By Luke Voogt
Chopper will be in Geelong to cement his rule over new superpower Anzakistan – New Zealand and Australia combined without the “s**t bits”.
“Chopper is just the bloke to run it,” said comedian Heath Franklin who has portrayed the underworld figure for a decade.
“He may not have any experience, but at least you know where he stands – right behind a moustache.”
With five prime ministers in the last five years it’s time for the notorious enforcer to step in, Franklin said.
“If everybody’s having a go at being Prime Minister why can’t Chopper?”
Since his debut on Network 10’s The Ronnie Johns Half Hour, Chopper has sold more than 450,000 tickets in Australia, New Zealand and the UK.
Franklin created Chopper after watching Eric Banner’s film portrayal in 2000. The contrast between Chopper’s “charming” and “murderous, hyper-violent” sides fascinated him.
“I have to admit I didn’t read too much of Chopper’s books,” he said.
“As Chopper himself said ‘don’t let the truth get in the way with a good yarn’.”
Soon Chopper had a regular segment on the Ronnie Johns show where he took aim at everything from political correctness and “metrosexuals” to “dog psychiatrists” and soy milk.
“One of the good things about Chopper is he’s a mouthpiece for my opinions,” Franklin said.
“Chopper’s black and white – he either loves things or he hates things.”
Franklin performed his first live show as the notorious criminal in 2007 with his latest tour, Chopper’s Republic of Anzakistan, featuring on Channel One.
“I was incredibly lucky I had this pre-existing audience,” he said.
“I’ve definitely become a better stand-up comedian since then.”
Franklin said he is “well overdue” to pay Geelong a visit, having performed there on two previous tours.
While the first audience was a drunken “nightmare”, the second was brilliant, he said.
“It just proves you can never stereotype an audience.”
Franklin performs at Geelong Performing Arts Centre on 16 October.
For more information visit www.laughingstock.com.au.
Bring an extra pair of pants – he’s that funny, say promoters.
