Melbourne International Comedy Festival comedian Q&A: Dane Simpson, Origins

A long-distance punner from Wagga Wagga questions the origins of his humour in this show from comedian Dane Simpson.

Dane Simpson Melbourne Comedy Festival 2019.

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

I feel like everyone has a little bit of a comedian inside them.

This is the story about where I think my comedy comes from and how a simple bloke from Wagga Wagga, NSW, ended up at the Melbourne International Comedy Festival performing to thousands of people.

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

This is my first solo show at the Melbourne International Comedy Festival.

I have previously been involved in the festival with the show Aborigi-LOL, which sold out its entire season in 2018.

Since last year’s festival, I have appeared on a few television shows including Have You Been Paying Attention? and Get Krack!n.

Who should see your show, and why?

Everyone should come watch my show.

It’s full of yarns about my family and my friends.

I feel like everyone has silly stories about loved ones that they share with others to get a good laugh, this show is full of stories and laughs about the people close to me.

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

Bring your smiles to every show.

The more you want to enjoy the act, the more incredible the performance will be.

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

Double Denim — A Very Fancy Dinner Party. These guys have had absolutely incredible shows for the past two years.

They are always very fun and it’s exciting to see what level they’ll take their show to next.

Chris Ryan & Tom Gibson — Unqualified. Absolutely incredible comedians each in their own right are teaming up for a double bill … Yes, please!

Chimp Cop — The Very Best of Chimp Cop (All New Material). I love this naked-gun style of comedy.

I particularly love to see how cleverly they put the show together and bring it to a live action stage.

Anne Edmonds — What’s Wrong With You? Classic Eddo … she is incredibly funny in whatever she does.

Damian Callinan — The Merger. This movie just came out last year.

It has won awards and has an incredible story. This is a chance to see the show at its beginning, as a one man play.

Ben Knight — Big Red. Ben Knight could easily be the next big superstar of comedy.

He is very clever and has a keen eye for finding the funny in education.

Luke Heggie — HAVE THAT. Aria nominated in 2018.

Luke Heggie is and will always be a powerhouse of the stand-up comedy world.

What do you love about Melbourne?

I love Melbourne audiences.

Usually people come along and are already invested in your show and want you to succeed.

It really makes you feel great as a performer.

Who or what is your comedic inspiration, and why?

My Nan is my comedic inspiration and that’s what my whole show is about.

She was an amazing person who has always seen the funny side of life and has passed that down to not only her children but also further generations.

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

I think that it’s absolutely crazy that a bloke from Wagga Wagga NSW, who has been doing comedy for three years is on the TV show Have You Been Paying Attention? and also on the Melbourne International Comedy Festival Gala … How did that happen?

Come and find out the story at my show.

DANE SIMPSON, ORIGINS, APRIL 9-21, THE COOPERS MALTHOUSE, SHELL ROOM. BOOK TICKETS