Melbourne International Comedy Festival comedian Q&A: Stef Jaric, A Glass Half Fool

You’ll never think you’re strange again after listening to comedian Stef Jaric’s glass-half fool approach to life.

Stef Jaric Melbourne Comedy Festival 2019.

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

My shows are usually about whatever I’m encountering in the great wide world around me and my slant on those encounters.

As from my comedic perspective, the world is a little crazy and I’m just the person to put it right or at least point out where it’s gone wrong.

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But then again, maybe it’s myself that’s lost the plot?

But that’s for the audience to figure out.

The audience will also get treated to some of the many outlandish ‘what-if’s’ that play themselves out in my head like some bizarre pantomime puppet show along with some funny stories.

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

This is my first independent show at the MICF in 11 years, since my first show in 2008, I Can’t Believe it’s not Kenny, which played upon my likeness to the main character of the Kenny movie fame and numerous members of the public who mistook me for the character.

Since then, I’ve travelled with my non-comedy day-job and as a result performed overseas in Sweden and Thailand and I took a break from comedy for a while there.

Returning to comedy in recent years, I’ve been performing at local comedy rooms around Melbourne, host pub trivia nights and found myself returning to MICF 2016 as part of the ‘Free Comedy’ collaborative comedy shows, which I highly recommend for comedy fans this year.

I then staged a show at Melbourne’s Fringe Festival last year, called Stef Jaric — Urban Comedyist, which got a positive review.

I first performed this show A Glass Half Fool at FringeWorld in Perth in early February this year and am looking forward to bringing it to Melbourne audiences.

Who should see your show, and why?

While I don’t play to a particular audience, I find that those who don’t take life too seriously get the most laughs out of my shows.

Also people who are prone to embarrassing themselves for no particular reason seem to like my stuff.

And those who dislike being picked on when being part of a comedy audience can be assured of being completely safe from such antics in my shows as I’ve no interest in my audience at all and have been known to ask them to wait outside until the performance is over before allowing them to be seated again.

My battle with the weird in the world and the weird in my head is the reason why they should come to the show, as I can assure them that they won’t feel as strange after seeing me.

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

Take a chance on some of the relatively unknown Australian local comedians who work tirelessly to keep the local scene so vibrant throughout the year.

Their shows are going to be the most relatable to local audiences and you’ll have that warm furry feeling that comes with supporting local talent.

Of course, don’t forget to spread the word about these local comedians to your friends, family and co-workers.

By seeing local talent, you’re helping to build the careers of Aussie comedians and one day you’ll be able to turn around and proudly say to your mates that you saw that famous comedian when they were starting out in a 20-person space in the backroom of a pub at MICF 2019.

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

I’m very much looking forward to checking out some shows as it was my admiration and enjoyment of other comedian’s shows that lead me to become a comedian myself.

I’m firstly aiming to see the two other shows playing at the same venue as my show at this year’s festival, these being staged by two fine local musical comedians.

Stew Walker — The Book of Snorin’ — Sleep Apnoea the Musical — as I once had to share a hotel room with a fellow comedian with sleep apnoea who had forgotten to bring along his breathing machine.

I’m hoping this show will bring some closure to that traumatic sleepless night.

Andy Moratis’ Songs to Swing a Cat To — working closely in comedic circles with this fine comedian, I’ve had some sneak previews of this show, but cannot wait to see it in its entirety. Should be a winner.

Other shows I’m intending to catch include:

The WTF?! Show — a top local trio of Melbourne comedians featuring a mix of sketch and stand-up.

Stevie Marr — Chairman Steve — as I might vote for Chairman Steve at the Federal Election this year, I figured I had better see the show.

Australia: A Whinging Poms Guide — just sounds like fun un-PC comedy.

Big Boiz of Brisbane Comedy — I’m intrigued.

Lights Out Laughs — even more intrigued. Comedy in pitch black darkness … where no one can see you laugh.

Free Comedy at Highlander — a great mix of shows on here throughout the festival.

What do you love about Melbourne?

As a Melburnian, I always enjoy comedy festival time.

It’s an exciting time to be in the city, seeing the throngs of happy comedy crowds enjoying the festival.

Melbourne comedy audiences are very supportive audiences and I’m amazed at how they can remain attentive for particularly long winded joke setups.

I remember one show I attended years ago, the comedian took 10 long drawn-out minutes talking about some very unsavoury topics in the setup, yet the audience stuck with it — it shows Melburnians love their arts as much as their sporting events.

Who or what is your comedic inspiration, and why?

Ron White, he is a US comic who never seems to leave the US for tours, but I discovered him online years ago and I hope to one day see him live.

I’m a great fan because he has a wonderfully easygoing style to his comedy.

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

Come see the show … support a local Melbourne comedian.

Then catch me after the show and lets have a drink to support the pub, too.

STEF JARIC, A GLASS HALF FOOL, MARCH 29-APRIL 18, THE CHARLES DICKENS TAVERN, 290 COLLINS ST. BOOK TICKETS