Melbourne International Comedy Festival comedian Q&A: Perri Cassie, Soft

Perri Cassie is a self-confessed pushover who is fine with you having a laugh at his expense.

Perri Cassie Melbourne Comedy Festival 2019.

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

Some of the sharpest joke writing in the Melbourne International Comedy Festival.

Tell us what you’ve been up to since last time you were here.

Since last year’s show, Secondhand Bubblegum, I’ve done a little bit of touring — I performed headline shows in Tokyo, Shanghai, and Kuala Lumpur — which were some truly great shows.

I also managed to get myself on at The Comedy Store in Sydney, so it’s been a good year for me.

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

My show is called Soft, it’s a series of short and punchy jokes at my expense because I’m a big pushover.

It’s for everyone, if you have low self-esteem you’ll relate to it, if you have high self-esteem it’ll make you feel even better.

I’ve performed these jokes in four countries in the last six months, and if there’s one thing that’s universal, everyone loves hearing about mildly unfortunate things that have happened to someone else.

I am a dark horse because I’m not one of the acts that has a lot of press coverage or buzz, I’m an unknown entity — but I’m a gamble that will pay off.

I perform very consistently across shows in Melbourne and other cities across the world.

You may have seen my face and laughed at it already.

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

Don’t see all the big names that are on every bus, tram, and park bench in town.

Take a flyer, take a risk.

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

Luka Muller: Haha Coola — Luka is one of the best in Melbourne and he’s a gigging machine.

If I ever want to feel bad about myself, I just ask him how many gigs he did that week, it’s normally three times as many.

He works so hard. A very likeable and funny young man.

Alex Ward: No Flirting — probably one of the fastest rising prospects in comedy, she had an insanely successful show last year and I’m sure this year will be the same. Hilarious, and she has a very cute dog. One of my favourites to see around town throughout the year.

Headliners: I go every year to this showcase and there’s always a ‘I saw them before they were massive’ act.

I’ve seen Hannibal Buress, Beth Stelling, Mark Normand, Pete Holmes. One year they had John Mulaney for crying out loud.

What stands out to you about Melbourne?

Melbourne loves the comedy festival — there’s a different energy in the air for the whole month.

That vibe really inspired me to be a comedian because I just wanted to be a part of whatever it is. It’s better than Christmas.

Melbourne is just a cool city to hang out in, it’s not so much for sights, but on a ground level there’s so much food to be eaten, coffee to drink irresponsibly, and beer to drink responsibly (or so I am legally obligated to say).

Who or what is your comedic inspiration, and why?

I can’t pick just one.

Dave Attell and Sam ‘The Kid’ Morril because it’s just about the jokes with them.

They’re so punchy.

A lot of people want to write some sort of themed one-person opus of a show, and that’s just not for me.

I want to make your sides hurt from laughing for 50 minutes.

That’s all I’m interested in, being undeniably funny, and that’s what they do best.

I’ve told the dirtiest of jokes and seen elderly people tip forward laughing — that’s an amazing feeling.

John Mulaney deserves a big mention.

His album The Top Part was a huge influence on me. I can’t state that enough.

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

It’s so, so funny and you should buy tickets right now.

PERRI CASSIE, SOFT, APRIL 9-21, THE TICKLE PIT AT ROZZI’S, 157 SWANSTON ST. BOOK TICKETS.