Award-winning performer Cam Venn makes a triumphant return to Fringe World with 'Shark Heist’.
Audiences may have seen Cam in shows like 'Balls Deep' and 'Charles Horse Lays An Egg'. Now, he brings this epic new production paying homage to the heist and creature feature film genres.
Armed with custom-made props, costumes and special effects, Cam will tell the story of Charles Horse – released from prison and ready to live a crime-free life. . . That is, until he finds out his best friend (and great white shark) Terry has been kidnapped and brainwashed.
Well, freedom and innocence was good while it lasted, right?
Charles puts his retirement plans aside, preparing to set out on his greatest heist yet. Along the way, Cam will transform into an ensemble of different characters as he acts and dances his way through a heartwarming tale.
Here, Cam tells us more about this must-see show.
What can audiences expect from this ‘one-man comedy blockbuster’?!
Expect custom-made props and costumes! Special effects! A hilarious homage to the heist and creature feature film genres! Expect heartwarming absurdity, belly laughs and nudity!
Tell us a bit about your start in this industry. . . How did you get involved in it?
From putting on shows for the adults at five years old, to busking on the streets at ten, performing and creating theatre has always been in my blood. After high school I was mentored by a wonderful clown, the late Frank Ryan. He threw me in the deep end and I did a million crazy gigs where I had to learn how to adapt to any audience and environment and think on my feet. After years of doing shows for kids, I needed to make something that was definitely NOT for kids. 'Balls Deep', my first solo show, was born, like a f...ed up kids show for adults, and became a cult hit. I continued to grow and my work was officially validated when I won the Golden Gibbo, Best Independent Show, at the Melbourne International Comedy Festival in 2018. 'Shark Heist' is my funnest show yet.
Who would you say gives you the most inspiration – in the performance industry or not – and why?
Off the top of my head. Lano and Woodley (loveable idiots, watched them on 'Hey Hey' when I was a kid and my little mind was blown), The Mighty Boosh (I love the commitment to absurdity and production values), my Uncle Jimmy (one of the weirdo artists who raised me), Dr Brown (Phil Burgers) (the absolute clown GOAT), Nathan Fielder (pure genius), Beyonce (queeeeen), my kids (funniest nutters around), my incredible partner Eva Popov (Hello Satellites) (boss!) and my Kapa Haka whānau, Te Hononga o Ngā Iwi (us Māori know how to bring the energy and aroha (love).
You’ve been known to ‘break taboo’ and push boundaries. What does it mean to you to have this kind of feedback?
I love how my audiences trust me. It is extremely important to me that they are with me and along for the ride. I have done some 'crazy' stuff on stage (been painted with honey, marshmallows thrown at my bum hole, had my penis vacuumed, and, of course, pushed a real uncooked egg out of my bum) yet still I manage to create such a safe and fun space for everyone in the room that the audience cheer me on and leave the theatre elated, connected and seeing the world anew.
This is a return to Fringe World for you. What do you love most about this festival?
Perth audiences are the best. They are fun, supportive and so up to have fun. It is very far from my home in Naarm/Melbourne but it is always worth the trek to get to play with you legends.
'Shark Heist' has a bunch of audience participation. Through your previous performances, do you have a particular audience memory that has never left your brain?
Haha, so many. Highlights? A man launching himself up a 1.5 metre stage in one mighty jump in Kalgoorlie to be an audience volunteer, a woman demonstrating the 'slut drop' dance move and me thinking she had passed out, someone in the front row giving me a shot of what I thought was water. . . It was tequila. . . Every show is different, every audience unique.
What’s the biggest challenge in presenting a one-man show like this?
To be honest this show has always been a joy to perform. Because there is a lot of audience interaction, the challenge can be when I have a shyer audience. I really have to listen to that and work with them to build the energy and trust so we can play together. I don’t enjoy when performers force volunteers or make fun of them and I say this upfront and genuinely celebrate and am grateful for everyone’s contribution. I may be the conductor but we are all in it together.
What’s your pre-show ritual?
I love to pump tunes and dance.
Describe 'Shark Heist' in four words.
Crazy, fun, awesome theatre!
Cam Venn plays The Gold Digger at The Pleasure Garden (Fringe World Perth) 19-28 January.
