Melbourne International Comedy Festival comedian Q&A: Chris Dewberry, Making Fun of People

Plebs beware, we are all fair game to make fun of, says Chris Dewberry.

Chris Dewberry, Making Fun of People

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

I’ve got a bit of a contrarian approach and I like talking about the social grey areas where right and wrong is up for debate.

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I think it’s best summed up by some audience feedback I got after a gig. She said “I really liked your set. Some of the things you said made me want to punch you in the head, but you did well with it.”

If you’re new to MICF, tell us about you. If not, tell us what you’ve been up to since last time you were here.

Last year I went to Africa and the Middle East. Then I spent the rest of the year being far more boring.

Spruik it! Who should see your show, and why?

People who like comedy without a safety net. One audience member described a previous show as being like a stand-up comedy version of Cards Against Humanity. This year’s show is about how we’re all plebs and we all deserve to be made fun of. It’s not for everyone, but for people who like a bit of dark humour it’s a lot of fun.

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

Go to the blackboard outside the Melbourne Town hall where they’ve got a list of the acts at festival-managed venues. Look for the names you don’t recognise and see them. They’ve made it into festival-managed venues because they’re good up-and-comers, not because they can sell tickets on popularity.

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

People like Corey White, Luke Heggie, Anne Edmonds and Lawrence Mooney.

What stands out to you about Melbourne?

I live in Melbourne. We’re suckers for novelty so there’s a hugely diverse range of entertainment options out there. Go to St Kilda and you’ll find just about every type of Melbournite person in one area.

Who or what is your comedic inspiration, and why?

People like Reginald D Hunter, Patrice O’Neal and Dylan Moran. Reg and Patrice because they manage to make dark social commentary whimsical and hilarious and Dylan Moran because he’s a seemingly drunken Irish genius.

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

The venue’s not traditionally set up for wheelchair access but we’ve been able to make it work in the past if we get a bit of a heads up beforehand. Contact details to arrange this are through the ticketing site.

Chris Dewberry, Making Fun of People, MARCH 28-APRIL 20, Basement Cafe, Shop 43, 350 La Trobe St. BOOK TICKETS.