Multi award-winning Canadian/American comedian Deanne Smith makes her appearance for the Perth Comedy Festival at the State Theatre Centre this Friday, April 27. She arrives touring a brand new show Worth It, which was originally intended to be about money, but instead changed into a personal revelation on her challenges with anxiety and depression. Evidently Smith’s personality has the power to override the plans that others and even she, has for herself. When BRAYDEN EDWARDS calls her she’s following up a runs of shows at Melbourne Comedy Festival with a visit to Sydney for a special one off performance at the Sydney Opera House.
Performing at the Sydney Opera House definitely seems like a high point in a career no matter what kind of performer you are. You could probably justify retiring after that?
I know it really is exciting, but plenty of great shows still to come in Australia after that though.
So what can you tell us about the show you’ve brought to Australia this time round?
Well the show is called Worth It. It was originally meant to be a show about money. Well that’s what I was visualising anyway. But then over the past six months I really felt there were other things that I needed to talk about. It’s really become more about my own challenges with depression and anxiety. I guess that was just something I felt I needed to express and so it would have felt wrong for me not to be honest with what I really wanted to talk about.
You talk openly about a lot of things that a lot of people would feel uncomfortable discussing with each other. Is that because in some way you enjoy putting people out of their comfort zones?
That’s never been my intention. All I really want to do is say what’s on my mind and describe things honestly as I see them. I think if people feel uncomfortable with some of the things I talk about that’s more to do with them than me.
And how do you feel your style of comedy is taken by Australians?
Australians are actually some of the best comedy audiences in the world. They are very ‘comedy literate’ if that makes sense… Most Australians were raised with this unique blend of both British and American comedy. The British comedy really makes you accepting of satire and the unexpected in general, while American is more direct, with a build up and a punch line. There really isn’t anywhere in comedy that I feel I can’t go with Australian audiences because they have a broad understanding and appreciation for it.
And for people interested in coming down to see your show this weekend… whether they’ve seen you before or not, what can they look forward to?
Well I’ve been doing this show for a decent run at the Melbourne Comedy Festival now, so I’m definitely feeling confident about how I can deliver it. Especially if people have seen me before and liked it then they’re really going to enjoy themselves. It’s still me of course but in a way they haven’t seen before.
