Adelaide Comedy is seeking to rejuvenate the city’s comedy scene and highlight opportunities for emerging funny-men and women as it celebrates its 13th birthday this month.
Among the Adelaide talent joining popular comedian Greg Fleet at the birthday party at the Rhino Room tomorrow night is 19-year-old Demi Lardner, who started out in her stand-up career just a few years ago.
“I always wanted to do it. I talked to an Adelaide comedian after watching from the shadows for a while, and he met up with me a couple times before I went on stage so I didn’t embarrass myself.
“The Adelaide comedy scene is tremendous, for something that barely any of the public knows about.
“It’s a weird community where 17-year-olds can hang out with 40-year-olds and have a common interest.”
Lardner says there are many opportunities for young comedians who have the drive and ambition to match.
“There are a couple of gigs for open-micers, and new material nights for those who have the balls.
“Mostly these are at Rhino Room, but a few of the younger comics are branching out and starting their own rooms in the quest for stage-time, which is a cool way to provide more opportunities for yourself and other newbies.”
Among the initiatives launched this week are extra comedy nights around the city, including a regular open-mic stand-up night at the Rhino Room, plus a new website showcasing comedy gigs and news.
Adelaide Comedy promoter and producer Craig Egan became involved in the comedy scene in 1997. doing open-mic spots in Boltz Cafe and Comix Comedy Cellar.
“In that time I have seen some of Australia’s finest comedians find their feet on the Adelaide Comedy stages,” he says.
Now Egan hopes to give those same opportunities to up-and-coming South Australian comedians.
“That’s what we are all about at Adelaide Comedy … putting the next generation of SA funny people together with the greats so we can all learn from each other.”
Egan says there seems to be a perception in Adelaide that the laughs end when the Fringe does, despite there being acts throughout the year at a cheaper price.
“Unfortunately, we have given ourselves an unfounded reputation of ‘There is nothing to do in Adelaide’.
“There is plenty to do in this town – you just have to take a look beyond your own bedroom.”
Adelaide Comedy has one prerequisite for its comedians: that they make people laugh with original material.
There are shows at the Rhino Room and the Arkaba Hotel this weekend, featuring comedians including Greg Fleet, Amos Gill, Demi Lardner, Jason Pestell and Georgie Carroll. More info is available on the Adelaide Comedy website.
