Speakeasy Comedy
March 2013
Over the years the Melbourne International Comedy Festival has built itself into an extensive festival and each year you find yourself increasingly spoilt for choice.
Everyone worth seeing, who has managed to make a career out of stand-up, flies into Melbourne for the month to make up a program which can be quite overwhelming. For the first time this year a specially curated program will be held at the Northcote Town Hall for those who are looking to filter it down and fill their planner with slightly alternative comedy. Darebin Arts’ Speakeasy, a new ongoing and adventurous arts performance program, will present comedy that is not necessarily packaged in a classic stand-up format.
“It is comedy for people who love theatre and language, performance and puppets, comedy for people who are slightly left of centre and happy being pushed,” says Telia Nevile, who will be performing Live on Air with Poet Laureate Telia Nevile as part of the program.
Although her character takes her own name, Telia’s piece is centred on a teenage girl broadcasting a pirate radio show from her bedroom. The appeal of her performance, she says, is that everyone can relate to the experience of the outsider. She constructs tongue-in-cheek poems about everything from death metal to erotic fan fiction; ‘accessible things’ as Telia calls them.
Comedy is really the perfect medium to make frightening formats or taboo topics accessible. You may not consider yourself a person inclined to poetry although, if you enjoy hip hop or prettily worded novels, you may well be. “And there’s nothing funnier than a white chick trying to rap,” ensures Telia. While Telia’s character channels her desire to soliloquise on live radio, body poet Sabrina de Angelo flexes her face and limbs to get laughs. Many of the Speakeasy acts are designed to engage in more than one way and leave audiences with a different point of view, as well as laughter.
The array of non-conventional comedy does not discriminate against age. The Listies will be dishing up incredible comedy for kids which uniquely puts aside education and focuses purely on fun and outrage. Bron Batten will be bringing her very brave parents on stage for her show Sweet Child of Mine, in which she dissects what it’s like to be an artist and what they think she does all day.
The programming co-ordinator, Beau McCafferty, has worked with many of the performers before through the Melbourne Fringe Festival. McCafferty has an eye for eccentric talent and a solid place in the independent theatre and comedy world. This venture hopes to bring together both in one localised venue.
The Northcote Town Hall will be a new edition to a collection of fantastic independent venues which play host to young and upcoming comedians during the festival. This beautiful art deco building will be a place for seekers of unique humour to gravitate towards for the 2013 and future comedy festivals.
Darebin Arts Speakeasy, from April 1 to 21 at Northcote Town Hall, 189 High St, Northcote. Tickets can be purchased individually or in bulk at a lower price.
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