Funny man Brett Blake – described in his bio as ‘the man, the mullet, the legend’ – has been in the upper echelon of Australia’s comedy scene for some years now.
With regular appearances on television and radio, sell-out seasons around the nation, multiple Melbourne International Comedy Festival Gala spots, ads with Shaquille O’Neal and now a podcast – Work Hate with fellow comedian Bron Lewis – Blake’s star has been on the rise for the best part of a decade.
But he recently experienced one of the greatest moments of his career at this year’s Melbourne Comedy Festival with his new show Little Turd.
The show was one of four nominated for the festival’s top award, Most Outstanding Show, a new high for Blake in terms of critical acclaim. But that wasn’t the best bit.
Blake’s biggest buzz came from performing the show with his parents in the audience.
“It was awesome, because I wrote this show for Mum and Dad; I wanted to champion them for all the stuff they did for me growing up,” Blake said.
“Then they happened to be in Melbourne for the opening weekend… and it was probably the most special gig, because at the end I thanked them, then I got to turn the house lights on and Mum and Dad were both there crying and I got to go give them a big hug.”
Now, Blake is taking his self-deprecating style of humour around the country with the Melbourne Comedy Festival Roadshow, a showcase of the best performers from this year’s festival.
“The Roadshow is absolutely awesome, they take you all across Australia, you get to go to remote communities, big towns, small towns, places that don’t normally have comedy,” Blake said.
“Regional gigs are the best gigs because audiences are just up for it. They’re excited you’re in town, and I’m pumped to be there.”
Blake will share the stage with host Fadzri Rashid, Meg Jäger, Matt Stewart and Rowan Thambar for a two hours of laughs when the Roadshow hits Geelong Arts Centre on Saturday, May 17. Visit comedyfestival.com.au/roadshow for tickets and more information.
