Melbourne International Comedy Festival comedian Q&A: Jeff Green, Letters Home

Jeff Green’s sharp take on Aussie foibles form the backdrop of his stand-up routine at this year’s comedy festival - and he promises it’s safe to bring your grandma along to his shows.

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

My show is a rollicking laughter-packed series of letters written over 10 years to my 78-year-old mother in England highlighting the pleasures and pitfalls of emigrating to Melbourne.

I point out the hilarious foibles of Australians and note all the changes that have happened to the country over the last decade.

It received five-star reviews and sold out it’s entire run at this year’s Adelaide Fringe and was featured on the ABC’s highest-rated show Conversations.

Who should see your show, and why?

My show is super clean which means you can come along with your favourite granny if you want, she’d enjoy it too because it is about the joy of handwritten letters that she used to write.

It’s great for date night as it’s about love and your mum and dads would love it too because it’s about family.

Every immigrant should see it because it’s about what home means to us.

And every Melburnian should see it as it shines a light on this great city with the clarity that only an outsider sees.

Get the scoop on Jeff Green’s letters to his mum back home at his comedy festival show.

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

Get there early. No one wants to have the comedian’s wit turned on them as they crouch on their way to their seat.

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

Amos Gill — a world-class star in the making!

The Comic’s Lounge’s Best of the Fest — superb value all-star line-up shows and Melbourne’s ONLY all-year-round comedy club.

It keeps the flame of comedy alive when the festival shuts up shop and for that reason alone should be thanked and supported.

Damien Power — the smartest comic and the nicest bloke.

What do you love about Melbourne?

I first came to Melbourne comedy festival in 1996 — so this is my 23rd year.

Yes, no international has performed at more festivals than me.

The people are warm and generous and support the festival in their droves.

And they are loyal too, coming back year after year.

The city is breathtaking and introduced my hangover the pleasure of the double-shot skinny flat whites — two of them and you won’t blink for three days!

Who or what is your comedic inspiration, and why?

I grew up loving Richard Pryor and Billy Connolly — Billy came to one of my shows in Edinburgh a few years ago.

What an honour.

Now I love the young comics — Rhys Nicholson, Nath Valvo, Sammy J, Emily Tresidder to name a few.

They’re passionate about comedy and so am I — that cuts across the generations.

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

I’m one of the very few shows that does seven nights a week — Monday nights I do the show at Melbourne Town Hall.

JEFF GREEN, LETTERS HOME, MARCH 28-APRIL 21, SWISS CLUB, 89 FLINDERS LANE AND MELBOURNE TOWN HALL SUPPER ROOM. BOOK TICKETS.