In 2007 If.comeddies award winner Phil Nichol pleasured Melbourne audiences with his relentlessly funny show The Naked Racist. He talks to Caitlin Crowley about his 2008 show Hiro Worship.
Who is Hiro? And who’s worshipping who in this relationship?
Hirofumi Makama was a young Japanese dude that I met at the Hundred Club during a gig. I invited him to stay with us for a few days and he ended up staying for weeks. He worshipped me and I him, to a certain extent, however he was totally obsessed with Ronnie Wood, Mick Jagger and the Rolling Stones. It’s a fine line between rabid fan and mentalist stalker.
Are you kicking out the musical numbers and/or full-frontal nudity in Hiro Worship?
I have a full Rolling Stones tribute band joining me for a bit of Stones infused fun. There are some original songs and fortunately for me NO NUDITY!
You have been described as a mentalist. Does this mean you can bend spoons using only the power of your mind?
I’m a sane man in a mad man’s body.
What is more frightening: a group of skinheads on bikes, a guy wearing a scuba mask hanging out in a urinal or a Japanese tourist who overstays his welcome?
Hiro was never scary to me, but I did shock myself as to how easy it is to misrepresent yourself as a crazy person and how under the right circumstances something can be perceived to be a threat even when no threat is being posed. Ooops. Scary and FUNNY.
Hiro Worship plays Tues to Sun for the duration of the festival. Visit the Festival website for booking details.