It’s been a bleak past few months, but local comedy agency Whats the Joke is hoping to change that when it brings live stand-up comedy back to the region next month.
Whats the Joke has teamed up with Newtown Mexican restaurant Bobby Dre’s to host a stand-up comedy show headlined by well-known comedian Dave O’Neill.
Whats The Joke founder John Watts said it was great to be finally be able to host comedy shows again following the easing of restrictions.
“The last show we did locally was in Torquay in July, so it has been a while since we’ve been able to have a laugh,” he said.
“There’s been a hiatus of comedy, which is hard, because everyone needs a laugh, especially with the year we’ve had.
“We teamed up with Bobby Dre’s back for the first time back in February and it went really well, so we had every intention to do it again, but unfortunately restrictions have meant we couldn’t do it until now.”
Mr Watts said it was pleasing to have a comedian of Dave O’Neill’s calibre headlining the show.
“It’s a great get to have Dave O’Neill headlining the show,” he said.
“Dave is well-known around the Geelong area and is a comedy veteran – he’s had a lot of appearances on Spicks and Specks on the ABC and used to have his own radio show.
“He’s a recognised face in comedy and the perfect person to headline this show.”
Mr Watts said Dave O’Neill would be supported by Melbourne comediam Johnny Kats.
“Johnny Kats is another solid performer, who has performed worldwide for more than 20 years and also used to be on the radio, so we’re looking forward to having him,” he said.
The show will be rounded out by Annie Louey.
“Annie’s relatively new to stand-up comedy and I think this might be her first show in Geelong, but she’s a popular comic with a good following,” Mr Watts said.
“She’s a regular on ABC radio’s breakfast show and has a TV show called In China Tonight, so she’s doing good work.”
Mr Watts said he expected there would be strong support for the show.
“Every time we come to Geelong there’s always a lot of support for comedy,” he said.
“With restrictions lifting, there’s an appetite to get out and catch up with people and comedy is good for your mental health.
“For a lot of comics, they haven’t been able to perform properly for a while now, so they’re all busting to get back out there.”
Mr Watts added further shows in the region were in the works.
Tickets for the show, which runs at 2pm and 6pm on November 21, can be booked online at bobbydres.com.au.
