The Groggy Squirrel

Alan Brough is this year performing his own one man play called Top Town at the MICF. He was kind enough to talk to “The Groggy Squirrel” about it.

In previous Melbourne Comedy Festival outings you’ve directed a lot of other people’s excellent shows, I remember Tripod in particular, how did you start directing other people’s shows?

I can’t really remember so it’s highly likely it was a drunken conversation in the Hi-Fi bar during the Comedy Festival. That’s how a lot of things in my career have come about. I think.

Did directing make you understand the sort of performance you wanted to do?

Working with people like Tripod, Charlie Pickering, Sam Simmons and Andrew McClelland has inspired me to try and be funny and interesting so in that respect yes.

What is it like working with Todd McDonald?

An absolute delight. He’s an extremely thoughtful, intelligent and talented man. His influence on Top Town is immeasurable.

I gather that you wrote “Top Town” and I understand that it is autobiographical, is the town based on where you grew up in New Zealand, although the play is set in Australia?

The town is based on where I grew up but also on my recollections of the many small towns in both Australia and New Zealand I’ve visited.

Has it been fun, creating all of the characters in the play?

It’s a real challenge and like anything that you’re not sure if you’ll be able to do successfully some days it feels great and other days you want to go home and drink red wine with the doona over your head.

You’re Smallest Room in the House episode was amazing and memorable, did it have an impact on your career?

That’s very kind of you to say. It did have an impact in that it taught me a lot about performing and being on TV.

What’s it like being so very widely known through Spicks & Specks these days?

It’s lovely. People you’ve never met smile at you in the street.

Do you think Top Town might now attract different audiences to the ones you used to?

My other forays into solo work have been pretty unsuccessful so I’m not actually used to any audience. So hopefully yes.

You have done stand-up, theatre, television Drama and film, panel shows, and directing other people’s shows, now theatre writing as well. What do you prefer to do?

All of them. Which technically isn’t stating a preference I suppose.

Why should comedy punters come and see Top Town?

Because I provide two opportunities during the show where you can leave if you’re not enjoying it.

For booking details go to Top Town