This interview was received back on the 6th of September 2001. It was done via e-mail.
How long did it take you to write the yellow peril from sin city?
SIX WEEKS. PENGUIN GAVE ME SIX MONTHS TO WRITE IT, BUT I WENT AND JOINED THE CIRCUS, SO THEREFORE HAD TO GET AN EXTENTION. THEY GAVE ME SIX WEEKS TO WRITE IT OR ELSE GIVE THEM THEIR MONEY BACK.
What's it like to publish a book without passing English?
A: IT'S A MIRACLE. JUST GOES TO PROVE ANYTHING'S POSSIBLE. I NOW WRITE THEATRE SHOWS AND NEWSPAPER AND MAGAZINE ARTICLES, TV AND FILM SCRIPTS. KNOCKING ON WOOD. I WRITE HOW I TALK, JUST SPINNING YARNS REALLY.
What is your favourite stage show that you've been a part of?
DEFINITELY HAVE TO BE BIZET'S CARMEN. I PLAYED THE VIOLIN IN THE ORCHESTRA PIT, IT WAS MY FIRST EVER GIG, I WAS FOURTEEN. ALL THE SHOWS I'VE DONE I'VE TRIED TO HAVE AS MUCH FUN AS POSSIBLE, THAT'S WHAT IT'S ALL ABOUT. EVERY SHOW I'VE WRITTEN HAS BEEN AN IMPROVEMENT ON THE LAST ONE SO THAT'S GOOD FOR ME.I HAVE A BALL IN THE WOG SHOWS THAT WE DO.
Did you like being your character on Wog Boy?
I LOVED IT. PEOPLE COME UP TO ME AND RECITE MY LINES AND TELL ME IT'S THE FUNNIEST BIT, WHICH IS NICE.
You've also worked with Ningali Lawford on Black and Tran, where did the ideas come from for that?
WE MET IN A PUB IN FITZROY AND STARTED TALKING AND TELLING EACH OTHER STORIES. AFTER ABOUT THREE HOURS, WE JUST THOUGHT GEES THERE'S A SHOW IN THIS. WE BOOKED INTO THE MELBOURNE COMEDY FESTIVAL, WROTE THE FIRST MINUTE, THE LAST JOKE, THEN JUST WENT FOR IT.
What was it like performing Black and Tran in Hong Kong?
WE GOT A DIRECTOR IN FOR HK AND THE SHOW'S A HUNDRED TIMES BETTER NOW. WE SOLD OUT EVERYNIGHT FOR BLACK AND TRAN. IT REALLY FREAKED THEM OUT. THE AUSSIES GOT REALLY HOMESICK AND THE CHINESE THOUGHT NINGALI WAS AFRICAN. WE EVEN GOT ON CNN WHICH WAS A HOOT.
What inspired you to become a comedian?
POVERTY. I WAS PLAYING THE VIOLIN IN A COMEDIC STRING QUARTET, THE COMO STRING QUARTET FOR ABOUT TEN YEARS, THEN THE RECCESSION HIT US REALLY BADLY. SO I THOUGHT WHAT CAN I DO WHERE I DON'T HAVE TO SPLIT MONEY WITH THREE OTHER GUYS. SO STAND UP IT WAS.
What's the most interesting story of your childhood?
MY WHOLE CHILDHOOD WAS AN ADVENTURE IN ITSELF. WHAT INTERESTS PEOPLE MOST IS THE STORY OF MY LIFE AS A NINE YEAR OLD LIVING ACROSS THE ROAD FROM THE PRESIDENTIAL PALACE, THEN HAVING TO LEAVE IT ALL AND JUMP ON THE BOAT AND BE A NINE YEAR OLD KID IN AUSTRALIA EATING CORNFLAKE SANDWICHES 'CAUSE WE DIDN'T KNOW WHAT TO DO WITH IT.
What made you decide not to have a show at the Melbourne Comedy Festival this year?
I WAS IN SYDNEY DOING WOG STORY AND IT OVERLAPPED. I'VE GOT A NEW ONE FOR NEXT YEAR THOUGH, SO CHECK IT OUT. IT'S CALLED- HUNG LE; SURVIVOR 3; SURVIVAL OF THE PHATTEST.
How do you find the whole comedy festival experience?
I LOVE FESTIVALS. I'VE BEEN GOING TO THEM ALL AROUND THE WORLD SINCE 1988. IT'S THE BEST FUN I EVER HAVE. THEY'RE FULL OF YOUNG PEOPLE FROM AROUND THE WORLD DOING SHOWS AND HAVING FUN JUST LIKE MYSELF. I MEET PEOPLE AND LEARN ABOUT THEIR CULTURES AND WE WHOOP IT UP. WHAT CAN BE MORE FUN THAN THAT?
What's your favourite place in Australia to perform?
I LIKE ALL THE PLACES WE GO WITH THE WOG SHOWS BECAUSE THEY'D BE FULL ALL THE TIME AND IT'S LIKE ROCK N ROLL AND A SOCCER MATCH ALL IN ONE. I LOVED THE ESPLANADE HOTEL. I LIKE ANYWHERE THE PUNTERS ARE LAUGHING.
If you were asked to produce a television show, what would it be about?
IT'D BE A NIGHT TIME VARIETY SHOW VERSION OF BLACK AND TRAN FOR SURE AND IT WOULD ROCK.
What's coming up with you? Where can audiences see you next?
I'M WRITING A NEW SHOW FOR THE FESTIVAL SEASON COMING UP IN THE SUMMER. HK IN JANUARY, PERTH FRINGE IN FEB, ADELAIDE FRINGE IN MARCH, MELBOURNE IN APRIL, NZ IN MAY AND THAT'S ABOUT IT FOR NOW.
Is there anything else you'd like to say?
ID'S LIKE TO SAY SUPPORT COMEDY, FREE THE REFUGEES AND DON'T PAT STRANGE DOGS.
© Dominica Malcolm/Malcolm Media 1999-2009, ComedyDownUnder.com
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