‘Laughter is the only way I get through the day sometimes’
Through crisis and hardship, local performer Marc Ryan has found that laughter truly is the best medicine – and he’ll be reflecting on his own life to bring light to others during a comedy night presented as part of Mental Health Month.
Marc Ryan performing at a previous 'Laughter is the Best of Meds' event. Photo: supplied
Marc Ryan – or as he’s better known, “The Beautiful Bogan” – has been performing his honest and impactful stand-up comedy around the country for the past 10 years.
As well as supporting the likes of Adam Hills and Wil Anderson, Ryan has become well known in his own right as a champion for mental health.
“From my point of view, because I live with mental illness, I live with PTSD and everything that comes along with that, laughter is literally the only way I get through the day sometimes,” he tells InReview.
“To me, what comedy is about is taking yourself out of your own life for a minute. If I’m self-deprecating and it makes other people feel better about their life, then that’s a win.”
Ryan will be performing with seven other comedians at the annual Laughter is the Best of Meds (LITBOM) show on October 19 at The Arkaba Hotel.
The evening, presented by the Mental Health Coalition of South Australia to coincide with Mental Health Month, showcases a diverse range of leading and emerging local comedians who aim to start conversations on mental wellbeing, while also getting the audience in stitches. This year’s line up includes local singer-songwriter and drag performer Wundes, Fringe and LITBOM regular Mickey D, musical comedian Leela Varghese, Aboriginal comedian Josh Warrior, and cabaret singing feminist Frankly (whose show Dig Up the Hatchet won the Frank Ford Award at this year’s CabFringe).
Marc Ryan, better known as ‘The Beautiful Bogan’. Photo: supplied
Ryan has delivered his message of hope in the face of hardship to countless regional communities, as well as bushfire-affected towns on Kangaroo Island, and says audiences at Laughter is the Best of Meds are especially receptive.
“It’s probably my favourite show of the year. Everybody understands or is empathetic towards mental health.
“Sometimes you go to other places and people aren’t so empathetic. Knowing that the [Mental Health] Coalition are putting it on is handy – it’s a beautiful atmosphere.”
Ryan tells InReview he recently experienced a marriage breakdown, so has been acutely aware of managing his own mental health.
“It’s not great, but it provides some humour – my kids are getting older and because my humour is all about my life, my comedy keeps progressing through the different stages of life, which is fun. It’s therapeutic.”
Ryan also works with Wellbeing SA’s suicide-prevention branch, which assisted in curating the Laughter is the Best of Meds line-up.
“The line-up is fantastic,” he says. “Josh Warrior is my brother and best mate, Mickey D’s an amazing act, [and] I saw Frankly this year during the Fringe and I wrote her name down to make sure we get Frankly on the line-up.”
Following this event, Ryan plans to continue working on his next Adelaide Fringe show, which is titled Not Here to F*** Spiders. With this, the larrikin will continue spreading laughs, as well as awareness about suicide prevention and the importance of checking in on friends and family.
Tea Tree Gully-based Ryan also aims to tour his Fringe show to the regions and outer suburbs.
“Researchers know the correlation between exercise and mental health is real, but I also think you can stretch it out to the arts, as it takes you away from the world for a little bit.”
Laughter is the Best of Meds will be presented at the Arkaba Hotel on October 19.
A directory of South Australian mental health services can be found here on the Mental Health Coalition of SA website. LifeLine (13 11 14), Beyond Blue and headspace are among national organisations that offer mental health support.
