Q&A with Max Attwood, That’ll Teach Me

Join Max Attwood on the learning curve of a classroom life past its use-by date.

Max Attwood Melbourne Comedy Festival 2019.

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

Life lessons learned from staying in school too long.

Stories about accidentally setting kids on fire, jokes about four-square and interesting facts about whales.

THE A-Z OF COMEDIAN Q&AS

YOUR GUIDE TO THE MELBOURNE COMEDY FESTIVAL

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

I’ve spent the two years since my last MICF show trying to explain adverbial clauses to 12 year-olds.

I also made the terrible decision to allow a sixth grader to call me the worst name he could think of.

I’ve had to explain puberty to a lot of kids, and a few adults as well.

Who should see your show, and why?

Anyone who has children, has taught children, or has been a child.

The show revels in the joy of childhood, a time when the world was full of potential, bags always had snacks in them, and love was intense and brief.

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

Catch the train before the one that will get you there on time. It always takes longer to get to your venue than you think it will.

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

Martin Dunlop is an absolute genius, and his new storytelling show Small Tales of Little Mercy promises to be bizarre, intelligent and utterly unique. Andy Matthews and Alasdair Tremblay-Birchall are two of Melbourne’s smartest comedians, so I can’t wait to see their sketch show Magma. The four of us all started out together on Channel 31 some 10 years ago, and it’s great to continue to be inspired by all of them.

What stands out to you about Melbourne?

Everyone wears black all the time, no one knows how to walk on a footpath properly, and we’re all really good at ignoring the people screaming about nothing.

Who or what is your comedic inspiration, and why?

I don’t want to answer, because all my previous comedic inspirations have turned out to be awful people. I don’t want to put anything in writing that will come back to haunt me.

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

I promise not to make you talk to me.

Max Attwood, That’ll Teach Me, APRIL 8-20, Loop Project Space & Bar, 19-23 Meyers Pl. BOOK TICKETS.