He’s got more hats than the mad hatter (figuratively speaking) and now comedian/actor/writer Matt Okine returns with his brand new show ‘The Hat Game’.
A multi award-winner and nominee, Matt’s impressive resume includes a stint on the Triple J breakfast slot, co-writing and starring in the television adaptation of his stand-up show ‘The Other Guy’ (not to mention releasing the show's soundtrack single ‘Warning Signs’) and hosting an ABC TV Cooking series.
Here Matt Okine takes a moment to hang up his many hats (clear the hat rack please!) and answer some questions about his new show.
Your show is called ‘The Hat Game’ – is that a nod to the many hats you have worn in your career as a comedian, writer, actor and broadcaster?
It's got more to do with my hat collection and the covering of my head, to be honest. A mosquito bit my on my bald patch last night. That was a low blow. VERY rude on the mosquito's part. If you're gonna say it, say it to my face, not my insecurities. I wasn't even wearing a shirt! It could've had any part of me it wanted. I have big juicy nipples that most mosquitos would die to have a nibble on, but instead this one had to chopper right onto my bald spot and cop nothing but skin and bone. That's like going to a buffet and only eating out of the bin.
How would you describe ‘The Hat Game’? What inspired this show and what can audiences expect?
I feel like a lot's happened to me in the past twelve months. I saw a house burn down. I slept-walked semi-naked through a 5-star hotel. I did my first ever sex scene (as in – for TV, not for real life :/). It's been a big year for me, and a lot has happened around the world too. I want to capture that.
This is your 7th solo show – how does ‘The Hat Game’ differ from your previous shows?
The last few shows I've been doing radio on the side, or making my TV show, 'The Other Guy'. This year, I took some time off and went travelling. I put on 10kg, eating and drinking my ass off around Europe. But for the past six months I've been able to dedicate 100% of my time towards stand-up for the first time in five years, and I'm feeling match ready. I'm Michael Phelps fit at the moment (To be clear – that's 'Michael Phelps at the Beijing Olympics' fit, not 'Michael Phelps on the bongs' fit...)
The promotional material for this show features a colourful list of advice your father gave you growing up – what would you say was the best advice he ever gave you and why?
My dad's a dentist so lots of it is weird dental advice. For instance, I'd be 18 and about to go out, and he'd say things like, "Oh, if you're going to drink some beers tonight, maybe take some cheese along so you can neutralise the acids in your mouth to protect your teeth"... It's like, yeh right dad! I'm sure the bouncers won't mind me bringing this big log of Vintage Cheddar into the club. That's me – the creepy cheese dude on the dance floor. *smdh*
There is so much potential in stand-up comedy for performers to get swayed off topic or lose their train of thought, has this ever happened to you? And how do you maintain your composure on stage?
I was once doing two shows at the same time in Hong Kong. It was across two seperate rooms, and I was the MC. I would bring an act on, and then run next door, and bring another act on in that room, then run back to the first room, and bring the next act on, etc. At the time, I was doing a joke about 'armed robbery training' which showed me demonstrating a particular stance you're supposed to do if you're ever being robbed. At the end of my show, I would usually do a 'callback' to that joke by telling a story about getting mugged, and the punchline was me performing the ridiculous "stance". Except... When I got to that part of my joke – the big finale – I launched into the "stance" and there was complete silence. Not a single titter. And suddenly I realised that I'd told the start of the story in the first room, but not in the second room, and none of this audience had any idea what the hell this weird stance I was suddenly doing was. But there I was – dead silence – standing like a complete idiot. They must've thought I was some strange interpretive dance cross-platformist. Eventually I said "I didn't tell you guys about armed robbery training, did I? And they all just shook their head. And that was the end of the show... What. A. Pro.
Have you ever had to deal with hecklers while performing? Can you share with us any particularly memorable interactions you’ve had with an audience member?
Bomaderry, NSW. The name still gives me chills. I turned off the NRL game that was mid-play on TV's so I could inform everyone that the show was starting. HOLY SHIT that was a bad move. Turns out they weren't there to see a couple of comedians tell some nifty little jokes. They wanted to see men hitting each other. And if they weren't going to get it from the TV, then I was probably their next best option. Then there was some back-and-forth yelling, I told them they were losers, then they started screaming that they were going to get me as soon as I got off stage. Literally the whole room was screaming at me. The owner made me exit through the secret back door and it wasn't in the 'Justin Bieber leaving the club, doesn't wanna get snapped by the papparazzi' kind of way either... I've never been back. I feel like there are still wanted signs of me around that place.
As already mentioned, you’ve held quite a few career titles in your life yet comedy seems to always suck you back in – why is that?
Because I love it! It's the only thing I do that's 100 per cent me. Radio and TV and music is all a collaborative effort, but everything I do on that comedy stage is 100 per cent just me. PLUS when I'm doing comedy, I only have to work one hour a day! Then I get to have dranks and hang out with people who came to the gig, and kick around town after it's all done until I'm stuffing my face with some kind of fried yellow food covered in extra chicken salt. It's seriously the best job ever. I've been doing it since I was 18 and I don't think I'll ever stop. Even if I win the lotto, I'll still do comedy. Except the gigs would happen on my yacht, and the audience would just be piles and piles of all my millions.
You have already toured with the likes of Dave Chappelle and Chelsea Handler, is there a comedy legend you would love to work with and why?
I've been listening to Sarah Silverman recently and she's amazing. The way she hits searing, social observations with such solid tongue-in-cheek is genius. That said – I was disappointed Chris Rock didn't ask me to tour with him last year too. He was probs too scared of my skills.
You have quite a busy tour schedule with multiple performances in some locations; as well as shows in a new state every night. How do you deal with the stress and chaos of travelling and how do you maintain your passion for performing?
I've been swimming a lot recently, and when I say "swimming", I mean, going to a pool, and floating on the bottom, on my back, just staring up out of the water contemplating how big the universe is. I really like doing it. The life guards – mind you – have no chill when it comes to dudes floating at the bottom of their pools... So I try to keep them informed before I do it. And apart from that – I love all the travelling. I love the gigs. I love meeting people. I love finding new places to eat and drink. And I can't wait to do it again in March!
Matt Okine Tour Dates
1-4 March – Brisbane Powerhouse (Brisbane Comedy Festival)9-10 March – The Arts Theatre (Adelaide Fringe)
22 March – The Street Theatre (Canberra Comedy Festival)
29 March-22 April – Melbourne Town Hall (Melbourne Comedy Festival)
10-11 May – Enmore Theatre (Sydney Comedy Festival)
12 May – Regal Theatre (Perth Comedy Festival)
