Tall, trans, terrific: Courtney Maldo brings a tale of transition to Perth Comedy Festival

Bringing stories of a transient life from one side of the world to the other and what’s transpired in between, Courtney Maldo hits The Rechabite this Sunday, May 5, with tickets on sale now. Bringing a tale of transition and turmoil, trials and tribulations to Perth Comedy Festival 2024, she’s tall, trans, terrific and other words that begin with T. BRAYDEN EDWARDS caught up with Courtney Maldo to find out more.

Your show Transcontinental tells the stories of ‘a transient life from one side of the world to the other’. Did you, like a lot of us, try to do a bit of re-brand when you moved overseas?

I moved to Australia when I was 10, so my avenues for rebranding were limited. I do remember asking my mum when we moved to Australia if I was allowed to swear, so even then I knew Straya would change me.

Having moved to Australia from the farming county of Sommerset in the UK, what British traits do you feel you may never escape? 

I’m very proficient at queueing and get annoyed when others aren’t. Also, they’ll always be crisps to me—none of this hot chip/cold chip nonsense.

And having more recently toured and performed back in the UK, what’s one way you noticed living in Australia has changed you? 

I’m a lot more cavalier with my dropping of the C bomb. I’m more able to see through two facedness, the UK is so small you have to keep a part of yourself hidden away, whereas Australia is so big everyone just wears themselves on their sleeves.

Transitioning from one hemisphere to another is one thing, but going from identifying as Cis to Trans is a different kind of journey altogether. What essential items do you need to pack for a journey like that?

Bring a thick skin. If you want to survive, let alone thrive, in this world, then you’re going to run into ignorant people. Most people want to do the right thing; just give them a chance.

And what do you think are the most amusing misconceptions about trans people?

The whole sports debate I find hilarious. I know so few trans people who actually want to be involved in a sport; even those who do are treated as some sort of elite super soldier who is there to defile the sanctity of the game when really we just want what everyone else wants from sport: community, activity, bonding, and a sense of belonging.

There are comedians from right across the world coming to town for Perth Comedy Festival. What advice would you give to them on their first visit to Perth?

We’re the most isolated capital city in the world, and we’re the longest city in the world (over 130 km north to south). Pace yourself, and remember, here ice is meth, so when someone asks if you want ice in your drink, just check what they mean.

And what are you looking forward to at Perth Comedy Festival this year?

Well, I’m obviously looking forward to my own show. I’m in The Goodwill Club at The Rechabite, and it’s the biggest room I’ve done the show in, and I’m looking forward to rocking it.

Normally I’d recommend some local queer talent here, but I’m the only one in the fest, so I’ll plug some interstate gays instead. I saw Tom Ballard’s new show Good Point Well Made in Melbourne, and he continues to hit his regular high bar. Rhys Nicholson is always a good time. Some locals I will plug are Bad Mums—even though they don’t need my help as they’re killing it across the country—and Colin Ebsworth’s Maybe He’s Born with It, Maybe It’s A.D.H.D.