Melbourne International Comedy Festival comedian Q&A: Dice Paper Role, At The Movies

Dungeons and Dragons go to the movies in a unique, improvised adventure starring the team from Dice Paper Role.

Dice Paper Role Melbourne Comedy Festival 2019

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

Emil: Dungeons and Dragons, and movies — to say it’s the best of both worlds would be underselling it.

If you’re a fan of comedy, of fantasy, of film, of improv, of pop/nerd culture, or of Marie Kondo then this show is for you. Maybe not so much Marie Kondo, except, goddamn, our show sparks joy.

THE A-Z OF COMEDIAN Q&AS

YOUR GUIDE TO THE MELBOURNE COMEDY FESTIVAL

We take a classic film genre and improvise our way through a Dungeons and Dragons adventure in that style. Imagine Lord of the Rings but performed in the style of a ’90s coming-of-age flick. Everyone watching Sam and Frodo thinking ‘Will they, won’t they?’.Well, you’ll have to come to our show to find out.

What you’ve been up to since last time you were here?

Ben: Whoooweee it’s been a big ol’ year.

Since debuting a live format of our popular podcast Dice Paper Role at last year’s comedy fest, we’ve had a regular gig at Storyville, released over 25 episodes of our serial pod, created 30-odd new pieces of accompanying art, made 20-odd hours of music.

Emil: We just had a sell-out show in Ballarat and we’re on the road right now to go to The Adelaide Fringe.

Jack: Plus, I went viral twice!

Ben: True! Once on Twitter (@jkcrosbyfun) and once venereally.

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

Ben: We’re the only D&D show on at the comedy festival!

Emil: But don’t let that stop you, we’ve actually been really well received and reviewed (including a cheeky five-star review at last year’s fest), and people keep coming back.

Ben: Initially we thought it’d be mostly be for D&D heads, but once we started releasing it we found we had a fair bit of crossover appeal.

People come for the trolls but stay for the lols.

Emil: It’s a wicked Sunday sesh at Storyville too, four in the arvo listening to a silly story, sipping on a smashing cocktail...pretty bloody good, especially the Polyjuice Potion.

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

Jack: Forget everything you’ve ever heard about Dungeons and Dragons, this is a totally unique show and you don’t need to know anything about the game to enjoy it.

We create the story in the moment with the help of everyone.

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

Ben: Oliver Coleman Poolside and Lauren Bok Rock Out with your Bok Out jump straight to mind. They’ve made guest appearances on our pod (check out Book II Chapters 7-8 for Lauren’s eps)

Emil: Chelsea Zeller and Sam Russo in Mrs Robinson Crusoe and Josh Glanc in Glance you for Having Me as well.

What stands out to you about Melbourne and/or its people?

Emil: As locals we’re pretty biased, but the way the city comes alive over comedy fest is pretty special.

Melburnians love an event and there’s stuff on all year round, but no time of year feels like comedy fest. It’s easier to get people to see your shows too, I’ve made a stack of theatre and no one comes, but as soon as I started comedy it was like ‘Ohh, Sam from my grade two class? Haven’t seen you in 20 years, thanks for coming’.

Greg: I love the footy too. I’m from Queensland and always hated rugby league and never really understood AFL, but as soon as I moved down here I couldn’t help but get involved. It’s not like up north where sport’s a bit of a class divide, pretty much everyone here gets into the football and I love the mighty Blues... almost as much as D&D.

Who or what is your comedic inspiration, and why?

Ben: The Blues, they’ve been the biggest joke going around for the last 20 years.

Greg: Settle down, tiger. I reckon our biggest influences would be The Mighty Boosh, Rick and Morty, Shaun Micallef, Peep Show, Bo Burnham, Arrested Development, The Dollop, The Adventure Zone, Community, Friendlyjordies, Bernie Sanders, The Young Ones.

Emil: The Horsham Historical Society, Taika Waititi, Edgar Wright, The Simpsons, The 1996 World Cup winning Australian Men’s one-day cricket team.

Dan: And, of course, former Victorian premier John Brumby.

Ben: How could we forget Brumby?

Anything else you want us to know about your show?

Ben: Each show will be entirely different. A different DM (which stands for Dungeon Master which is basically the narrator) will be taking charge of each game so make sure you get in early, as you’re going to want to come back the next week for another brand new story.

Greg: Check out our website too at www.dicepaperrole.com, it’s got all of our eps and heaps of Jack’s artwork.

Dan: One thing I want everyone to know is that The Road to El Dorado is an underrated movie. Seriously, go back and watch it... classic stuff.

Dice Paper Role, AT THE MOVIES, MARCH 31-APRIL 21, STORYVILLE MELBOURNE, 185 LONSDALE ST. BOOK TICKETS