Canberra comedian Chris Ryan is clapping back, the only way she knows how – stand-up comedy.
Through her no-nonsense comedy style, Chris presents her new show 'Extreme Tenant': inspired by real events and another example of Chris' talent for 'monetising failure'.
Transitioning from a career in journalism, Chris has become a prominent figure in the Aussie stand-up scene. In 2019, she earned the Best Newcomer award at Sydney Comedy Festival. She's performed at major comedy events and appeared across different media platforms around the country.
Before she presents another hour of her effortlessly dry, relatable humour with 'Extreme Tenant', we speak to Chris about the new show, her hopes for audiences, and what keeps her grounded.
Your new show’s called 'Extreme Tenant'. For those about to catch it, give us the lowdown – who (or what) exactly is an extreme tenant?
The show title was inspired by a comment from someone on a no-buy garden group on Facebook. She assumed, from my post, that I was an extreme tenant, and rather than post a witty comeback, I made a show about it. I think the general assumption is that renters are sub-human — they invariably trash the property, destroy the garden and can be trusted with nothing more than weeds. As you can imagine, I found that attitude confronting.
The show bio mentions you obsessing over a Facebook comment from a stranger named Barbara. Do you think social media has made us all a bit too invested in the wrong things?
Any time I spend online would be better off spent with friends in real life. I know this, yet I still scroll Marketplace for hours and balk at organising a catch-up with my favourite people on the earth. Figure that one out! I think it’s overwhelm. I read an article that said we are now living in a time of 'meta-crisis' and although I don’t really know what it means, that checks out.
You mention an influencer couple stealing your joke and using it for their own content. Do you have any commentary in regards to this phenomenon especially when it comes to things like TikTok, etc?
I wonder if reducing creativity to 'content' has created generations of people who can no longer discern, let alone value, quality and originality. But then I worry that I am just being an old, narrow-minded fuddy duddy. Maybe it’s fine to call yourself a creative by stripping someone’s audio out of their joke without asking first – a joke that took years to hone and even longer to get filmed for TV at a comedy gala – and playing that joke under video footage of your wife laughing as she empties a children’s blow-up pool. Maybe they are creative geniuses; they have 1.6 million Instagram followers and I have 18 thousand. The kicker was when I asked them to pull it down and they were outraged and one of their followers told me I should be grateful they used my joke.
There’s a lot mentioned about overthinking and letting random junk live rent-free in your head. Has comedy helped you declutter mentally, or just added more weird stuff to the pile?
Comedy is the only way I have found, so far, to monetise failure. I run a comedic lens over my own foibles and basically say ‘we’re all idiots, it’s OK!’ and that actually makes things feel a bit less scary. . . For me, at least.
Your style is often described as dry, relatable, and cutting through the noise – how would you describe what people can expect when they see you live, particularly for this show?
Ideally, I want people to reliably expect to laugh, a lot, when they see me live at this show. . . Frequently and right out loud. Don’t come at me with your titters, your snickering or that hand covering the mouth ‘tsssssssssss’ like my nan used to do. It will be real, honest, raw and a bit rude but hopefully you will agree that I am undeniably right and funny. Isn’t that what we all want?
You touch on everything from face care routines to scrolling Marketplace. How do you decide what everyday absurdities are worth turning into material?
Wow, okay. This question feels like a polite suggestion that I should probably be more judicious in my choice of content! Hahaha! [cringe emoji]. My life is 100 per cent everyday absurdities, if I didn’t see it that way I probably wouldn’t be doing stand-up. The more seemingly innocuous the better; I have bits on popcorn and deodorant this year. I am not going highbrow or philosophical (that’s not quite true, I go a bit deep in parts), I’m talking about the minutiae, but that’s where the funny is, I reckon.
What's something you’re hoping audiences walk away thinking (or maybe questioning) after seeing 'Extreme Tenant’?
Ideally, “That was deep and dumb and funny all at the same time!” But aside from my selfish desire for them to recommend me to others and help pay my rent, I hope audiences might take a moment to consider their life choices, appreciate what they have and tend to their garden – be it one of people, plants or both.
Finally. . . What’s something that helps you to slow down or stay grounded these days?
Cooking a meal, spending time with my kids and people I love and ripping bamboo out by the root.
Chris Ryan plays Brisbane Powerhouse (Brisbane Comedy Festival) 1-4 May, Regal Theatre (Perth Comedy Festival) 9 May, and Enmore Theatre (Sydney Comedy Festival) 15-18 May.
