Melbourne International Comedy Festival comedian Q&A: Jessica Pratt, You Throw Like a Girl

Be amazed and amused as Jessica Pratt pays tribute to great Australian women doing great things.

Throw LIke a Girl, Melbourne Comedy Festival.

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

You Throw Like a Girl is a sketch comedy show paying tribute to great Australian women in history, some you may have heard of and some you may not.

You can expect to see some singing, some dancing, some audience participation and some cleverly written funny and relatable sketches.

THE A-Z OF COMEDIAN Q&AS

YOUR GUIDE TO THE MELBOURNE COMEDY FESTIVAL

If you’re new to MICF, tell us about you.

This is my first time performing at the festival.

I’m born and bred on the Mornington Peninsula but have spent my last six years living and working in Dubai as a comedian and improviser. I spent last year writing this show and have returned to Melbourne to reside in time to premiere at the MICF.

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

Anyone who cares about great Australians doing great things should see this show.

Our show proves that doing anything like a girl can be pretty awesome.

It’s interesting and relevant. It’s inspiring, funny, family-friendly and performed by three very funny women.

If you love sketch comedy you will love You Throw Like a Girl.

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

The big names are great and well worth seeing, but also consider seeing some local acts. There’s so much to see and a lot of funny people out there.

Check local venues near you as well, there’s heaps going on in the outer suburbs.

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

I will also be performing with Impro Melbourne in their show At the Movies and also in the Soothplayers show Improvised Shakespeare. I’ll be hanging out to see Lano and Woodley — they were the first show I ever saw at the Comedy Festival as a teenager, so there is a soft spot for them.

What stands out to you about Melbourne?

Being a Melburnian who has spent the last six years living away, the thing I missed most was the buzz of the town.

Melbourne is quirky and fun. The city is a mix of artists, sports fans, coffee drinkers and foodies.

Everyone can be one of all of these things in Melbourne.

Who or what is your comedic inspiration, and why?

I grew up admiring Magda, Judith Lucy and Kitty Flanagan from Australia.

Tina Fey, Amy Pohler and Molly Shannon from the US.

Throw in Dawn French and Jennifer Saunders from the UK and it’s a lovely group of role models.

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

Since I was a teenager I wanted to write and perform in my own show at the Melbourne Comedy Festival and now I’m finally doing it with two of my best and funniest friends!

I’m over the moon with excitement to be part of such an institution in my home city.

Aussie women have been amazing throughout our history and having a chance to honour them is a real treat.

Jessica Pratt, You Throw Like a Girl, march 29-31, The MC Showroom, Lvl 1, 48 Clifton St, Prahran. Book tickets