He’s the roof-tiler turned comedy box office star.
He’s the roof-tiler turned comedy box office star. He’s sold more DVDs in this country than any other comedian and his ticket sales aren’t too shabby, either, but it’s been six years since Melbourne International Comedy Festival audiences have seen Carl Barron on stage. He’s back this year with a brand new show, called A One Ended Stick.
What part of the world are you in at the moment and what have you been up to today?
“Sydney. At the moment, I’m typing questions for Beat magazine.”
What part of Sydney is home for you?
“The part where everyone is allowed to be whatever they want to be.”
It’s been six years since you last did Melbourne International Comedy Festival – why such a long time between visits? Did we do something wrong?!
“No it wasn’t you, it was me. I just needed a break. I needed to see other festivals. No reason.”
What have you been doing in the interim?
“Work mainly. I don’t ever have much to do; I avoid doing as much as possible. People think I’m busy… I’m not.”
Your website says you are studying French? Why? Where? How’s it going? How fluent are you?
“I don’t know why – je ne sais pas por quoi –it makes me seem exotic. Small school in Sydney, slowly, not fluent but I have a really good accent which makes people think I’m fluent!”
It also says you are writing a novel. Can you tell me a bit more about that? What’s it about? Do you have a publication date?
“The novel is about a fictitious person who resembles myself. It is about me, I mean him. It is a comedy even though I tried to be serious. Whenever I try and be poignant people think I’m being funny. What can I do? Release date: it took Goethe 50 odd years to write Faust so relax… before I die, I promise.”
Your media release says this new show, A One Ended Stick, will be a slight departure. What’s inspired this?
“I like to travel to different destinations/push myself. You get older, you try different things.”
It’s described as being a monologue/stand up/ music show – can you elaborate a little further as to what this actually means? What can audiences expect to see?
“It’s me doing what I do. Normal form. Me talking about my life… that’s it really…”
How does music work its way into the show – are you singing? Do you have other musicians performing with you?
“Just a song, nothing fancy. I try each show to sing. I think I’m getting better. No other people will be there except my sub personalities.”
What topics will you be talking about in this show?
“My body. Ants. LSD. Having a bath. Mangoes.”
What are you most looking forward to about performing as part of this year’s Melbourne International Comedy Festival?
“The same thing: making people laugh with a little wee.”
Sales pitch time – why should people come see your show?
“I wont make fun of you – just life.”
Carl Barron performs A One Ended Stick at The Palais Theatre from March 31 – April 24. It’s at 8pm Tuesday – Saturday and 7pm on Sundays. Tickets are $29.90 – $49.90 and available through Ticketmaster online, 1300 660 013 and at the door.
