Melbourne International Comedy Festival comedian Q&A: Damien Warren-Smith, Garry Starr Conquers Troy
In a bid to save the performing arts from its inevitable extinction, eomedian Damien Warren-Smith, aka Garry Starr, has given rebirth to the ancient art of pretendism.
Comedian Q&A
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What can people expect from your show at this year’s Melbourne International Comedy Festival?
Having single-handedly saved the performing arts with his debut show in 2018, Garry returns to Melbourne with a new mission: to rid the world of ‘method’ actors by giving rebirth to the Ancient Greek art of ‘pretendism’.
ULTIMATE 2019 MELBOURNE COMEDY FESTIVAL GUIDE
What have you been up to since last time you were here?
Since last year I’ve been touring around the UK with my debut show Garry Starr Performs Everything which had a sellout run in Edinburgh before transferring to London’s Soho Theatre.
Needless to say, theatre has been saved.
Who should see your show, and why?
Everyone with a pulse and a face and a damn good sense of humour.
If you love silliness and anarchy and have ever met an actor and thought, ‘Wow, that guy’s a douche’, then come see this.
What’s your No.1 tip for people coming to see a show at the comedy festival?
Do your research!
Ask people what they’ve seen and what they enjoyed and take a punt on something and someone new.
There are so many brilliant comedians out there and most of them are NOT on your TV.
Which other comedians/shows are you keen to see at this year’s festival, and why?
Josh Glanc, Fringe Wives, The Establishment, Ange Lavoipierre.
What do you love about Melbourne?
Although I’ve never lived in Melbourne it feels more like home than pretty much anywhere else in the world.
I love the green spaces and the coffee and all the amazing art that is happening.
Who or what is your comedic inspiration, and why?
Spymonkey. I first saw one of their shows around 10 years ago and had never seen anything so ridiculous in all my life.
It was this encounter that set me off down this path of creating hilarious and anarchic theatre.
Anything else you want us to know about you or your show?
It’s really good.
DAMIEN WARREN-SMITH, GARRY STARR CONQUERS TROY, MARCH 28-APRIL 21, THE COOPERS MALTHOUSE, THE TOWER. BOOK TICKETS
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