Joanne McNally has been taking the comedy scene by storm via sell-out tours, talk show appearances, and a hit documentary. She'll bring 'The Prosecco Express' to Melbourne this festival season.
The show addresses a few questions Joanne's got on her mind. As a woman in her late 30s with no husband, no kids, no pension and no plan. . . Who's going to watch her die so she doesn't have to do it alone? Can she start a GoFundMe to raise money for a tomb to be built for single people? Is drinking in the bathtub 'self-care'?
Joanne's first one-woman show, 'Bite Me', was nominated for a number of awards, and covered the topic of eating disorders. She's got a slew of TV credits and has also appeared on radio and in podcasts.
Joanne's signature storytelling comedy style will be on full display in 'The Prosecco Express'. We learn a bit more about what the Irish stand-up is bringing to Melbourne International Comedy Festival.
For anyone new to your stand-up, how would you describe your style?
I genuinely have no idea! I guess I tell stories rather than 'ba-dum-tss' jokes. I talk about the stuff that me and my mates talk about which is mostly men, bad sex and our mothers. My audience tends to be quite young actually, which is always a surprise. Lots of women my age but also lots of women in their 20s taunting us all with their fertility.
What inspired you to put this show together?
Men, bad sex and my mother.
What are you looking forward to about presenting it as part of Melbourne International Comedy Festival?
I’ve a large horn for Melbourne as a city, I lived there for a while in my twenties, as 99 per cent of Irish people do, so I’m dying to get my teeth into it again. I just loved it. I put on a tiny show there pre-COVID when I was still pretty wet behind the ears so it’s exciting to be coming back to perform to more than nine people at a time. Growth.
Where did your interest in the world of comedy/stand-up come from?
It’s a long story but the short version is I was in love with a comedian and he suggested I do it so I basically just did it to impress him. He’s gone now but somehow I’m still here.
What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever been given?
You’re not a female comedian, you’re a comedian and also If you’re going to take three sleeping pills on a long-haul flight make sure there are no stop-overs.
The Independent has described your show as ’strangely reassuring’. Is that something you intended for the show to be from its inception?
I intended nothing of the sort! But I like that quote because I enjoy being reassured by stuff I watch and listen to, and if it’s not a bit strange it’s probably a bit boring.
What kind of message do you want to send your audience once they leave your show?
I also do children’s parties.
Joanne McNally plays Athenaeum Theatre (Melbourne International Comedy Festival) 30 March-9 April.
