Melbourne International Comedy Festival comedian Q&A: Ed Night, An Aesthetic

Double-check you’ve turned off your phone if you’re heading to Ed Night’s show — and if you know any of the MasterChef judges, he really, really wants to hear from you.

Ed Night really

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

It’s about loads of stuff. I’m not very good at describing my own comedy but I would say it’s approximately an hour of jokes.
Hopefully there aren’t too many UK-specific references in it, but I guess I’ll find out when I get there.

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Tell us about you.

I am an obsequiously didactic little comedy b..tard and you should see my show if you are the kind of person who likes memes and saying things like ‘well, actually’.

Who should see your show, and why?

As you can probably tell by my numerous pop culture references in this Q&A, you should come to my show if you are a young person or have ever been one.

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

My top tip for anyone seeing any comedy show ever is don’t talk and turn off your phones. My top tip if you’re going to a show in Melbourne and it’s not mine, go back online immediately and add a ticket to my show!

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

So many. The New Order line up is top notch so definitely go and see that.

Sarah Keyworth, Jamali Maddix, Fern Brady, Phil Wang, John Hastings, Adam Knox.

What are your first impressions of Melbourne?

My only knowledge of Melbourne is from MasterChef Australia, which is my favourite TV show. So I’m looking forward to going to a Coles.

Who or what is your comedic inspiration, and why?

My comedic inspiration mainly comes from vine compilations on YouTube, or insanely time-consuming s … posts that are self-referential to the point of alienation.

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

If anyone knows George, Gary or Matt from MasterChef, DM me cos I wanna be a guest judge on the show while I’m in Melbourne.

ED NIGHT, AN AESTHETIC

Rating: ★★★★

Reviewer: Ian Royall

Chuckle lovers knew they were in for a seat-squirming hour when Ed Night equated the indelicacies of first-date sex to the logistics of using public transport in a new city.

(Wait till he hears about myki’s “touch on, touch off” mantra.)

From there, things got weirder. And shadier. And funnier. And thought-provoking.

Night’s An Aesthetic debuted at the Edinburgh Fringe and, a hundred-odd shows later, has bedded down into a solid performance.

His awkward pauses are perfectly well, um, awkward.

This is very much a show of our times, tackling the #metoo movement, social change and some very inconvenient truths.

This 21st century boy manages to charm and shock at the same time thanks to his cheeky, yet sonorous, Sarf London voice.

From Irish Catholic stock, Night rages against the church machine, and then rounds on celebrity paedophiles, daring to name some you may not be aware of. Eek! (As Tex once growled, better get a lawyer, son.)

An Aesthetic is topical in content, acerbic in delivery. Enjoy. But not if you’re easily offended.

ED NIGHT, AN AESTHETIC, MARCH 28-APRIL 21, ACMI STUDIO, FEDERATION SQUARE. BOOK TICKETS