Kate McLennan talks to Caitlin Crowley about her upcoming Melbourne International Comedy Festival show, The Enthusiasts.
Tell us a little but about your new character-based show The Enthusiasts.
This show features a whole bunch of new characters who all have a passion for something that takes over their lives – for better, and in some cases worse. The concept of the show was inspired by my time working at Rod Laver Arena last year when we had the Powderfinger concert – two girls were filming one another and tried to fake injuries to get backstage to meet Bernard Fanning. Now I have two Justin Timberlake fans who have a video diary that features through-out the show. Then we have a whole other range of characters who share their stories, Janine Irene – a self help guru, Chad – a lover of women and a few more.
Your award-winning show The Debutante Diaries was hilarious but unusually for a comedy festival show very moving. Should we pack the tissues this year?
I guess I’d like to think that my characters have a depth to them. I can’t really write a rounded character without having the light and shade – so there is a bit of darkness hovering under the surface of a couple of them. We see that they are barely holding it together – hopefully though the audience will be amused at the length the characters go to to disguise their imperfections. I don’t crank out the tears like I did with Sophie in Deb Diaries, so I think every-one will be safe to leave the Kleenex purse pack at home.
You toured The Debutante Diaries to Edinburgh, how did it go down?
Some nights it was rocking and some nights I may as well have been speaking Dutch. Overall though I had a great time – got some good reviews and such a great understanding of how it all works over there. Next time I think I’d take a show that had a broader appeal – not so much content wise but just in terms of marketing. Having said that though – if I did go back it would be with the view of kicking off my career over there and, well, I think there’s some great stories to be told here in Australia so I think I’ll stay where I am right now. We’re touring Deb Diaries next year nationally which will be such a thrill for me. One day though I would like to take it to the States – I have fantasies of a Tina Fey rise to fame.
And you are appearing in a new television show on The Comedy Channel?
Yes, lucky enough to be working on The Mansion – Michael Chamberlain and Charlie Pickering’s news satire. We start in the next couple of weeks which is going to be fantastic fun – I’m performing with Justin Kennedy in the news segments which I’m really looking forward to because I have been an admirer of Justin’s for a while.
Then there’s a whole crew of brilliant writers on board so it’s going to be lots of fun running amuck with them all.
I’ve often wondered what would happen if Guy Gerrity from The Debutante Diaries met Mr G from Summer Heights High?
Hmmm, yeah I’m a little freaked out by Mr G – well freaked out because I wonder how Mr Lilley came up with him, because, if Mr G, like Guy Gerrity, sprung from real life inspiration I fear for a lot of high school kids out there. They would probably have a Rock Eisteddfod dual – but while Mr G would be trying to get some stage time, Guy would probably be nipping off to the bathroom for a quick wank.
Kate McLennan – The Enthusiasts is on at Melbourne Town Hall, 20th March – 13th April Tues-Sat 7.15pm Sun 6.15pm from $15.00 – $20.00. For booking details go to the MICF website