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RAW Comedy national finalist and Brisbane-based stand-up comedian Sian Smyth isn't afraid to be brutally honest.
Sian has performed all over the country and internationally, co-hosting the 'Comedian's Guide To True Crime' podcast and also featuring on Doug Stanhope's.
Sian's show 'Western Girl' is dark, twisted, and downright hilarious.
“I always get told I’m probably the darkest and edgiest comic working in Australia!” Sian says. “I genuinely don’t intend to be! I don’t go into writing a joke like 'I’m going to write a dark and edgy joke!' I’m a social worker during the day but I am also someone who should have one.”
'Western Girl' will delve into the darker side of life, as Sian shares her experiences of addiction, and the steps she took to get to sobriety.
“It’s mainly about addiction and my experience as a full service sex worker. It gets funny trust me, when I found clients unattractive I would steal money out of their wallets while they were in the shower – I called it an UGLY TAX! The show is done in the format of the infamous 12 steps and jokes that align with each step – and that then tells my story and journey to sobriety.”
“I love doing solo shows, the thing I’m least looking forward to is the ride home with mum after she has heard my jokes about being a sex worker and pooping on a dude,” Sian laughs. “I’ve had some beautiful moments telling this story of addiction, people laughing hysterically – no need to brag – but also wholesome moments and approaching me after shows saying ‘you told my mum's story up there – thank you’.”
It's safe to say Sian has turned lemons into lemonade through her comedy – taking some of the more negative moments of her time on earth and using her abilities as a comedian to work them into her routine, for audiences to take in and appreciate.
“I enjoy commenting on society and culture and also the complexities of the human condition – over the past two or more years I’ve really enjoyed the story telling aspect of sharing my dark and at times messed up life,” Sian explains. “In the words of Viktor Frankl: 'The attempt to develop a sense of humour and to see things in a humorous light is some kind of a trick learned while mastering the art of living'.”
In 2018, Sian made it as a national finalist in the RAW Comedy competition. She says it gave her a boost in the realm of stand-up comedy.
“It made me hopeful for my career as a stand-up, but it’s not a free ride, you've got to work your ass off after that to start pulling bucks in the comedy world!” Sian reflects.
“Working your ass off doesn’t always come naturally to comedians, we are very lazy by nature – and I don’t even have an ass, I just am one!”
Sian Smyth plays Factory Theatre (Sydney Comedy Festival) 27,29,30 April.
