By NOEL MURPHY
FELLOW comics adore Anne Edmonds, the no-holds-barred, banjo-wielding jokester headed Geelong’s way this weekend to host a Raw Comedy competition.
“You never know what’s going to come out of her mouth,” said Kate McLennan, Geelong’s half of hit online cooking comedy The Katering Show – fair praise coming from someone with the same entertaining affliction.
Edmonds said her approach was fairly simple, notwithstanding its surprise factor.
“I use a strategy I used growing up: telling stories I always listened to at home that made me laugh,” she told the Independent.
“It’s an extension of that in my stand-up. Stories I picked up and I’ve used making friends laugh for years – just roll it out.
“The job of comedy really is to look at the status quo and then question it. I look at things people are going along with and ask is this all it’s cracked up to be?
“It’s the same with anyone taking themselves too seriously. I don’t really touch politics, for some comics that’s their bread and butter, but I’ve always found more in everyday things, from mum to supermarket and lettuces.
“Self-deprecating comedy, that’s me with my classic Irish Catholic background – that’s a big part my comedy.
“I’m interested in showing audiences flaws that are very human and showing people we’ve all got problems.”
Edmonds burst on to the comedy scene in 2010 as a national finalist in Raw Comedy and went on to be nominated for Best Emerging Comedy. She’s since performed at the Edinburgh Fringe and Melbourne International Comedy festivals to sell-out audiences and critical acclaim.
Edmonds will oversee affairs as local comics strut their stuff in the Geelong qualifying heat tomorrow.
“It’s wonderful to see the unique talent that Australia embraces,” she said.
