Melbourne International Comedy Festival comedian Q&A: Nikki Britton, Once Bitten
With a role in Peter Helliar’s TV show and a marriage celebrant licence under her belt, Nikki Britton’s observational humour is bound to bite. Warning: Don’t attend her show if you’re a prude.
Comedian Q&A
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What can people expect from your show at this year’s Melbourne International Comedy Festival?
It delivers the same warm, energetic, joy bomb feel but the observations and stories are a little more revealing this year.
What have you been up to since last time you were here?
I had the pleasure of playing Marlo in Peter Helliar’s new show How to Stay Married on Channel 10 and married my two best friends on a mountain top in Oregon.
I’m an official marriage minister in the US now! (An accreditation the internet issues with reckless abandon).
Who should see your show, and why?
Jerks should probably not come. There’s nothing in it for you.
Also prudes. Please reconsider attending.
But anyone who wants a little heart with their comedy. Anyone who wants to laugh so hard their wine comes out of their nose.
Melbourne — bring me your misfits, your minxs, your mirthful.
Bring me your snorters, your gigglers, your goofballs. You will leave lighter and freer than when you walked in. Promise.
What’s your No.1 tip for people coming to see a show at the comedy festival?
It’s live — laugh out loud!
Some people cover their mouth and laugh into their hands.
Or stifle their giggles — NO! The more you laugh out loud, the better the show and the more you’ll enjoy it.
Also, wee before hand. Don’t be that guy that walks out halfway through cos you’ve broken the seal.
Which other comedians/shows are you keen to see at this year’s festival, and why?
I can’t wait to see Maria Bamford and Michelle Wolf — two comedy icons! I’m looking forward to seeing what Hannah Gadsby has created this year.
And I’m alway excited to see the young comics who are cutting their teeth at the festival for the first time in shows like the Class Clowns grand final and Comedy Zone.
As well as staple faves like Geraldine Hickey, Double Denim, Judith Lucy, Steph Tisdell, Sam Taunton, Nath Valvo and Holly Austin’s kids show Alphabet Soup.
What stands out to you about Melbourne?
I am always shocked to to see how many trendy people you can fit in such tiny establishments.
And how difficult it is to find them.
And how glorious your public transport is!
Who or what is your comedic inspiration, and why?
So many — Lucille Ball, Patton Oswalt, Richard Pryor — but mostly my family and friends. Hoo boy, they are all sorts of wrong.
They won’t read this, will they?
Anything else you want us to know about you or your show?
There will be strong references to the mid-90s.
NIKKI BRITTON, ONCE BITTEN, MARCH 28-APRIL 21, MELBOURNE TOWN HALL LUNCH ROOM. BOOK TICKETS