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10 Questions: An Interview with Darren Hassan

Wednesday, March 11th, 2009

Today we interview the charming, Darren Hassen whose show Everynight, Everynight is a gripping drama about Australia’s most notorious hitman.  Not for the faint hearted, this graphic theatre production is being staged at the Old Adelaide Goal and runs from the end of February to the 13th March.  So let’s put our 10 Questions to Darren to learn more about him and his show, Everynight, Everynight…

1.    What inspired you to become an actor and entertainer?

A desire to perform and a richer social life. At the time I started doing theatre I was looking for a challenge and came across an audition notice for an amateur musical.  Having no experience since High School drama I thought ‘why not?’ and went along anyway.  They cast me in a minor principal role and it kind of went from there,

2.    What’s your show about and what should the public expect from your show at the 2009 Adelaide Fringe?

Based on real events ‘Everynight, Everynight’ is about the early life of Christopher Dale Flannery, Australia’s most notorious hit man, in Pentridge Prison’s infamous H Division during the ‘70s. He is subject to brutal bashings, mind games and humiliation until he finally ‘resigns’ from the human race and instigates an uprising. This forces a public enquiry and exposes the corrupt prison system and its practitioners.  It is a graphic, brutal yet honest account of prison life in the 70’s and viewers should expect to be challenged and confronted by the content of the play.

3.    What was the last Fringe or Festival you performed at and what was it like?

Prior to living in Asia for 5 years, I last performed in the 1998 Adelaide Fringe in a show called ‘Bouncers’ by John Godber. The show was a hit and we ended up doing 3 return seasons.

We followed the Fringe with the Melbourne International Comedy Festival where we were received exceptionally well. It was a great experience and the buzz of festivals is something all artists should get to experience at least once in their careers.

4.    What are your funniest and worst experiences performing in front of an audience?

Funniest- would have to be during 1999 Melbourne Comedy Festival. We were performing ‘Bouncers’ and an audience member was in hysterics. He had a contagious laugh and I caught the bug. Couldn’t stop laughing onstage and it took a few minutes to compose myself.

Worst- doing the same show, having an audience member become abusive during a monologue due to the content of it. She wouldn’t let up and was ruining it for everybody, so she was ejected from the venue. Quite a tense moment!

5.    What’s the best and worst advice you have ever been given? And did you follow it?

Best- timing is everything!
Worst- nothing comes to mind.

6.    What are you most proud of and what dreams or goals would you like to fulfill?

Am quite happy with my family life being the priority over performing.  I’d still like to gain more exposure not only as an actor, but as a director also.

7.    Which three famous people would you invite to dinner and why? And what culinary dish would you prepare?

1 -  Andy Warhol because I loved that his whole life was a work of art. I’d prepare a Laksa for him as it has a great mix of flavour and colours – a bit  psychedelic if you like!

2 -  Jesus Christ because I consider him to be the greatest example of compassion and understanding we’ve ever known. For him I’d make my Nan’s curry with Naan bread. I guess being from the mid east he’d appreciate that.

3 -  Nelson Mandela- he’s a truly beautiful soul and has wisdom beyond his years. His story is inspiring and he never gave up. I’d offer him a traditional Aussie BBQ as I think he’d be happy with the simplicity of it.

8.    What is the best book or books you have read and why?

The Bible not only for inspiration, but for historical info. I just finished reading ‘The 5 people you meet in Heaven’ by Mitch Albom and loved it.

9.    Tell us 5 interesting and unknown facts about yourself?

1-    I was once a full time Australian Soldier, and was selected for the SAS (Special Air Service).

2-    I can speak Mandarin Chinese almost fluently after living in Taiwan for 5 years.

3-    After studying Theology and becoming a Christian Youth Minister, I left the church because I hated the politics and hypocrisy of the system.

10.    If you could change one thing about the world what would it be?

More peace, love and tolerance from all sides.

Tags: 2009 Adelaide Fringe, Bouncers, Darren Hassan, Everynight Everynight, Mandarin Chinese
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10 Questions: An Inerview with Jean Lucas

Tuesday, March 10th, 2009

Today we interview Jean Lucas, founder of f L’Institut Cie from Brittany, France whose clown act, Mr Wilson is an intriguing solo clown act with a difference.  While we think we have seen clown acts before, be aware, be very aware that this is inspiration with a twist.  Performing at The Garage International venue at Najjars, Mr Wilson is a comedy clown show for adults as well as children.  Brace yourselves as this is the Mr Wilson’s first time in Australia…

1.    What inspired you to become a performer, dancer, writer, comedian, musician entertainer (please edit/add in how you would describe yourself here)?

As far as I can remember, I have always been drawing, painting or sculpting; so naturally, I went to Art School, to study painting and sculpture. It is then that I met some Americans, amazing jugglers, who had been working in the circus (Barnum & Bailey in the US). We became very close friends and decided to start a show together.  Apart from juggling, they mastered a lot of techniques; I was very much interested in theatrical characters (Commedia dell’Arte).

I had the feeling compared to these friends that I couldn’t do anything; indeed, I  was very clumsy and subject to stage fright to an amazing extent, until some day I realized I could use all that as a “weapon”; the audience loved it…that’s how my clown character, Mr Wilson, was born.

Our first show was a great success, we did two more, toured almost all over the world (Canada, the US, lots of countries in Europe, Africa, India).  When we stopped, I decided to go on and develop a solo clown show.

2.  What’s your show about and what should the public expect from your show at the 2009 Adelaide Fringe?

My show is based on a classic clown scheme: the character is sent on stage to do a show for the first time; he’s both petrified and very happy (could be the chance of his life…). His start is somewhat chaotic, lots of flops, but eventually, using his own everyday  tools (vacuum cleaner, pressure cooker and so on …) he manages to rig up a show and finishes triumphantly,  if not in a classical way.

People usually love the character, because, I think, they relate to him; we have all been off balance, out of  place or in embarrassing situations in our turn; that’s why the character has a sort of “universal” side to him.  What the audience should expect from my show at the 2009 Adelaide Fringe ?  Well, I hope they’ll have a good time and laugh a lot.

3.  What was the last Fringe or Festival you performed at and what was it like?

The last festival I performed in was in Normandy (near the city of Caen, west of France), in a very small village and was organized by performers (friends of mine). I played in a very nice circus tent.The atmosphere was beautiful, lots of people (mostly locals who attend this festival every year), the whole thing was very well organized and I think I did a very good job (lots of laughter, applause and nice smiles after the show, good energy, very nice memories!!!).

4.  What are your funniest and worst experiences performing in front of an audience?

One of the nicest experiences, if not the funniest one, was a few years ago; I had played the show not far away from Paris and a very, very old man came up to me and said that he wanted to thank me cause he had not been  laughing that much for years; that was very touching….

As far as the worst ones, for some reason, they’ve always taken place in France, in some street theater festivals. When the festival is not professional enough, or the audience not used enough to seeing live shows, it can happen that children start “heckling” and nobody either from the organisation or the audience makes a move to stop them; other performers reading this will surely understand what I mean; it is an horrible situation, you can respond to it for a while, but of course, if it goes on for too long, you completely lose your concentration and your character…  One time, I had to stop the show, very sad…

5.  What’s your greatest achievements to-date?  And, what dreams or goals would you like to fulfill?

I performed in a lot of places around the world with the friends I started with. There’s a lot of great memories of the shows we did together. I’ve realized that Mr Wilson, my clown character is very universal, I mean that he “works” in different countries, which is not always the case.

So, my big goal/dream is to work all over the world and to be famous; not for the selfish sake of “being famous”, but because it would make it even easier to play all over and have a chance to crack up people in as many places as possible.

6.  What’s the best and worst advice you have ever been given? And did you follow it?

The one person whose advices I always followed is my old Art teacher, whom I still see as often as I can; I remember one thing he told me particularly; he said that in developing my solo show, I should listen to suggestions, but in the end always follow my own intuition, which I did. I think that was a very wise advice.

As far as bad advices, there’s none I can remember at the moment; just a thing, though, I know my dad, although he never told me directly, was worried about me going into such an adventurous and uncertain profession. He hinted it at times; I didn’t follow the “advice”, although I normally always did listen to him cause he was a very good man.

7.  Which three famous people would you invite to dinner and why? And what would you prepare for them to eat?

It’s a funny question; well , I know three I would like to meet or to have met : Sean Connery, Clint Eastwood and John Ford, all of them cinema people. Two of them have Celtic origins like myself. I like the first one for his sense of humour, the second one for the great films he made, and the third one for his great skill in depicting characters. I think I would prepare some sea food along with very good wines.

8.  What is the best book or books you have read and why?

There’s a lot, but the one that comes to my mind is “Ivanhoe” by Walter Scott. I got intensely wrapped up in the story based in England in the Middle Ages, a very intricate mixture of adventure, impossible love, fighting for freedom and loyalty.

I read it several times and surely will again. I was fascinated by the author’s skill in depicting in a such a vivid way the gap between the Norman masters of the time and the vanquished Saxons. His extremely accurate use of a very rich vocabulary amazes me every time. A voyage both through time and human passions.

9.  Tell us 5 interesting and unknown facts about yourself?

I have always been very interested in Celtic culture; actually I have played Irish music since I was a kid.  I’m partly a Breton (a Celtic nation from the west of France),  I speak the language fairly well and I’m deeply attached to that identity.  I have a passion for figures and miniature soldiers; when I have time, I sculpt and cast my own tin soldiers.  I love learning new languages.  I love good wines and good whiskey (especially scotch).

10.  If you could change one thing about the world what would it be?

A very hard question ! Well, if I had this power, I don’t think I’d change anything; it seems to me that all the people who tried only seemed to make things worse;  The world is sometimes terrible, sometimes beautiful, and that’s the way it is; in a way, it’s what makes it greatness. In my little corner, I am trying, on stage, to give people whatever beauty, good energy and laughter I can. That is, I feel, my “contribution” to make things better.

Tags: 2009 Adelaide Fringe, Clown, French Comedian, Jean Lucas, Mr Wilson
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10 Questions: An Interview with Mark Butler

Sunday, March 8th, 2009

Today we interview the immensely funny British comedian, Mark Butler who presents his show Let’s talk about SEX at the 2009 Adelaide Fringe.  Mark’ delivers a witty lecture on sex education in the guise of an old fashioned science teacher!  He is on at the Electric Light Hotel in the Beer Garden from the 28th February to the 14th March from 9.00 pm each evening.  Let’s have a chat with Mark…

1.    What inspired you to become a comedian?

I wanted to prove to people that I was funny. When I was a kid my parents didn’t laugh at my jokes. I think this is because they wanted me to go to university, and they thought being funny would stop me going. Isn’t everyone’s motive to spite their parents or their first girlfriend?

2.    What’s your show about and what should the public expect from your show at the 2009 Adelaide Fringe?

It’s a sex education class for grown-up boys and girls. But it’s not just an hour of dick jokes. This is a tongue-in-cheek look at how sexual attitudes have changed over the centuries, and how religion continues to play a part in sex education. This is clever dick stuff. And there are lots of puerile gags about sex. It’s part comedy, part education – I call it Comeducation.

3.    What was the last Fringe or Festival you performed at and what was it like?

I love all Fringes equally. But Adelaide is better than the others because the punters are fun and buy you drinks after the show. Hint! Hint!

4.    What are your funniest and worst experiences performing in front of an audience?

I once got heckled by a baby. A lady brought a baby to one of my gigs and started breastfeeding through a punchline. That was both funny and horrible. And it put me off breasts for a while. And I’m sure the same woman has followed me on every plane ride since.

5.    What’s the best and worst advice you have ever been given? And did you follow it?

The best advice is always the advice that you agree with. With comedy, you can’t afford to take too much advice otherwise you lose the point of comedy – expressing your own ideas, not someone else’s.

6.    What are you most proud of and what dreams or goals would you like to fulfill?

I am proud of the fact that I rarely use the same gags in different shows. In this show there are only 3 gags from last year (out of about 200). Some people are lazy and recycle the same gags for every festival. Recycling may be good for the environment, but not for the punters.

7.    Which three famous people would you invite to dinner and why? And what culinary dish would you prepare?

I would invite Ghandi, Tina Turner and Inspector Rex. Why? They are the three most prolific Pictionary players in the world. And we could all eat ham sandwiches, except for Ghandi who would eat crackers. And Ghandi could bring his own salt.

8.    What is the best book or books you have read and why?

I wrote a book. Surely I have to plug that? It’s a novel called Red’s Playground for Disobedient Dinosaurs. The title gives it away, eh?

9.    Tell us 5 interesting and unknown facts about yourself?

I put wasabi in fruit salad – try it!

I used to be a Maths teacher.

I once travelled around Japan wearing a horse’s head.

I once had an ingrowing hair on my scrotum which I cut away using nail clippers.

I only did this show so that people would refer to me as a ‘sexpert’.

10.    If you could change one thing about the world what would it be?

I would make Q&A sessions much shorter.

Tags: 2009 Adelaide Fringe, British Comedian, Mark Butler, Sex Education
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10 Questions: An Interview with Klara McMurray

Saturday, March 7th, 2009

In the spotlight today is the versatile, Klara McMurray whose show is a comedy cabaret of misadventure as she travels to a foreign land.   Klara is performing two shows, one at the La Boheme venue which is currently sold out and the second at The Garage International at NACC.  So let’s chat with Klara to learn more about her and her show…

1.    What inspired you to become a performer, musician, writer, comedian, and entertainer?

I think it was a combination of seeing Young Talent Time, bad musicals and the clowns at the circus. I used to choose which character I’d play in the musicals and then cry because it wasn’t me. Young Talent Time just made me frustratingly inspired because I knew my mum wouldn’t let me go to the talent school (she thought it tacky and commercial) and the clowns had me in awe, the way they made everyone laugh. I wanted to experience that!!!

2.    What’s your show about and what should the public expect from your show at the 2009 Adelaide Fringe?

My show is called Miss K in IL Mio Amore and based on my cabaret character: Miss K, a brash, sexy, somewhat confused bottle-blonde vixen. Miss K escapes prison for what she believes is the mercy killing of her enemy Cowboy Dan and runs away to Italy. The show is about her fish-out-of-water experiences in a foreign land. Its got music, comedy, live cooking and condom shopping.

3.    What was the last Fringe or Festival you performed at and what was it like?

My most recent festival was Woodford Folk Festival. It was a fabulous experience being amongst so many incredible musicians, actors and circus performers from all over the country and the world. I felt very humbled and privileged to be part of such an incredible event.

4.    What are your funniest and worst experiences performing in front of an audience?

One time I was speaking fairly seriously and someone in the front row discretely pointed out to me that I was flashing my left breast. I was so horrified, I didn’t miss a beat in what I was saying and just hoicked my top up and continued. It was never acknowledged in front of the audience at all. If that happened now, I’m sure I’d use the comedy of it. Cabaret is about making the mistakes and milking them for their comic potential. Audiences love it!!!

5.    What’s the best and worst advice you have ever been given? And did you follow it?

The best advice came for my singing teacher about methods towards voice longevity. My voice is my…. Everything and preservation is something I’ve had to learn as my work-load increases and the tours grow in length.

The worst advice was to get a real job. I never did!

6.    What are you most proud of and what dreams or goals would you like to fulfill?

I’m most proud of the fact that I survive off being a full-time performer. It’s tough financially, but extremely rewarding and satisfying knowing that I’m being true to myself.

As far as what I’d still like to achieve, I’m really enjoying being Miss K so I’d like to see her become a national and international star and see myself strutting around the globe with my retro suit-cases and my gorgeous touring crew.

7.    Which three famous people would you invite to dinner and why? And what culinary dish would you prepare?

Elvis because I’d be fascinated to see what he was really like, Peter Sellers for his comedic contributions and Schapelle Corby to supply the personality enhancers in case conversation gets boring. I’d probably cook something like curry laksa because it’s messy and funny and I find it equalises a situation immediately when everyone realises they simply can’t avoid slopping it everywhere.

8.    What is the best book or books you have read and why?

My goodness, a hard one. The books that come to mind immediately are: The Wizard of Oz as it was my childhood favourite. I idolised Dorothy and it was always my dream to play her. (I think I’m a bit late now).

The Picture of Dorian Grey by Oscar Wilde because he’s a genius and I love his style and I love the line in it “never trust a woman with straw coloured hair.” I have straw coloured hair!!!

The Tale of Two Cities by Charles Dickens because it’s my favourite of his and he’s such a great read for all ages.

And finally: This Other Eden by Ben Elton because it’s scarily realistic about its predictions of the future but also fantastically written and the characters are intoxicating.

9.    Tell us 5 interesting and unknown facts about yourself?

I always wear odd socks (except when they’re knee length and a fashion feature).

My family had a Children’s book written about our chook shed called ‘The Hilton Hen House’.

I worked as a tour guide in Kakadu National Park for a year and have left a part of my soul there to collect sometime in the future.

I don’t like short-hand texting, I like full words in all their glory accompanied by some kind of attempt at correct grammar  ..and finally, I hate coriander.

10.    If you could change one thing about the world what would it be?

I’d like everyone to have a higher sense of humility and over-all caring for everything outside themselves. I think that would make us all easier to live with.

Tags: 2009 Adelaide Fringe, Klara McMurray, Woodford Folk Festival, Young Talent shows
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10 Questions: An Interview with Fugofugo Yumeji

Friday, March 6th, 2009

Today we’re interviewing none other than, Fugofugo Yumeji, the well known Underground Wrestler from Japan.  I could never have managed to interview Fugofugo on my own and am very grateful to the The Garage International Artistic Director who speaks fluent Japanese.   Fugofugo Yumeji’s show, Underground Wrestling & Karate takes place at the Garage International at NACC in North Adelaide.  So let’s put our 10 Questions to Fugofugo to find out more about his life and work…

1.      What inspired you to become an Underground Wrestler?  (Doushite wrestler ni narimashitaka?)

Only Instinct!

2.      What’s your show about and what should the public expect from your show at the 2009 Adelaide Fringe?  (Donna show desuka?  Kankyaku wa nani o kita e shitara iidesuka?)

The Japanese samurai spirit staying in the present age. Please expect it in the skill and fighting spirit of samurais.

3.      What was the last Fringe or Festival you performed at and what was it like?  Hajimete no Fringe desuka? (Hoka no festival ni sanka saremashitaka?)

I have performed in many martial art demonstrations and fights.

4.      What are your funniest and worst experiences performing in front of an audience?  (Imamade de ichiban okashii koto / ichiban saiyakuna koto wa?)

The funniest experience was in a jam-packed sumo arena and forgetting to be the “bad guy”.

5.      What’s your greatest achievements to-date?  And, what dreams or goals would you like to fulfill? (Imamade anata nitotte ichiban no manzoku dekita koto.  Imakara no yume wa?)

My greatest achievement is living my life to today.  And my goals are to keep living my life.

6.      What’s the best and worst advice you have ever been given? And did you follow it?  (Imamade uketa advice deichiban ii koto?  Warukatta koto?  Sono advice ni shitagaimashita ka?)

I was taught it by my father in childhood. My father told me when I was a child that
“A great person is different from a famous person”. A really strong person is tender.”

I am striving to follow his advice.

7.      Which three famous people would you invite to dinner and why? And what would you prepare for them to eat? (Yuumeijin de 3 nin shokuji ni maneku nara dare desuka? Nani o tabesase masuka?)

Leonardo, Raphael, Michelangelo, Donatello – (Oh no, that’s 4!).  I want to eat a pizza!

8.      What is the best book or books you have read and why?  (Ichiban suki na hon wa nandesuka?)

KARATE BAKA ICHIDAI.

9.      Tell us 5 interesting and unknown facts about yourself?  (Anata no koto de amari shirarete nakute omoshiroi koto  – 5  oshiete kudasai?)

1.  I have a tooth missing.

2. I have a tortoise and her name is Hana.

3. I am the top in the head-on battle in the world (wrestling term for head-on battle).

4. I didn’t even realize I had a broken jaw (and it recovered completely)!

5. I had a match the day after I was in a traffic accident.

10.     If you could change one thing about the world what would it be?
Moshi hitotsu dake kono yononaka de kaeru koto ga dekiru nara ? nani o kaemasuka?

I would get rid of all boundaries.

Tags: 2009 Adelaide Fringe, Doushite wrestler, Fugofugoyumeji, KARATE BAKA ICHIDAI, The Garage International, Underground Wrestling
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