It was a comedy room attended whilst on an overseas trip that gave Steele Saunders the inspiration to begin the monthly comedy room Oh Snap!!!. “I’d been to the beyond awesome Comedy Death Ray in LA” Steele explained, “[I] wanted to try to replicate the energy of those shows (which are the best I’ve ever seen). [It was] a bit more of a party vibe.” At the same time he “wanted to try to get a new batch of people to come see comedy. I knew it would be a great learning experience, dealing with and meeting comedians, learning do’s and don’ts.”
Upon his return to Australia, Steele found a home in the Afterdark Bar through a childhood friend. “One of the owners, Liam, and I grew up in Rosebud together. We used to have drinks and make fun of stuff every weekend in my bungalow and now we pretty much do the same but people come to watch.”
In the first year of running Oh Snap!!!, Steele found that “trying to run a comedy room is really easy, running a good one is really hard. Staying motivated to promote the night is the biggest thing for me, doing the flier and getting it out takes some time but it’s essential, especially when it’s not an “every week” show. If you get good crowds you will get good comics. You can’t expect people just to turn up, you have to try use all the promotional methods you can.” Through his hard work, Steele was able to experience many memorable moments both on and off stage. “Seeing Jimoein in such a intimate little room was a treat, people were blown away by that surprise. After one show Sammy J hid in my friends boot and scared the hell out of me, that was just bizarre.”
As for the future of Oh Snap!!!, Steele plans to “keep it growing”, create “a place where comedians look forward to hitting” and striving to “have it on the same list as [rooms like] The Local or Mic In Hand.” Here’s to many more nights of Oh Snap!!!
Oh Snap!!!’s first birthday celebration happens on Thursday September 27th at Afterdark Bar (565 High St, Northcote, Vic). Sammy J, Anyone For Tennis, Celia Pacquola, Dave Quirk, Karl Chandler, Steele Saunders and a very special mystery guest or two will provide the entertainment. There will be plenty of Fairy Bread on hand. The party starts at 8:30 and entry is free!
Thank you to Steele for his time and words of wisdom. Steele wishes to thank “The Afterdark, St Arnou, all the comedians and the people that have checked out the show”.