A skateboard store may not be the first place you'd look for comedic inspiration. For Melbourne-based comedian David Quirk it certainly wasn't either.
Although he’s worked at the same Melbourne skate store for most of his adult life, the idea sparked long after he became a regular on the Australian stand-up scene. “When I first started comedy, for the first six or seven years, I thought comedy and skateboarding were totally separate. No one wants to hear about a comedian who skateboards... But I just noticed that when you work in a shop, especially a skateboard shop, a lot of funny things tend to happen,” he laughs.
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With that inspiration, David sold out his pop-up comedy show ‘Trasher’, held in his skate shop, for a month straight. This May, the funny-man and self-confessed skateboarding addict is stopping by the Caloundra Events Centre, though not for some kick-flipping action. He’s onboard with the Melbourne International Comedy Festival Roadshow.
He’s never actually performed in Caloundra throughout his 14 years in stand-up, but the beach town certainly holds some fond memories for David. "One of the best memories of my 20s was doing well in a skateboard competition in Caloundra, so I've got a very soft spot in my heart for Caloundra," he reminisces.
With his current show featuring less skateboarding and more everyday comedic adventures, audiences can still expect a sidesplitting show. ”I talk about the ridiculous situations. My friend describes what I do as 'finding the peculiar in the familiar’."So it's not really run of the mill. I don't go for easy jokes very often. I let the crowd decide if it's funny, rather than force it down their throats.”
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Though after appearances on ABC programmes ‘Sammy & Randy In Ricketts Lane’ and Josh Thomas' 'Please Like Me', he’s finding the change of pace has reignited his love for the stage. “With stand-up, I don’t have to wait for someone to write a script for me, I don't have to put on makeup, and I don't even need a microphone.You can literally do it anywhere, you don't even need the stage.
“There's something a bit old-school, something very human about telling stories and making people laugh. That's why I keep coming back.”
