Melbourne International Comedy Festival comedian Q&A: Phill Davies, Marveled: An Original Parody Cabaret
Marvel superhero fan or not, comedian Phill Davies’ musical parody of heroes and villains will have you toe-tapping while laughing out loud
Comedian Q&A
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What can people expect from your show this year?
Marvel superheroes! Watch as your favourite characters from Captain America all the way to Hawkeyes sing their woes to tunes taken straight off Broadway and the silver screen, but with completely parodied and original lyrics.
Guaranteed heroism, laughs and catchy tunes.
YOUR GUIDE TO THE MELBOURNE COMEDY FESTIVAL
What do we need to know about you?
I’m super excited to bring my show to the Comedy Festival this year for the first time.
I guess a pretty obvious fact about me is that I love Marvel movies.
I mean, I love them so much that the temptation to dress up and sing funny songs as different heroes (which I’m starting to think isn’t actually as normal as I’m imagining) was just way too much to resist.
Apart from Marvel though, I finished up three years studying musical theatre around Melbourne in 2016, and have since been working in aged care as a lifestyle assistant while auditioning for shows and writing hilarious parody songs in my down time.
Who should see your show, and why?
In the words of Vanessa Amorossi: Absolutely everybody!
Whether you’ve memorised every single Marvel screenplay or are still figuring out the difference between Marvel and DC, this show is perfect for you.
Laugh to loud parodies that star Marvel superheroes singing their hearts out to toe-tapping Broadway, Disney power-ballads and seductive jazz, wrapped up in a neat package accompanied by a five-piece band.
Basically, if you love Marvel, see this show.
If you want to love Marvel, see this show.
Don’t know a thing about Marvel? See this show!
What’s your No.1 tip for people coming to see a show at the comedy festival?
Don’t just see one! See as many shows as you can, even the unknown ones, especially the unknown ones!
In one night you could see up to four or five shows so make a night of it and enjoy all the different kind of comedy the festival can offer!
Which other shows are you keen to see at this year’s festival, and why?
Being a fan of music theatre myself, I’m really keen to go see The Aspie Hour, another cabaret-style show playing at the Trades Hall.
I met co-star Ryan Smedly by chance while seeing another show, and he was the nicest, most down-to-earth guy you could meet.
On top of that I’ve seen a lot of great reviews and feedback about the show over the past year that’s really made me want to go check it out myself.
What do you love about Melbourne?
Melbourne is my city. I’ve grown up and live out in the southeastern suburbs, and I guess one of my favourite things about living out that way is that the further away you get from the city, the wider the roads get.
I just love having more space to drive in rather than squeezing down tight lanes of traffic or having to do stressful hook turns where half the time you’re scared someone’s gonna be running a borderline red light.
But, in terms of the city itself, I love the theatre and art that Melbourne accommodates.
No other city in Australia can offer a paralleled spectrum of entertainment and opportunity, which is why there is nowhere else I’d rather be than right here.
Who or what is your comedic inspiration, and why?
Growing up, I listened to a lot of Weird Al Yankovich.
My absolute love and respect for parody writing has really come from songs he’s written. ‘The Saga Begins’ (a Starwars Episode 1 themed American Pie), and ‘White and Nerdy’ I still consider as some of the most clever use of words and rhymes while still keeping the main focus on the story.
What else do we need to know about your show?
We’re on for a super limited season of six shows, so make sure you get your tickets if you want to catch this show before it disassembles forever.
One man. Six heroes. Six shows.
Return that copy of The Justice League you should never have bought and head down to Gasworks Arts Park for an hour you won’t forget!
PHILL DAVIES, MARVELED: AN ORIGINAL PARODY CABARET, APRIL 9-13, GASWORKS ARTS PARK. BOOK TICKETS
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