Sammy J (Samuel Jonathan McMillan) went to his friend’s 40th birthday in a kangaroo suit, only to realise it was not a dress-up party.
The Australian comedian, author, composer and broadcaster will explore the events that led to his most embarrassing memory in The Kangaroo Effect, coming to Geelong Arts Centre on Saturday, March 1.
“This show is a deep dive, sort of like the butterfly effect, as I’m trying to work out all the moments in my life that led to that moment of humiliation,” he said.
“There’s a part in the show where I’ve got the security camera footage from his house of me walking up the driveway in the outfit, so I sort pieced together a crime scene.
“I walked into the house, and I realised that everyone had dressed up nicely, but not in fancy dress, and I completely got it wrong, and it was the most humiliating moment of my life.
“It’s interesting as I have spent my whole life being an attention seeker and this was really the first time where I felt properly embarrassed, like I didn’t want anybody to look at me.”
Sammy J, who is now 41, said it was hard to talk about his life without including moments from his extensive career, with the show featuring a special appearance from purple puppet Randy.
“I’m going to be coming out swinging when I hit Geelong, and I won’t be taking any prisoners…, so I’m genuinely pumped to get back on stage,” he said.
“I talk in the show about being on tour 20 years ago as a new comedian and how many mistakes I would make, not just on stage, but while trying to impress other comedians on the road.
“I’m not answering to anyone except the crowd, and there’s a really liberating aspect to that… It’s me and a keyboard with a screen and the crowd. There’s something beautifully simple about that as well.”
Visit geelongartscentre.org.au for tickets to Sammy J’s The Kangaroo Effect in Geelong.
