Melbourne International Comedy Festival comedian Q&A: Carl Donnelly, Full of Beans

From angry working-class kid to crystal-wearing vegan, Irish-born comedian Carl Donnelly’s self-deprecating show is as unpredictable as it is funny.

Carl Donnelly Melbourne Comedy Festival 2019.

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

They can expect an all-round good time as I take them through a selection of self-deprecating stories and observations about how I’ve grown into being the sort of person I used to hate in my youth.

I grew up a working-class angry kid and have somehow ended up a 37-year-old vegan who wears crystals and meditates.

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YOUR GUIDE TO THE MELBOURNE COMEDY FESTIVAL

Luckily for my comedy, every now and again my old nature comes out and sabotages my life!

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

Since the last comedy festival I’ve been gallivanting around the world getting myself into some annoyingly dangerous situations.

One story which can be heard in the show is of my drunken attempt to purchase drugs in a foreign country and me ending up with a machete wielding mad man in an alleyway!

Who should see your show, and why?

I’d like to think it has something for everyone.

If you like someone being funny and honest then I think you might like me. I’m good company.

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

Leave any judgment at the door and kick back and try to enjoy the show.

Every comedian you see has the best intentions and wants to give you the best show they can so even if you don’t enjoy it, it’s nothing personal.

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

I’m looking forward to seeing some of the big names making an appearance such as Maria Bamford and Hannah Gadsby, but also some of the newer Australian comedians who are on the way up.

I did the Comedy Roadshow with Daniel Connell two years ago and he quickly became one of my favourite Aussie comics.

I’m excited to see his new show which has the excellent title Piece of Piss.

What do you love about Melbourne?

Melbourne is my favourite city on earth (my wife is actually from there so that might make me biased).

It’s got so much going on.

As a vegan, I couldn’t not mention that I think it’s the vegan capital of the world.

Every time I visit they’ve taken vegan food to a new level!

It’s also the city that turned me into a coffee snob as you people take that stuff so seriously.

Who or what is your comedic inspiration, and why?

Growing up in an Irish household I spent my childhood watching The Dave Allen Show, which I hold responsible for not only me being a comedian but also my style of comedy.

He was such a brilliant, funny storyteller.

Anything else you want us to know about you or your show?

It’s funny and you’ll like it!

CARL DONNELLY, FULL OF BEANS, MARCH 28-APRIL 21, MANTRA ON RUSSELL. BOOK TICKETS