Melbourne International Comedy Festival comedian Q&A: Matt Byrne, Married at First Fight

When you take the world’s oldest institution and turn it into two hours of comedy, it’s like a marriage made in humorous heaven, says comedian Matt Byrne.

Matt Byrne Melbourne Comedy Festival 2019.

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

Two hours of politically incorrect laughter about instant marriage and marriage in general.

Yes, two hours.

We have an interval so you can grab a drink and find us even funnier.

COMEDIANS WHO HAVE WON BIG INTERNATIONAL AWARDS

COMEDY LEGENDS WITH BRAND NEW SHOWS THIS YEAR

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

This is my fourth journey across the border to Melbourne.

I have brought Bouncers, Shakers, my footy show Barrackers and W.A.G.S. and am happy to admit that Melbourne is the nation’s comedy capital.

I present musicals and plays in Adelaide, and am a theatre critic and arts writer for The Sunday Mail.

But footy is king for me and I have followed Port Adelaide to Shanghai twice, and we’re ready to take on the Sainters there in June.

Who should see your show, and why?

Anyone’s who’s ever been married or divorced will love this show.

It combines song, dance and instant romance.

I hate reality TV and I’ve never been married so I thought I’d be the perfect person to take instant marriage right up the aisle.

Unlike Married At First Sight, Married At First Fight is live.

It’s fast, funny and furious comedy as four versatile actors play everyone you’re likely to meet at a wedding, from the unhappy couples to the parents, bridesmaids, inebriated Irish priests, silly celebrants and we even have a pussy.

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

Bring your funny bone.

Don’t come to judge, come to laugh.

Don’t be afraid to let rip if you’re having a great time.

If you hate one gag, don’t worry there’ll be others.

And don’t just see the tried and true — you can see them on the TV or hear them.

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

Always love Judith Lucy because she knows how to share pain, Ross Noble because he knows how to share headspace and Stephen K. Amos … because he knows how to share.

What do you love about Melbourne?

Melbourne is the only city in the world that could have pulled off Federation Square, now it looks positively normal.

It has the Ying of trams and the Yang of undercover ticket inspectors.

It’s passion for art and football, magnificent gardens and endless cafes make it the ideal place to stage a show and host a post-mortem.

Who or what is your comedic inspiration, and why?

For me it was the Marx Brothers, Benny Hill, Woody Allen, Abbott and Costello, The Three Stooges, Martin & Lewis, Lucille Ball and Bob Hope.

They all knew what funny was and what’s really funny doesn’t change.

Seinfeld is terrific, Robin Williams insane, Connolly the bomb, Belushi and Bill Murray certifiable and Letterman was greatly underestimated.

Knowing your comic persona is the key and these guys knew what worked.

I go with what I know and it works.

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

Our show is four stools, fours mics and four people who think on their feet and love crowd interaction.

It’s the purest form of theatre and comedy.

Every night can be different and we are the best value night out at the Festival.

MATT BYRNE, MARRIED AT FIRST SIGHT, MARCH 27-30, THE LITHUANIAN CLUB COMMUNITY CLUB ROOM, 44-50 ERROL ST. BOOK TICKETS