Melbourne International Comedy Festival comedian Q&A: Oliver Cowen, Silent Knight

Don’t look any further than Oliver Cowen for your knight in shining armour.

Oliver Cowen in Silent Knight.

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

This show is made up of three key things: an idiot, a terrible knight costume, and a series of increasingly “good, I guess” sketches all without talking.

If you’re new to MICF, tell us about you. If not, tell us what you’ve been up to since last time you were here.

BRITISH AND IRISH COMEDIANS TO SEE THIS YEAR

TOP COMICS REVEAL THEIR FAVOURITE COMEDIANS

Last year was my first MICF doing a duo show, The Tales of Witchmen, and since then I premiered my first ever solo show at Melbourne Fringe. Now I’m doing a different solo show for MICF.

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

Careful now, this show contains: a cowboy, Godzilla™, a marathon runner, a recreational swimmer, a priest, a sheep, and a very, very good magician.

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

See things outside your comfort zone. You never know what exciting things you’re gonna find.

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

I always love Tom Walker. He is such a good boy. I’m really looking forward to the return of Zach and Viggo, they are absurd, fun, and have a very interesting cucumber fact.

What stands out to you about Melbourne?

Coffee. Hey, we have it. Is it coffee you wanted? Oh, we’ve got that too. What’s that? It’s coffee.

Who or what is your comedic inspiration, and why?

The rock’n’roll absurd sketch comedy of Aunty Donna is always so tightly scripted and choreographed, it’s hard to look away.

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

Bring something sharp and pointy to throw randomly at me. It makes the show far more exciting.

OLIVER COWEN, SILENT KNIGHT. APRIL 1-7. GLOBE ALLEY (FORMERLY BELLEVILLE), MELBOURNE. BOOK TICKETS