UK comedian Ollie Horn knows what he's doing – and that's why he crafted his show 'Before/After' to be appropriate for touring.
Ollie presented the show to sold-out Edinburgh Fringe audiences in 2021 before taking it on the road for a 14-city international tour. 'Before/After' is all about what happens when you try new things – it's feel-good, motivating, and will leave you feeling glad you don't get into nearly as many scrapes as Ollie does.
He's already played the show in Perth for Fringe World and Adelaide for Adelaide Fringe – now, he brings 'Before/After' to Melbourne International Comedy Festival.
We learn about 'Before/After' and Ollie's beginnings in stand-up.
This show has been quite the success already, outside of Melbourne! What has it been like to be so well-received by audiences internationally?
What an easy first question. Flattery and an easy opportunity to say how brilliant I am without seeming arrogant. I think British humour is distinctive, but I want to make shows that as many people as possible can enjoy, so I talk about things that everyone has heard of and can relate to: trying to exercise, cooking, and nearly sh.tting yourself in a McDonalds, that kind of thing. . .
The show’s description promises that audience members will leave feeling happier and motivated. Was this your intention from the beginning when you were writing the show?
Oh absolutely. I've watched some shows by some fantastic comedians, but I didn't leave the venue with a spring in my step. This show is a bunch of really funny stories, and a whole load of jokes about how life's better when you say yes to things.
There are themes about trying new things. Why do you think it’s important to do this throughout your life?
I think it's only important if you want to be cool and interesting. Lots of boring people seem to have a good life so maybe it's me who's got it wrong. But my mantra is just try everything. Worst case scenario is you end up paralysed in a Zumba studio, and I'll explain why in the show, but that's really an edge case.
Once upon a time, you tried a new thing called stand-up. What drew you to it initially?
I went through a break-up and this was my toxic response.
And has there been a main thing in particular which has kept you interested in the craft and wanting to continue?
To be a bit sincere (yuck) the better you get at stand-up the more interesting things you can talk about. It feels like unlocking levels on a video game when all of a sudden I'm able to make people laugh by talking about something that five years ago I'd have struggled to get laughs with. I suppose this is my way of saying if you saw me in Melbourne in 2018, come and watch me now and see how much better I am at comedy.
Summarise your show in three words.
Still tickets left.
Ollie Horn plays Elephant and Wheelbarrow (Melbourne International Comedy Festival) Fridays through Sundays 31 March-23 April.
