Interview :: Dane Hiser of Laugh Your Tits Off

December 15th 2011

Ever found something so funny you laughed your tits right off? Like, completely off? Neither. I imagine it’d be quite painful though. Well, you’ll find out pretty soon because Laugh Your Tits Off comedy is returning to FBi Social – for an extra hilarious, extra painful Christmas special.

Ed Kirkwood caught up with one of the stars, Dane Hiser, to ask the big questions. And find out just how much it hurts when you laugh your tits off.

 

FBi: I was trying to think of an opening question, and the best I could come up with was “So, you think you’re pretty funny, don’t you?”

Dane: I’d like to think I’m pretty funny. If I’m not, I’m screwed as a comedian.

What made you want to launch this new comedy event?

Basically I saw a gap in the market. If you go to a comedy club at the moment, it’s in a dark and dingy area, you’re ushered into seats, the lights go down and the show starts. It’s not a particularly enjoyable atmosphere.

You’ve said this event brings a new, sexy and flirty twist on the traditional live comedy night. I assume you’re not just going to tell jokes nude are you?

No it definitely doesn’t mean I’ll get nude, but don’t hold me to that – cause that could happen at any given moment. The ‘sexy and flirty’ tag was meant to make it more accessible and to reflect the atmosphere. I want to make comedy more akin to going out to a nightclub: you go out, have a few drinks and watch some comedy, and then the night continues afterwards – it doesn’t just end after the show.

And you had FBi Social in mind for this event, didn’t you? What makes it the right venue?

I first visited FBi Social around April of this year when the Chasers hosted their Empty Vessel show. I immediately fell in love with the environment. It was warm and comfy, and thought that this would be a perfect space for ‘sexy and flirty’ comedy. After some enquiries, the response from FBi was encouraging. We ended up doing the first one a while back and it went off.

Tell me about the Sydney comedy scene at the moment, where’s it at and what defines it?

It’s quite inconsistent – and that’s no reflection on performers – it’s more about how rooms open and close very frequently. Mainly because Sydney is very fickle in what it likes and enjoys, and that makes it hard for comedy rooms to establish and to stay established. I don’t believe in setting up rooms, because comedy shouldn’t be about maintaining something every week or fortnight. I wanted to set up a series of events. Sydneysiders love an event – something that they can look forward to. That way, each show can be special in it’s own way.

Because you’re always looking at local up and coming acts, what’s your advice for young comedians wanting to get involved with stand up comedy?

Be persistent. Don’t let the bad ones get you down. If you have a bad gig, go and do another one. That’s always been my motivation: to be able to do a gig that was greater than the last one. It’s more about self – improvement than anything else.

In one sentence, what is Laugh Your Tits Off?

An elaborate ploy to meet woman and get stage time. 

 

What: Laugh Your Tits Off Xmas Special

Who: Dave Williams, Sam Bowring, Dave Smiedt, Ray Badran, Dane Hiser + more  

Where: FBi Social

When: Wednesday 21 December, 8pm 

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