There's a fabulous, filthy and downright hilarious show coming back to Adelaide, as Vanessa Larry Mitchell hits the Fringe.
The queen of sass and the force behind Northern Rivers comedy club Larry Laughs Loud, Vanessa will once again take Adelaide Fringe audiences on an adventure, covering the trials and tribulations of parenting, dating, and just all things female, in general.
When she's not making people laugh with her stand-up, Vanessa is also a Mental Health First Aid Facilitator with 20 years' experience in the Community Sector. This background, combined with her skills in entertaining as a comedian, makes Vanessa one to watch in the realm of comedy.
She took home Best Comedy at Newcastle Fringe last year, and now it's Adelaide's chance to see what all the fuss is about, all over again!
We find out a little bit more about the show from Vanessa herself.
What are you most looking forward to about bringing this show to Adelaide Fringe?
My first debut of this show was at the Adelaide Fringe in 2021 and the show has been going nuts since then. The show has evolved and changed over time, so I'm keen to bring it back. I know some people who are going to come and see it for a second or third time. A car load from Broken Hill are driving down for their third time to watch it. Quite the compliment!
Any Adelaide-related plans outside of your show dates?
I think this year I'll be doing a lot or bar-hopping and relaxing. Although I can't wait to get back into the Darkfield experiences in the Garden of Unearthly Delights. They run these really trippy sensory experiences in shipping containers that make you question reality.
Why do you think ’Teardrops On My Dildo’ is a good fit for Adelaide Fringe?
This show is a good fit for anywhere. I want everyone who isn't a prude to come and see it. Or even bring the prudes and I'll try and sway them. I'm really hoping to see some more blokes at my shows this year. The title obviously scares some of them off, but the ones that do come are usually doubled over laughing along with the ladies.
Where did you begin when the show was first being formulated? Did the show start with a particular idea?
Initially the show was going to be called '50 First Dates'. I was going to write a book about dating, so the intention was to date the sh.t out of as many people as I could and then write about each experience. But eventually I got bored with dating and went into hiatus. So the show name got changed to 'Teardrops On My Dildo'. I really need to get back out there dating so I can work on a new show.
Aside from of course laughter, what’s the ideal audience response to 'Teardrops On My Dildo'?
I've had people wet their pants laughing a few times. I'm not sure if you can get a bigger compliment as a comedian than that? I've suggested to people to wear their continence aids to the show if they have weak bladders and they think I'm joking. It's a genuine hot tip, especially for the mums.
Any particularly memorable (for better or worse) on-stage moments with audiences in recent memory?
I had a couple of older men in an audience recently, who didn't seem to be laughing much through the show. They came up to me afterwards and said it was the best comedy show they'd ever been to but were sh.tting themselves in case I targeted them with content. Hopefully the word gets out that I'm not that type of comedian. Unless there's a dickhead in the room, I don't want anyone to leave without having a great time.
When you’re not on stage, you’re a Mental Health First Aid Facilitator. From that perspective, talk a bit about your views on the benefits of comedy/laughter to improve mental health!
The show really aims to change social perception of what it means to be a woman and give us a bit of power back in the dating realms. I've been described as a bit of a modern day feminist, which I think basically means I can advocate for women's rights, but in a way that is hilarious and doesn't offend men. And I get to keep my bra.
Vanessa Larry Mitchell plays Downstairs at The Howling Owl (Adelaide Fringe) 7-18 March.
