Melbourne International Comedy Festival comedian Q&A: Chris Parker, Camp Binch

For anyone who’s ever had trouble fitting in, Chris Parker can take you under his wing and show you how to fly.

Chris Parker Melbourne Comedy Festival 2019.

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

Deeply personal and very revealing stories about growing up as a totally closeted yet completely flamboyant young man in a conservative city of New Zealand.

It’s an onslaught of campery, but I’ve thrown a few jokes in for the lads too, to keep it broad. I have no idea what they are about but my straight friend, who wrote them, swears they’ll kill.

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Tell us about you and what you’ve been up to since last time you were here.

I’ve been over a few times, with the New Zealand Improv Cult that is Snort.

But this is the first time I’m bringing one of my solo shows over.

I’ve been doing comedy for a while in New Zealand, I do it on the stage, on the television and once I did it in a movie (The Breaker Upperers) for like one minute.

I’m tall, blonde and have extremely large hands.

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

This is a show for anyone who felt like they were on the outside at school.

For those who never really fitted in and have spent the rest of their adult life overcompensating, so that at the 10-year reunion they can walk in and look down at those kids who bullied them and laugh in their face.

This is also a show for those people who were the ‘it’ kids at school because they need to learn that school wasn’t easy for everyone.

And if you have a fetish for tall, blonde gay men who look 15 but sound 45, this show is also for you.

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

Take a chance on an unknown (Chris Parker)

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

I’m always keen to see what Rhys Nicholson has made.

I adore Becky Lucas.

Anne Edmonds makes me lightheaded because she’s so funny.

Tom Walker and Demi Lardner are doing a show and I’m scared and excited to see it.

Plus any comedian from New Zealand.

If you’ve been to Melbourne before, what stands out to you about the city and/or its people? If not, what are your first impressions or what are you expecting it to be like?

Melbourne is very ‘cool’.

My initial impression is that it gets everything about 10 years before New Zealand. So we just got Krispie Kremes in New Zealand and everyone lost their minds. But over here it’s old news. I’m hoping we get a Uniqlo by 2045.

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

It really works when I do it alone in my room practising, but I can promise you it’s 1000 times better with an audience.

It won an award at the New Zealand International Comedy Festival. The Fred Award, which is the award they give to the best show. Incredible, right! I thought so. So take a chance on me, it’s not a gamble, it’s a surefire win.

Chris Parker, Camp Binch, MARCH 28-APRIL 21, Greek Centre — Aphrodite, 168 Lonsdale St. BOOK TICKETS.