Comedian Josh Glanc is the happiest he’s been in two years and he’s ready to let off some steam in his new solo show ‘Vrooom Vrooom’, so buckle up, it’s going to be a rough ride.
Just one look at the press image for ‘Vrooom Vrooom’ tells you more than you’ll ever need to know about the show and how Josh is feeling to be back on stage.
“I’m the happiest I’ve been in two years, it’s the first time I feel like myself in two years to be honest,” Josh says.
Astride a Harley Davidson that’s pouring blue smoke, Josh stares longingly into the camera while licking a leather glove, wearing nothing but briefs and boots, a leather jacket slung over one shoulder.
It’s an image that speaks a thousand words and one you can never truly un-see. It’s also an apt representation of what’s in store for audiences when they ride shotgun with Josh headlong into ‘Vrooom Vrooom’ at Sydney Comedy Festival.
“It’s basically like a surreal ride, so the motorcycle thing is quite fitting,” Josh says.
“It’s a surreal ride through my whacked out imagination, and you never quite know where we are, and things constantly change. You think you know where we are as an audience, and you’ll be like: ‘okay I know what this is’.
“And then in a few moments, the goalposts will shift. It’s a constantly surprising ride that you’re on and there are lots of twists and turns; just as you get your bearings, it’s changed again. I love making comedy like that, I love this sense of ‘what’s about to happen, what’s going on?’ and there’s a constant sense of that running through the show.”
Having already performed ‘Vrooom Vrooom’ at Adelaide Fringe Festival to great success, Josh says he’s developed a niche following of fans.
“I definitely appeal to particular groups who came to the show in Adelaide, that’s for sure,” he laughs. “It’s either people who are into Harley Davidsons or gay guys who want a bear, that’s basically who I’m bringing in.”
All jokes aside, Josh’s return to live performance follows a whopping 293 days he spent in lockdown between London and Melbourne in 2020 and 2021.
“I didn’t play it too well,” he admits.
“I left London when it was in lockdown to perform at Melbourne International Comedy Festival and that was a great feeling because Australia was open and London was closed. But then when our comedy festivals finished, we soon went back into lockdown and then London opened up, but it was too late for me to leave. I didn’t want to leave to be honest, even though we were in lockdown; it was nice to be with my family again.”
‘Vrooom Vrooom’ sees Josh expand on the offbeat comedy style of his previous show ‘Glance You For Having Me’ with more musical comedy and original songs. Just like the press shot, Josh promises his new show is something else entirely.
“That’s exactly what the show is,” he laughs, “the show is basically something else. It’s this surprising, wonderful experience, and that’s what the picture is.”
Josh Glanc plays Factory Theatre (Sydney Comedy Festival) 30 April-1 May.
