Jumping into the spotlight today is Mark Trenwith, one of Adelaide’s more zany comedians. Mark’s show is a sharp, witty take on our social interaction with multi-media. His Virtual Flyer had me giggling at his street antics as embarrassed members of the public did not know where to look. He is on at the Rhino Rooms in Frome Street for 10 days and you can catch his show starting on the 10th March to the 21st March. We managed to catch Mark for a quick chat to put our 10 Questions…
1. What inspired you to become a writer, performer and comedian?
I was never really a sporty kid and didn’t have many friends. The connections I developed with other kids seemed to be based around humor and I developed great friendships around laughter and silliness. So it seemed quite a natural thing to transfer that passion onto the stage,
The best way to describe my style would be to say I draw comedy moments from actually going out and doing things the audience couldn’t dream of doing themselves (public stunts/social experiments etc) and not standing on a soap box and having a whinge. I present this in an expressive animated style with quite an over the top showmanship using multimedia, other performers, sound effects etc.
My target audience are intelligent alternatives between 25-44. They like the bravado and non-conformity of the ‘Chaser’ and the abstract obscureness of the ‘Mighty Boosh.’ They prefer ‘Kamahl’ to ‘Australian Idol’ and world music to car racing.
Generally I like to think I make the majority of people laugh, but the people who get into my comedy the most are positive, non-cynical, non-bogans who also appreciate a dash of the unexpected and obscure.
2. What’s your show about and what should the public expect from your show at the 2009 Adelaide Fringe?
In Express, I investigate what makes people ‘somewhat crap’ at expressing themselves with some brave social interactions. For example while exploring the idea of kindness I was actually threatened and abused just for doing something nice like throwing rose petals at peoples feet! I also entered an MC Rap Battle to explore aggression. I like to actually ‘do’ things in my comedy rather than just talk or whinge about it.
3. What was the last Fringe or Festival you performed at and what was it like?
I’ve performed in the last four Adelaide Fringes. They’re always a blast and I get something different out of each one.
4. What are your funniest and worst experiences performing in front of an audience?
Once I had to do a gig at a Scout Jamboree. 10,000 kids I was told I’d be performing too. But there was a horrific storm so no one came out of their tents. I was in a massive paddock performing to actually no one. Actually zero people. So the guy organising it went and dragged random kids from tents to come and watch me. They were very annoyed by this and definitely didn’t want to watch a comedy show in the rain. So they just threw donuts at me. So I threw them back. This got around and within seconds all these kids came out of their tents just to throw food at me. In fear I left the stage and they all shouted and stomped their feet demanding an encore. So I came back on stage for another 5 minutes of food throwing and they were delighted. It’s the only ever time I’ve had an encore.
5. What’s the best and worst advice you have ever been given? And did you follow it?
“The audience wants to see you win.” Was the best advice I was given by Raymond Crowe. It helps me to not be scared of the audience and see them as already on my side rather than people I need to get approval from.
The two worst pieces of advice was “you should swear more” and ‘do more jokes about moosies”.
6. What are you most proud of and what dreams or goals would you like to fulfill?
I’m most proud of having Michael Jacksons autograph and my dream would be to marry Batgirl
7. Which three famous people would you invite to dinner and why? And what culinary dish would you prepare?
I’d invite Skeletor and He Man because there is obviously tensions between them and it’d be interesting and hilarious to observe all their awkward dinner conversations. I would purposely stoke the fire in hope they end up in some ferocious battle. The third person would be Lamahl and I’d want him singing “To Shy” while they are fighting it out. I’d cook 2 minute noodles for the occasion. Or if it’s a good week I might even buy a pull-a-part to go with the noodles.
8. What is the best book or books you have read and why?
The Grug Series. This needs no explanation!
9. Tell us 5 interesting and unknown facts about yourself?
I don’t like burping!
I am a terrydactal from the future!
I have a moustache on the roof of my mouth!
I can speak to butterflys!
I invented the little dents you see on the bottom of margarine containers!
10. If you could change one thing about the world what would it be?
At 10.45 every morning everyone gets a free ice cream (or ice block if they prefer).
Tags: 2009 Adelaide Fringe, Australian comedian, Mark Trenwith, multi-media comedian