Veteran comedian Bev Killick has been happily married to her husband Tony for 20 years.
She's always got a crazy story up her sleeve, having spent years travelling far and wide and making her mark in the comedy and entertainment industry across live gigs, television, commercials, and more.
Bev's showing no signs of stopping her galavanting and naughty ways, and Tony's heard it all. . . Or has he?
With her show 'Don't Tell Tony', Bev is letting audiences in on all the stories that don't make it through to Tony's ears. It's okay – he's too busy with the laundry, school run, cleaning the budgie cage and walking the dog. So there's plenty to discuss and a good amount of time to do so.
Without further ado, we kicked off the chatter with the multi-talented comedian ahead of Melbourne International Comedy Festival.
Tell us a bit about yourself and your brand of comedy.
I pretty much knew early in life that I wanted to be on stage. Being thrown into classical ballet as a shy four year old lead to me actually enjoying being in front of an audience. I started to develop my sense of humour early on and would invent characters and entertain my family. My mother was a costume maker so I was pretty much set. My father was quite a strict man and cracking a joke or being funny would intercept getting a 'hiding'. Being a little left of centre personality wise didn't hep me much at school, so I'd ward off bullies by putting on shows. Impersonations mostly, or I'd sing in the toilets. It was pretty obvious I was going to be a performer during my high school years and all I wanted was to be a clown, not just a class clown, an actual clown. As soon as I possibly could I enrolled in to Performing Arts at JCU. I studied, Avant Garde Theatre, Clown, Voice and Improvisation. At the same time as studying I was performing at a theatre restaurant that was hugely popular in Townsville. So. . . I've not ever really held a 9-5 job and can proudly say I've been in the biz for 30 plus years. I made the decision to look at stand-up at 32 years of age, after working in hospitality and watching the entertainment while waitering. Espy Comedy became my church every Sunday, I would go alone and soak it all up. After making a bet with a friend to who would get up and do five minutes, I won. Totally addicted from that very first nerve-wracking set. I gave up all other part-time jobs, was broke as hell for a few years and now 20 plus years on have finally reached a level of total contentment as a veteran in the field.
So, what kinds of stories will you be telling audiences in ‘Don’t Tell Tony’?
Pretty much the stories that Tony can't be bothered hearing from me. I'm pretty naughty and I'm not sure I'll ever grow up. He was fine with all my goings-on for the first ten years but now he doesn't want to know. I tell my manager Aaron instead, it always get him laughing. So. . . It'd be rude not to share.
What do you love most about the art of stand-up comedy?
I absolutely love seeing people laugh. It's my gift to the world. No matter what is happening in your life, theirs or on the planet, a good laugh can set you free from your burdens.
Where do you begin when it comes to crafting the material for a new show?
I've crafted this one with a time line. From how Tony and I met through to current day. The stories that are memorable are in there. Some he knows about but most of them he doesn't. If I didn't tell an audience that my stories are absolutely true they'd think I was lying. Believe me, I have some outrageous adventures to share. Only after an oath of 'Don't Tell Tony' is made.
What are you most looking forward to about giving this show to your audiences this year?
I didn't get to perform all shows last year. I've only performed it two times. I had such a fabulous time I literally am bursting to get it up again. I'm also proud to be delivering fresh material that even comic mates haven't heard before.
You’re a self-imposed ‘Crummy Mummy’. What’s the definition of a Crummy Mummy?!
A Crummy Mummy is just me being me and not fitting into a societal norms. I’m honest with both my kids. They ask a question, I tell the truth. I haven’t lost myself to parenting. I reckon it’s better for them to know the real me, I couldn’t stand faking it.
What, in your experience, is the secret to a long-lasting marriage?
Always have something to look forward to. Go on date nights. Let each other do their own thing. Don’t guilt trip. Know each other’s limits. Find a clever way to be angry at them with them knowing. I wear Tony’s undies cos he hates me doing it.
Describe the show using a lyric from any song you like.
“What a man, what a man, what a mighty mighty good man.”
Bev Killick plays Melbourne Town Hall and Mantra On Russell (Melbourne International Comedy Festival) 4-24 April.
