The gloves are off, and you're going to hear Lisa Sharpe roar at Melbourne International Comedy Festival (MICF).
The comedian is making a name for herself as a masterful storyteller, and what better way to do so than present a show that relates stand-up with boxing?
She has become well-known in northern New South Wales for her anecdotal comedy skills. She's supported the likes of Bev Killick, Mel Buttle and Ting Lim, been the headliner for Fabulous, Funny And Female with Vanessa Larry Mitchell, and presented an acclaimed solo show, 'Drown 'Em Out' at Melbourne International Comedy Festival in 2022.
Before she hits MICF again, Lisa gives us an insight into the new show 'Roar' by listing five themes in it.
One
Boxing. Boxing is a lot like stand-up comedy. You enter the ring or stage near naked, exposing yourself, and risk your life, well at least your dignity and integrity. You need a strong chin to keep your guard up, to protect yourself from people hurling abuse, and occasionally physical things, at you. You jab away, with your bits and your stories, to hook people in, and when you finally throw the punch, you are vulnerable. And when things aren’t going well, three minutes up there, like in a boxing ring, can feel like an eternity.Two
Mum In A Restaurant. Mum moved around a lot as a kid, So when you go to a restaurant with her, she likes to change tables a lot. You think she’s settled, but then you notice, a slight pursing of the lips, or a look of, something's not quite right. Her eyes dart around, and you are up again! She’s like Muhammad Ali dancing around the cafe and there is no way of telling which way she will go next, to which chair, or which table. You just need to be patient. Very f...ing patient!Three
Mum On The Phone. I love mum, she’s great. We speak on the phone a lot. Actually she speaks a lot. On the phone. Screaming into her Apple Watch. Can you hear me? Am I loud? Sue says I’m too loud? But it’s always fascinating, hearing about all these people I don’t know and their medical conditions. And what’s wrong with their children. And their children’s children.Four
Being Invisible. It’s good to be noticed, cause apparently I’m part of a social phenomenon called IWS, which stands for Invisible Women Syndrome which means that women of my age are invisible to everyone else, which is great cause I’ve just started stealing everything. The other day I walked out of Woolies with a whole leg of lamb under my arm juggling six potatoes, balancing a bag of frozen peas on my head. No one noticed. I rang my partner and said “hey honey, dinner’s on me”.Five
And More Boxing. Muhammad Ali said, “The fight is won or lost far away from witnesses, behind the lines, in the gym and out there on the road, long before I dance under those lights”. What I have also learnt about comedy, and life, is that there is something other than strength or heart, that keeps us getting up off the mat when we go down. For me it's about the people who are in my corner, when my lights are out, but mostly when I’m shining and dancing under those lights.This show is about them, and I only pick on the people I love. What I do know is, you don’t always win every round.'Roar' plays The MC Showroom (Melbourne International Comedy Festival) 13-15 April.
