THIS week we speak to Bendigo comedian Cath Styles, who\u2019s currently taking a break in the exotic location of Zanzibar!!!<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Well, to start with\u2026 what are you doing in Africa??<\/strong><\/p>\n I\u2019ve rented an apartment in Zanzibar for a few years, and I AirBnB it to help pay the rent.<\/p>\n I was managing it with my partner, and although we\u2019re not together anymore it\u2019s a nice lifestyle and I have so many friends here, I just keep coming back!<\/p>\n <\/p>\n What motivated you to get into comedy? <\/strong><\/p>\n The money. Such a lucrative profession!<\/p>\n Actually, doing comedy was on my to do list, so one year I signed up for Raw Comedy, and I didn\u2019t win my heat, but I did well and the judges asked me back for another heat.<\/p>\n There was really no comedy scene in Bendigo at that time, so it was my first ever spot. I just loved it so much, I was hooked straight away.<\/p>\n I put together my first show for the Melbourne Comedy Festival straight after that, and I just continued from there.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Can you describe your comedic style? <\/strong><\/p>\n Sometimes I\u2019d say my style is observational, because commonality is what connects us. I love straight stand-up, it\u2019s such an art.<\/p>\n But I also love storytelling. Once a reviewer described me as \u201cthe kind of person you want to invite to a barbecue and have a few laughs with over a beer\u201d.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Which comedians inspire you?<\/strong><\/p>\n I really could not name one comic who had inspired me – most of them inspire me!<\/p>\n I have so many friends who are amazing comics – Mandy Nolan, Bev Killick to name a couple. I love Kitty Flanagan, and I have a soft spot for Nath Valvo and Rhys Nicholson.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n What are some highlights from your career? <\/strong><\/p>\n I\u2019ve had quite a few sold out shows and some beautiful reviews. That\u2019s always great! Also I have written a couple of chapters for two books which were compilations of funny stories by Australian female comics.<\/p>\n But my best night ever was after a Girls Night<\/em> show at Melbourne Comedy Festival. It was a packed show, and I was super busy as the producer and MC.<\/p>\n As people were leaving, a couple came up to me and thanked me for the show. The guy was shaking my hand and trying to give me some money, which I assumed was a $10 note. I said thanks so much, but told them it was not necessary – I was just glad they enjoyed the show.<\/p>\n After a while, I just took the note. When I eventually looked at it, it was $100. ONE HUNDRED DOLLARS! I would have thrown in a lap dance for a tip like that!<\/p>\n <\/p>\n