Melbourne International Comedy Festival comedian Q&A: Sean Elliott, Tesla: Death Rays & Elephants!

Science fans or lovers of shocking humour will get a real kick from this high-voltage show, says comedian Sean Elliott.

Sean Elliott Melbourne Comedy Festival 2019.

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

Tesla: Death Rays & Elephants is storytelling, science demos and a critic of modern science debates all rolled into one sharp stage show.

Nikola Tesla was a pretty big deal in the history of high voltage electricity, and this show explores the kooky oddities in his life.

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Also, there’s a Tesla coil in the show.

It’s a device that spits out electrical sparks.

It’s pretty cool.

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

Last MICF I was performing in The Onion of Knowledge.

I’ve always been a big fan of science, and that show was a bunch of science stories about various discoveries and the people who made them.

It was telling stories with a distinct science flavour.

This is a sweet flavour, reminiscent of accidentally putting your tongue on a nine-volt battery.

Who should see your show, and why?

You … you reading this right now.

Come see my show.

Tesla: Death Rays & Elephants is for a curious mind.

It’s family friendly, so bring everyone.

We’ll have a lot of fun, create some real live electricity, and the audience will see the devices around them in a whole new light.

Plus, there’s a Tesla coil that spits out tiny lightning.

People love those.

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

Give those comedians some love.

If you liked their show, tell them you liked it.

If you didn’t like their show … well, there are plenty of others to check out.

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

I’m a fan of anyone mixing science and comedy, so am keen to see You Chose Poorly by Alanta Colley and Ben McKenzie.

What do you love about Melbourne?

I love Melbourne. It’s my Edinburgh surrogate.

Only, more sunlight and less Australians working in bars.

Who or what is your comedic inspiration, and why?

Ben Elton was always a touchstone for me.

His work on my favourite sitcoms in the ’80s and ’90s, not to mention his own high-energy stand-up comedy, was fuel for my teenage brain.

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

It has a Tesla coil in it. It puts out sparks. Did I mention that?

SEAN ELLIOTT, TESLA: DEATH RAYS AND ELEPHANTS!, MARCH 30-APRIL 21, IMPERIAL HOTEL, STELLA ROOM, 2 BOURKE ST. BOOK TICKETS