Criminology student Bryn Inglis will take on Geelong’s best young jokers when Raw Comedy comes to town next month.
The new Geelong local came second in Melbourne Comedy Festival’s Class Clowns competition, which he entered after prompting from schoolmates at his childhood home of Frankston.
“That was my first shot at stand-up. It was an amazing experience,” the 19-year-old said.
“I had no idea how that was going to go, but as soon as I got up on stage performing my set I really felt quite at home.”
Bryn went on to perform sketches at the festival, following mentoring from iconic comedians like Sammy J.
He also learnt to be “aware“ of what audience members could “contribute”, once using a drunken heckler’s quips against him during a pub gig.
His biggest source of material was his “eccentric“ and “emotional“ mum, who had no problem being the butt of his jokes, he said.
“She loves to hear her name on stage.”
Bryn’s two jobs, at a bakery and Adventure Park, and his friends’ drunken antics at university had also inspired his comedy.
“I’ve actually been writing a bit of material on some of the costumers,” he said.
“Some of the things you see at uni have definitely got some material for me.”
After spending part of his childhood in England and Germany, and later Frankston, Bryn loves his new home city.
“I think the sense of humour from most people here is really good,” he said.
Raw Comedy runs at Geelong Performing Arts Centre on 9 February.
