but you get good food *everywhere*, and the art scene is glorious.

Who or what is your comedic inspiration, and why?

I grew up on Monty Python and The Goon Show, that silly funny stuff that I love dearly, but is somehow very much not what I do onstage.

ALICE FRASER, MYTHOS, MARCH 28-APRIL 21, MELBOURNE TOWN HALL PORTICO ROOM. BOOK TICKETS