Comedy Fest Chat: Joel Creasey

In Rock God Joel Creasey recounts stories of his run-ins with celebrities, politicians, football teams, regional towns and his parents. He tells us that his mum once heckled him. Hope that you see him the night she’s there.

What MICF shows are you most looking forward to seeing?
Em Rusciano’s: Divorce The Musical
Hans: Like a German
Thomas Jaspers: God Save the Queen

What makes MICF different from all the other festivals?
It’s funny. Damn funny. Other festivals have burlesque, cabaret, circus and spoken word – you know, all those things that people pretend to enjoy because it’s cool but really you want to gouge your eyes out. Well MICF is just comedy. And everybody likes laughing.

What’s an absolute must do for you in Melbourne?
Well my ideal night would be a few drinks at Cabinet Bar on Swanston Street. Great cocktail bar and very popular with some of the big name comics if you wanted to do a bit of celeb spotting. Plus they make the best espresso martini in Melbourne. Then I’d see a few shows. I’d see one person I knew and then I’d take a punt on an unknown. After I’d grab a late dinner at Mamasita on Collins Street and cap it all off with the Festival Club late show, a few vodkas and a dance-floor pash. And if I muster the energy a night cap at Gin Palace.

What comedians/performers have influenced you the most?
Fiona O’Loughlin. She is the master. I’ve learnt basically everything I know from her. She is a force of nature.

What’s advice do you wish you’d been given before your first gigs?
Don’t wear that shirt. Nobody likes a quirky shirt.

Do you do still your own leafleting?
I have a confession: I’ve never done my own leafleting. Please don’t hate me.

What’s the best (or worst) thing a review has said about you or your show?
Well a reviewer once called me the ‘Acid Tongue Prince’ and he meant it in a negative way. I was stoked with it though and titled my first DVD just that.

If you could invite anyone to see your show (and you know they would come), who would it be?
Meryl Streep for sure. Or Ellen, her early stand up influenced me quite a bit.

What comedian (alive or dead) do you wish you’d seen live?
Phyllis Diller.

When did you realise that being funny is the career for you?
Oh all my life. It got me out of so much trouble when I was younger. Being funny has always been a coping mechanism for me. If I can laugh about it then everything will be all right.

What’s the best heckle you’ve received?
My mum once heckled me. She was then removed from the venue by security for being intoxicated. That was certainly both a career AND life highlight. She doesn’t remember it happening of course.

Is there anything you’re not prepared to joke about?
Nothing. Everything is on the table.