A pandemic and a bunch of lockdowns aren't exactly good ingredients for someone discovering a new career path – but Josh Glanc made it through and he's in the right place.
Leaving the stability of a law career to pursue stand-up, Josh sought his true self in a new realm and then spent two years in lockdown between Melbourne and London.
Josh's show 'It's Great To Be Here' is all about tackling those intrusive thoughts reconsidering his career choice, and rediscovering why he wants to perform – all through characters, surrealist sketch, original songs and comedy.
Josh tells us more about the show before he presents it to Perth audiences as part of Fringe World.
You’re coming back to Perth for the first time in three years. What are you most looking forward to about returning to Fringe World?
The audiences. I know I bang on about this a bit, but Perth audiences are the best (at least for my brand of comedy anyway). They are totally up for it, and because my shows can be pretty wild and unexpected, it’s great to have audiences that are really open to being taken on a ride – and Perth audiences always seem to be!
How about outside of the festival – any WA-related plans while you’re there?
I’m actually facilitating a corporate retreat for Woodside Energy staff. It’ll be three full days of wearing clown make up and red noses. At the end we’ll have a talent show and winner has to register an event at Fringe World 2024.
You’ve taken this show (formerly titled ‘Vrooom Vrooom’) overseas in London, Edinburgh, and closer to home in Melbourne where it has been met by sold-out crowds. How has it been to present it to different audiences?
I love this show, so I end up having a lot of fun doing it regardless of where I’m putting it on. I am though particularly looking forward to now doing it in Perth. This show started in Perth. The last time I was here I did a work-in-progress in 2020 and a lot of the ideas and sketches that now make up this show began then – so finally I can bring it back now it's complete.
For a Josh Glanc newcomer, how would you best describe your comedy style?
My shows are very fun. There’s lots of random songs and surreal and frenetic moments. It’s basically a pretty wild ride and you never quite know what to expect. There are also some nice tender moments that will make you cry and want to marry the person sitting next to you.
There are a few characters to meet in your show. Can you give us a little hint about who we might come across in 'It’s Great To Be Here'?
There’s lots – and they kind of all blend in with me. There’s a very masculine and a very feminine truck driver, a little kid at a gender reveal party, a singing tree – you know, just the usual.
When you begin to formulate a show, how do things start?
My bits often start with something very very small – often it’s a phrase that randomly pops into my head, or an accent that comes to me, or maybe its something I see on TV that I find funny – basically, there’s something that comes to me that really tickles me – but it's not a bit – it's just something little I find funny. I then go about by playing with it to work out how to make it into a joke.
This show has existed for a while but has had a rename. What made you want to change things?
So I did the first iteration of this show as a work-in-progress in Perth in 2020. The show is virtually unrecognisable from that season, but still, I wanted to completely distinguish this run from that one so I wanted to change the name and show image. Also, 'It’s Great To Be Here' is a way better title for what the show is now about.
What would you say is the most important take home message in your show?
Live your truth. Don’t marry your cousin. Namaste.
Josh Glanc plays The Gold Digger at The Pleasure Garden (Fringe World) 20-29 January.
