Kate Dolan was always told she was a bit weird.
But she's weird in a totally hot, totally fun way – which some would argue is the best kind of weird to be. . . 'A Different Kind Of Unhinged'!
The comedian, who has built a committed online audience through her (absolutely normal) sketches under @thekatedolanshow, will regale audiences with tales of how she managed to bear an unbearable job, the refreshing perspective that can come from grief, and the phone call that changed her life.
She's already entertained the masses at Adelaide Fringe, and she's well into her Melbourne International Comedy Festival slot.
As she wraps it up and prepares for her Sydney Comedy Festival run, we get Kate to fill us in a bit more on her offering.
For those new to your material, how would you describe your comedy?
Really, really, very bloody silly, loads of energy and lots of commitment to absurd ideas. I enjoy a simple thought that we probably all have and then lifting the flaps of my brain to find the weirdest view I’ve ever had about it, the oddest way I could deliver it and then doing it on stage and finding that lots of people also have weird brain flaps. It’s mainly a conversion camp to make everyone my best friend and start a sleepover club.
Can you tell us about when you first figured out that comedy might be something you’d like to properly pursue?
When I was younger, me and my best friend used to pretend we were the radio hosts from ‘Fairly Odd Parents’ and we would get told off for laughing too loudly. I’ve always loved making people laugh and laughing myself. I started taking comedy seriously later in life when I realised that you had to be in it to win it. You can be making your friends laugh every day but they aren't going to pay you for it. I also just love it so much and wanted to do it more and then, you know, ‘why not me?’.
What are you bringing to comedy festival season in ‘A Different Kind Of Unhinged’?
I am putting on a frickin' jazzy show. I respect that people are spending money in this economy on coming to see me, you best believe I am going to entertain. The sheer energy exerted is unhinged, even if you hated the whole thing, which you won’t, you will go ‘my god that was a lot of sweat’ and isn’t that akin to an elite athlete at the end of the day? I might also be addressing the most important conversation of our time, is Hilary Duff the greatest to ever do it? (yes).
Where do you begin when crafting a new show?
I usually have these wild ambitions of being able to come out of the floor and do an aerial ropes routine (you’ve had your turn P!nk) but then I think, why not sprinkle in some jokes for a laugh? I do like a theatrical element to a festival show, and I like to think of the big picture of the show first and how I can fill that in. It changes so much from the start to the end but I love starting with a big, ambitious idea and doing my best to fulfil it.
You’ve already treated Adelaide audiences to this show and finished up there. How did that go?!
I loved the Adelaide Fringe, I was in a very small space which was like putting a rabid dog in a small cage so it was a challenge not to accidentally (or on purpose) spit on someone during the show. But it was great to see if I could calm down (I couldn’t) and whip the writing into really good shape without breaking out into a dance when a joke doesn’t work. I was absolutely buzzing my baps off to firstly be nominated but to go on and win the Emerging Artist Award, so I’m very thankful and grateful to the Fringe for the support!
What would you say is your favourite thing about Australian audiences?
I think Australians have a great sense of humour, never taking things too seriously. At the same time because most Australians are funny f...ers themselves you have to work hard to impress (you better work bitch), which is why some of the best comics have come out of Australia.
If you could explain the power of comedy in two sentences. . . What would you say?
Feeling less alone. Comics have a real knack of finding light in the dark.
When people leave ‘A Different Kind Of Unhinged’, they should definitely be feeling __________.
That thing you’ve always wanted to do, you might just give it a go. And also that I am coming for P!nk's job.
Kate Dolan plays Queen Victoria Women's Centre (Melbourne International Comedy Festival) until 20 April, and Factory Theatre (Sydney Comedy Festival) 1,3 May.
