After a, ahem, huge 2006 that saw him nab the “Best Newcomer Award” at the Melbourne International Comedy Festival, Sammy J is heading to Adelaide with his 58 Kilograms of Pure Entertainment.
Sammy, or “J” as geeks call him in an attempt to be hip, will be performing at Adelaide Fringe 07 in his first solo show in that city.
The title of your show, “58 Kilograms of Pure Entertainment”, suggests you’re promising big laughs from a little bloke. Tell me about your show.
This is my Adelaide solo debut, so I’ve designed the show as a bit of an introduction to the world of Sammy J. It’s a collection of all my best songs and material, plus a few surprises. Unlike my previous shows, there is no narrative or video element – meaning more time to play with the audience, chat to the piano, and generally get a good vibe going amongst fellow comedy lovers. There will be soft-core nudity, but nothing to be afraid of.
In the past, you’ve thrilled audiences with songs, videos, amusing chat and other stuff too numerous to mention. What can the “58 Kilograms” audience expect from the show (as a single gal, I know I’m hoping for an extended period of muscle flexing)?
I’m glad you asked – the show’s really been designed with single women in mind. In between each song I’ll be making love to one lady. If crowds go well, this will keep me busy; if I only have one lady in the audience, however, she’ll be a little tired by interval. Alongside the intercourse, there’ll be plenty of backwards singing, solo duets, bird interpretation, and dodgy metaphors. Also, just to clarify, there will be no interval. The J is a dish best served whole.
In an interview with the Sydney Comedy Fringe Webzine, you told the interviewer that you were into “wacky” and “theatrical”. Just how wacky and theatrical is “58 Kilograms” going to be?
That interview was misplaced; it was actually referring to my grandfather’s funeral. We had a smoke machine and strobe lights going during the eulogy, then when the cremation began a twenty-strong choir dropped from the ceiling singing “Burn, baby burn”. I can’t promise a twenty-strong choir, but I can guarantee a cremation or two.
I was disturbed to read that you appeared in the Melbourne University Law Revue and that you had a “childhood political career”. Were you a law student and a member of the youth wing of a political party? Do these experiences come back to haunt you in your latest show and what the hell were you thinking?
I completed half my law degree before realising I had spent two and a half years distracting other people in class and learning very little myself. I’m afraid there will be a select group of lawyers unleashed on the world in the coming years with large gaps in their knowledge because they were unfortunate enough to be in a class with me. Being part of the sketch comedy law revue was the saving grace, however. In a group like that you have to hone your ideas very quickly and it certainly influenced my writing and performance. One song in the show details a certain milky encounter with Bob Hawke as a young child, but I shan’t give away more than that.
Does being about the same size as Nicole Richie ensure that lots of mums turn up to your shows with care packages? Please tell me why punters should flock to the Adelaide Fringe to see your show for reasons other than fattening you up (as Dame Edna would say, I mean that in a loving way).
Well might I say, the fattening up reason is good enough for me. In fact I’ll go out on a limb here and say that anyone who brings a cake – as in a full, homemade cake – can get into my show for free. Other than that, I’m a skinny man with plenty of songs and a love of juice. If you like musical comedy, if you like it white and nerdy, or if you can’t afford Tim Minchin, come and share an hour with me. And if that hasn’t convinced you, I have a song about fingering. Tickets on sale now!
Sammy J – 58 Kilograms of Pure Entertainment, is on at The Rhino Room, 20th – 31st March 10:15pm Tue-Sat, $18/$15