An interview with Dave Ryan
In his First Melbourne International Comedy Festival show Dave Ryan presents Smorgasbord. Dave took the time to answer a few questions about his upcoming show. Will this show be similar to your Fringe Festival Show?
The show involves a different format and different performers to the Fringe Festival show I was in. It will have a small amount of similar content, but there will be a lot more stand-up.
Did the process of doing a Fringe show inform this show at all?
Having done the Fringe show was a big help in putting together this show, both for content and the peripheral tasks of organising a venue, marketing & publicity.
Tell me about the “Jim’s Comedians” idea.
The “Jim’s Comedians” idea is simply due to an impression I do as part of my stand-up. It allows for brand awareness, giving a hook on which to hopefully draw in an audience. Being unknown comedians, an image of us is unlikely to attract as much attention as one of “Jim” (who seems to be involved in everything nowadays). I contacted the Jim’s Group to check thatit was OK to use the image and name, and got the all clear from Managing Director, Jim Penman.
Why is the show called Smorgasbord?
The show is called Smorgasbord because, like an all-you-can-eat buffet, it has something for everyone: including sketch, stand-up, characters and song.
Are you doing this show by yourself or with others?
I will be joined by Diane Armstrong, originally from the UK and now living in Australia. She has appeared on Channel 31’s Champagne Comedy, performed in Politically Correct at the 2005 Melbourne Fringe Festival, and also performed in Adelaide and Sydney. Her humour has been described as both intelligent and indecent. She will have you thinking and squirming at the same time.
Give me an overview of this show?
The show has various offerings. With characters, satire, parody, and more, Smorgasbord crosses many genres (or, as we like to say: “it can’t be genre-lised”). There will be stand-up from both myself and Diane (about 15 mins each), plus a series of sketches on a variety of topics.
For details go to Smorgasbord