The UK's Maisie Adam is buzzed to be playing as part of this year's Melbourne International Comedy Festival (MICF).
She enjoyed a sell-out leg of her debut tour as well as a highly acclaimed run at Edinburgh Fringe, and now the comedian, whose career kicked off in 2017 after winning the 'So You Think You're Funny' competition, will bring 'Buzzed' down under.
Maisie will also appear alongside a selection of UK comedians dubbed the 'Best Of The Edinburgh Fest' ('BOEF'). The line-up including Maisie also features Ian Smith and Markus Birdman.
Before Maisie hits the stage at MICF with her witty observations, high-octane energy and right good jokes, we had a chat with her about all things comedy.
Your first ever stand-up show was seven years ago. What’s the most important comedy-related lesson you’ve learnt since then?
Keep writing! Don't get comfortable once you've got a good set, instead start working on a new one. It's helped me not only get better at my joke writing but also helped with my stage presence, as I don't go into autopilot with a set that I've been doing at every gig I do over and over again. It sounds obvious but you'd be surprised how many comedians I started out with are still doing the same material!
And what nugget of advice might you have for a budding stand-up comedian wanting to make it big?
Go and see as much stand-up as you can. And all types of comedy. . . Go to sketch nights, cabaret nights, improv nights, stand-up showcases, new act nights, etc. Go to everything from open mic nights to a big TV name's tour show. You'll come away either inspired, determined, or confident that you can do better – whatever it is, it will teach you what to do or what not to do – there'll be something to take from it! See things you think you'll like and things your'e not sure about, you might be surprised! And all of it will shape your comedic identity.
In 30 years of the 'So You Think You’re Funny' competition, you’re the fourth woman to have won it. How did that feel?!
Obviously it was amazing to win it, but it was also quite a shocking statistic when I heard it because I've been inspired by lots of funny women throughout my life. I suppose it's indicative of a male-dominated industry and culture though, where there was only room for one woman on these shows, if she was lucky! I'm thankful that I'm coming through in a much more inclusive and varied industry compared to the women before me.
What do you love about the art of stand-up most?
Every night is different. It's certainly not boring! You're gigging all over the place every single night to completely different audiences so it's a constant reset – it keeps you on your toes! I love that, the fact that you never know what's going to happen.
You’re bringing your show ‘Buzzed’ to MICF. Tell us a bit about it!
It's a super uplifting, optimistic show that is about all of the things I'm buzzing about. I wanted to write a show that looked ahead rather than back at the last couple of years, and wanted to give my audiences an hour of just pure joy. No dramatic moments, no plot-twists, just proper belly laughs and a real sense of joy when they leave.
You’re also appearing in the 'Best Of The Edinburgh Fest' line-up. Who’s joining you?
I'm back with Markus Birdman and Ian Smith, who are two excellent comics from the UK. We did 'BOEF' in Adelaide 2020 and were due to come to Melbourne but then, someone ate a bat and we had to go home. We all left Australia gutted that we didn't get to come to Melbourne, and now three years later we're finally getting our chance!
How does it feel to be part of a show where you’re labelled among the ‘best’ of something?!
It's a real honour! Edinburgh Festival has so much to offer, so to be grouped as acts that were deemed among the best is a real treat! The UK comedy scene is at such an exciting point at the moment, and I hope we bring a real reflection of that in the show – no pressure!
What are you most looking forward to about being a part of this festival in particular?
Seeing lots of other shows! Honestly I've been reading the programme and there's so much on offer I can't wait to take it all in; thank god I'm here for a month so I can hopefully cram it all in. But I'll be taking my own advice from earlier and trying to see a bit of everything – that's what festivals like this are for!
Maisie Adam plays Melb Town Hall - Cloak Room ('Buzzed') 3,10,17 April and appears in 'Best Of The Edinburgh Fest' at The Capitol 30 March-23 April for Melbourne International Comedy Festival.
