Barker to bring the laughs to the Bellarine

AMERICAN comedian Arj Barker will bring his stand-up show The Classics to the Bellarine for a one-night performance on Thursday, January 15.

The 35-year comedy veteran’s show will take over the Barwon Heads Hotel.

Now more than three decades into his career, Barker has built an international reputation through extensive touring and regular appearances at major comedy festivals, including in Adelaide and Melbourne.

He won the Perrier Best Newcomer Award at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival early in his career and has appeared on late-night talk shows in the United States, including Letterman and Conan O’Brian, as well as his own half hour special on HBO produced by Comedy Central.

Audiences will also recognise him as recurring character Dave from HBO’s hit series Flight of the Conchords.

Speaking ahead of the Barwon Heads show, Barker said coastal gigs had a particular appeal.

“Those sorts of coastal gigs are super nice because everyone is in a great mood, off work and flocking to holiday destinations. The vibe is always very good,” he said.

He said The Classics allowed him to draw from a large back catalogue while still leaving room for newer material.

“The show will be an open book for me to cherry pick my favourite material. I might have nine or 10 hours of material to go back through, and I blend that with newer stuff I’m working on,” Barker said.

“The Classics doesn’t necessarily mean its old or ancient – it could be an instant classic that I wrote yesterday.”

Barker said he still found genuine enjoyment in performing.

“I truly just love it. It involves me usually going to some great places, like Barwon Heads,” he said.

“35 years feels like 10, really – it goes so quickly.

Soon I’ll have one foot in the grave, but I just love it.”

For tickets, head to Oztix.