Melbourne International Comedy Festival comedian Q&A and review: DeAnne Smith, Ephiphany

If you only have one epiphany during the comedy festival, make sure it’s to see this show, says comedian DeAnne Smith.

DeAnne Smith is returning to the Melbourne International Comedy Festival 2019.

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

Fun. Spontaneity. Great jokes. Revelations.

If you don’t know me, I’ve been described as ‘nerdy but dirty’ and honestly, that’s kind of fair.

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

In the year since I was last in Melbourne, I have taped a Netflix special, travelled the US and eaten a LOT of chocolate.

Who should see your show, and why?

These people will for sure like it: queers, weirdos, nerds, the anxious and the open-hearted.

BUT! I have also been known to appeal to dads, bros, and 82-year-olds. (There was one in my audience tonight in fact!)

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

Try something new.

Of course, go to the acts you know you’ll love, but take a chance on someone you’ve never heard of.

You’ll either make a discovery or make a memory, so it’s win/win.

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

So many! The ‘why’ for all of these is because I love them and am in awe of their talent: Nikki Britton, Rhys Nicholson, Zoe Coombs Marr, Demi Lardner & Tom Walker, Bella Green, Maria Bamford.

What stands out to you about Melbourne?

I LOVE the comedy culture in Melbourne!

Melbourne audiences are sophisticated and comedy literate, and they’re a joy to perform for. Also, you guys dress REALLY well.

I see fashion in Melbourne a year before I see it in Toronto, where I live.

Who or what is your comedic inspiration, and why?

Maria Bamford! She’s such an incredible joke writer and seems completely unafraid to dig around in the dirt of being human to find the gems we can all laugh at.

And her delivery is so unique.

She’s one of a kind.

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

I’ve taken quite a long flight, left my dog at home, and put my romantic relationship in jeopardy to be here, so please come along!

OUR REVIEW OF DEANNE SMITH, EPIPHANY

Reviewer: Mikey Cahill

Rating: ★★★★½

DeAnne Smith has been racking up good will with Melbourne audiences since her debut, Barry Award nominated show in 2011.

She enjoys making rack references throughout this show, which has a nicely weighted body-positive message for all the ladies.

OUR Q&A WITH DEANNE SMITH

The self-described “little tropical fun elf” has her synapses firing like jet engines this year, shifting from zinger to singer and back again.

The Canadian-American’s crowd work went over extraordinarily well when she conducted the audience doing animal noises including “my brother’s cat”.

She talked us through a dogumentary (my portmanteau, feel free to steal it, D), a dinner party with a famous moustachioed astronaut and made a gritty observation about why comedians are like psychopaths.

You’d be a boob to miss her.

DeAnne Smith, Epiphany, until April 21, Mantra on Russell.