A quick chat with Ed Dolista from Live and Let Spy

AussieTheatre caught up with Ed Dolista – writer, director and one of the performers in Live and Let Spy at the Melbourne International Comedy Festival.

Tickets are still available for the final four shows of the MICF season at 1pm and 6:30pm today and tomorrow.

Ed began performing in 1981 in The King & I, after which he appeared in numerous stage productions including Les Misérables (1995, 2000 & 2005), Picasso at the Lapin Agile, Confusions, Romeo & Juliet, Boeing Boeing, Little Shop of Horrors and The Robin Hood Trilogy Special Edition, which he co-wrote with long-time collaborator, Ian Nash-Gilchrist and was remounted at the 2014 Melbourne International Comedy Festival.

The 20 Questions:

What’s your name and what do you do?
Ed Dolista – drama teacher and writer/performer

What’s your most underrated or unknown talent?
I make a great Chili Con Carne!

What makes you laugh?
Flying High or anything by the Muppets

What are you reading at the moment?
The Jim Henson biography by Brian Jay Jones

Who is your role model?
George Lucas

The world needs more…
Understanding

The world needs less…
Violence

What tools do you need to be creative?
A good idea and some coffee

What’s your happy place?
Walt Disney World!

Which show (other than your own) you think people should drop everything and see?
The Pyjama Men – great physical comedians!

What was the last piece of theatre/film/TV that really left an impression on you?
Les Miserables (on stage) powerful performances and music

There isn’t enough art about…
that is accessible

What three things can’t you live without?
The internet, my Wii U and my wife! (not in any particular order)

Go-to shower belting song?
I am I Said by Neil Diamond

If you could change one thing about the Australian theatre industry, what would that be?
More work available

What’s the most used app on your phone?
eBay with Facebook a close second!

What do you wish you had been told before starting in this industry?
Networking is very important as well as a good headshot!

What are you addicted to?
Star Wars

What city do you live in and why?
Geelong – great theatre community and close to everything!

Where do you see yourself in 5 years?
Performing our own work professionally!

Ed is currently appearing in Live and Let Spy at the MICF:

From the team that brought you last year’s hit ‘Robin Hood: The Untold Story‘ comes a comedy that will leave you shaken and stirred.

Can super-spy James Blonde and beautiful Russian agent Ivana Holdyurhanski stop the evil Dr. Maybe from destroying the world? Complete with car chases, giant lasers, moon rockets and an opening theme song performed live each performance, ‘Live and Let Spy’ is a must-see fully-staged spy send-up for the whole family!

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