Looneytunes
Not one for being stuck in a pigeonhole, Tim Minchin is a musrdan, actor, comic and father. Anna Millar meets the man who looks like a scarecrow and IS terrifying the world of traditional stand-up comedy
s Tim Minchin rocks up at one of New A York’s plusher hotel lobbies. even the :
po—faced concierge can’t resist a smile. f The Aussie is trying to coerce a much-needed
tipple from the ornate contraption they’re punting as a teapot: ‘Jesus Christ. mate, this is a bit swank.’ The chaotic hair and
trademark black eyeliner are still in place from his gig the night before and although the crowd occasionally failed to ‘get him’, the pianist-come- comedian-come-wannabe rock star reckons there’s still reason to be cheerful.
As a recipient of the last ever Perrier Best Newcomer prize back in 2005, Minchin‘s loony tunes brand of comedy has afforded him success. both in his native Oz and in the UK, where he now resides with his wife Sarah and baby daughter. Violet. \ Western Australian born. '* .. he’s not your conventional PM
stand-up. Looming large from the ‘
shadow of Bill Bailey, Minchin’s shows are a rammy of songs. in turns clever and rude. absurd and irreverent. So what can an audience expect to get for their ever-increasing buck?
‘People are always asking me to define myself
and I say: “How do you define genius?“ Nah. seriously, I decided early on that I was never going to be a brilliant musician. singer or stand- up but discovered that if I put those things together. something pretty good could happen.‘ Previous shows have boasted jazz-like songs about inflatable dolls. overweight children and even a pop anthem about canvas bags. If his energy is boundless on stage — the maniacal grin. the wild-eyed patter, the Worzel Gummidge hair
\ .
‘THE DEATH OF COMEDY COMES WHEN YOU STOP TRYING NEW THINGS'
— then the occasional mixed response off-stage
provides ample inspiration.
'I realised a few years back that you can't please people all of the time. When I won the Perrier a few comedians said they didn‘t rate me. but I say fuck it. maybe I don‘t rate them. Just because I’m not standing with a mic going punchline. punchline. punchline doesn‘t make me any better or worse than anyone else. Besides. the death of comedy surely comes when you stop trying new things.’ Minchin readily admits that the drama elements of his stage
shows hark back to his early training in 07.. ‘I come from a theatre background in Australia. so I‘ve always been aware of having a presence and an individual style. so that‘s why I have the hair and eye make-up. The personalin and the stage persona just grew and grew.‘ As an actor. he has played Amadeus and Hamlet for the Perth Theatre Company and the Australian Shakespeare Company. Success aside. you get the feeling that Minchin wouldn’t mind a less chaotic lifestyle. The
golden rule is if he‘s touring outside the UK. the
family come along for the ride; but fatherhood has brought a new set of priorities.
‘Sure. I‘m happy that I’ve managed to build a career by doing the things that come most naturally to me rather than compromising anything I believe in. but it gets to the stage where you look out at the audience and think. “What next?” I‘ve moved to London. I have a new baby and I‘m often on tour. I‘d be lying if I said I didn't hope a great TV or film deal would come along one day. but you just go with it. you know‘."
With a Stateside agent now in place. and a penned sitcom attracting interest from the US networks. Minchin‘s ship could come in sooner than he thinks. but he's happy to take each day as it comes. Certainly he knows to expect the unexpected when it comes to all things Fringe. ‘l‘m in a bigger venue this year and when you‘ve done well in the past. there‘s always the temptation to knock people back down. But I‘ll take it on the chin.’
In the meantime. he's doing the rounds and perfecting his new material in Ready/or 7711's.". a trademark brew of tormented love songs. laugh- out-loud melodies and high-pitched spraffing about the woes of the world. ‘lt’s more of the same. only much. much better.‘ he laughs still grappling with the teapot. the mania slowly sweeping over his face. Then. suddenly. with a wife to see and a baby to feed. he‘s off. light on the rock but most certainly on a roll.
Tim Minchin, Pleasance Courtyard, 556 6550, 1-17 Aug (not 12), 9.45pm, £12.50—213.50 (£1 LSD—£12.50). Previews until 31 Jul, £5.
WIZARDS OF OZ Brian Donaldson picks five other Aussie acts who are set to be fair dinkum on the Fringe. Cobber. Mate. Etc l
Pig Island This acclaimed sketch troupe debut with Simply Fancy, a surreal fantasy tale inspired by 808 adventure movies. Gilded Balloon Teviot, 668 7633, 3-25 Aug, 9. 75pm.
£8. 50—E9. 50 (£7. 50—28. 50). Previews until 2 Aug, £5.
A man who has written comedy for Australian telly over the last decade brings us Beast/y, a stand-up show about Africa and the increasingly weird charity industry. Espionage, 477 7007, 37 Jul—9 Aug. 7.70pm, free.
16 THE LIST FESTIVAL MAGAZINE 31 Jul—7 Aug 2008
James Hazelden Dubbed the 'Bob Dylan of comedy music’. this chap who has toured with Circus Oz delivers songs about life, death. love and ninjas. Nicol Edwards, 226 0000, 2-23 Aug (not 4, 77, 78), 9.75pm, free.
This outfit claim they formed in 68 and having split. now reckon the time is ripe for a comeback. Gilded Balloon Teviot, 668 7633, 3—25 Aug (not 73, 20), 70.30pm. £8.50—E9. 50 (£7.50—L‘850). Previews until 2 Aug, £5.
Sean Choolburra With Live and Deadly, Australia’s cheekiest black comic will be yarning, rapping, dancing and didgeridooing. If that‘s a word. Edinburgh College of Art, 0870 247 0736, 37 Jul-24 Aug (not 5, 77 8 72. 18), 5.25pm, £8 (£7).