Sharing stories from a successful stand-up career spanning fifteen years, Fiona O’Loughlin once again hits the boards at Gluttony with a show that promises to shock and delight Fringe audiences in March. O’Loughlin has long been a regular not only at comedy festivals but also on hit shows such as Good News Week, Spicks And Specks, The Circle, Talkin’ ‘Bout Your Generation and Celebrity Apprentice to name a few.
The Clothesline emailed O’Loughlin a few questions to find out more about this Aussie comedic favourite.
First comedy gig; when and where and how did it go?
“Star and Garter in South Melbourne. It went well enough to get me hooked for life.“
What drew you into performing comedy?
“It’s a career open to everybody. No auditions, no board of directors. Ultimately, your audience decides your success. I loved that about the industry and still do.”
Favourite comedian?
“Judith Lucy.”
Comedy duo or trio; who would be your partner/s in crime?
“I’m working on an album with Tripod right now.”
Favourite joke you knew as a kid?
“The wide mouthed frog.”
Favourite movie line?
“You is kind, you is smart, you is important.”
Best gig, worst gig and why?
“Every gig has it’s own worth. You’ve got to have the bad to appreciate the good and learn from and you’ve got to have the great gigs to remember why you came.”
Favourite imaginary friend as a kid?
“Can’t remember her name but she had black curly hair. Maybe it was Judith?”
Favourite childhood memory?
“Tucked up in bed next to my grandmother in the land of snug and happy.”
Celebrity meet that left you star-struck?
“Eddie Izzard.”
Pet hate?
“Rudeness.”
Secret crush?
“It’s not a secret, it’s McNulty. (The Wire).”
Time travel: where would you most love to go and why?
“I’d like to go a couple of hundred years into the future because I’m a nosey Parker. I’d want guaranteed safety and a return ticket as quickly as I needed it.”
How do you deal with annoying people who insist you tell them a joke once they discover you are a comedian?
“I’ve always had a simple answer; I don’t tell jokes, I tell stories.”
What’s something from your childhood that you still love and have today?
“A necklace from my Gammy that my daughter has now.”
Best or worst advice you were ever given?
“Best. My grandmother, ‘It’s a great life if you don’t weaken’…”
Best or worst advice you ever gave?
“I’ve always told my kids ‘Life is just a series of bad days and good days’….”
A missed opportunity that you would give anything to go back and try?
“Marc Marron’s Podcast live from Montreal.”
Which comedian would you 1. Snog? 2. Marry? 3.Avoid?
“Lawrence Mooney ticks every box.”
Favourite or worse heckle you’ve ever had?
“Stop it love. Go home”
If you were a flavour of ice cream, what would you be and why?
“Caramel. I like to give.”
Any famous last words?
“Come to my show 8pm, 10-15 March, The Peacock, Gluttony!”
Fiona O’Loughlin in… My Brilliant Career performs at Gluttony’ The Peacock from 8pm from Tue Mar 10 until Sun Mar 15.
Book at FringeTIX on 1300 621 255 or adelaidefringe.com.au/fringetix. Click here to purchase your tickets.
