Welcome to my show! I’m thrilled at the positive response. It’s great to be performing again.
Ever since I upstaged Snow White as a nine-year-old, I’ve shamelessly sought attention. Please sit back and discover the background to my appearances on two national reality TV shows! Watch my Big Brother audition tape! Find out how I averted the most embarrassing publishing scandal since 1631 – or not! Witness my encounters with the waters of Antarctica and Sylvania Waters! You’ll be shocked! You’ll be stunned! You may even be moved. I hope so.
Find out about my next show and other creative endeavours!
About me
I was a lawyer for thirty years. In my early days, I prosecuted people who smuggled drugs or wildlife into Australia or were rude to flight attendants. Later, I was one of the creators of a computer system that has made thousands of wills for Western Australians. I wrote an online publication about what happens when people have problems making their own financial and lifestyle decisions, and attempted to recover money for some of them.
I’m also a creative writer, performer and board game inventor. I wrote The Naughty Play, which played to packed audiences in the Blue Room Theatre. I devised and performed Henry VIII & Other Gossip, and penned articles for a national gay magazine.
In 2003, I went to Argentina for a wedding. The visit sparked what Professor Richard Bosworth described in The New Critic as a ‘major social and intellectual interest’ in that country, though some of my pursuits there have been decidedly more social than intellectual. I recounted some of my experiences in My Argentina, which sold out its run at Fringe World 2016. I sang about the country in How to Write a Tasteful Novel.
I’ve combined my worldly adventures with an appreciation of cinema, to unlock the secrets of The Sound of Music. I understand the tactics used by Maria to steal the Captain from the rich, sexier Baroness, and know which family member would have been eaten at the end, when they were stuck up a mountain without food or water. I shared these and many other important theories and encounters – including the 45 seconds that I actually spent with the real Julie Andrews – for which I paid $500 (and then some). The Sound of a Social Climbing Nun was a smash at Fringe World 2017.
My interests in disability law and Argentina came together at a congress in 2024. My Spanish had been good enough to gossip or argue, but that year in Buenos Aires, I spoke in Spanish for eighteen minutes about the rights of people with disabilities to make their own decisions. (If you watch the video, I start talking at 6:38. You can put on subtitles if you want.)
When I’m not shamelessly seeking attention, I’m writing a novel that genuinely is tasteful (or not), finishing a book about my experiences in Argentina, and trying to redress the balance between days spent in the office and days spent at the beach.
I can explain the result of every UK general election of the twentieth century and list Chris Evert’s grand slam triumphs in order (plus those she might have won had she competed), but also have 52,000 Ansett frequent flyer points and reminders of the three-year fixed interest home loan I took out just before the GFC sent rates (and egos) tumbling.
Preparing for Shamelessly Seeking Attention
Please check out the interview with myself. I talk about how my background in performing in pubs has helped me now, why there won’t be any swearing and how much I need to stick to the script. I discuss the unusual way I’ve promoted it. Is it better to do eighteen performances over two-and-a-half months, rather than a few weeks? Do I get nervous before I go on stage? Do I know in advance when the audience will laugh? All this and more.
Thank you …
To everyone who watched me rehearse the show and offer feedback. In particular, Felicity made me focus on what it was really about; Miguel gave me a clear set of sensible tips; ‘Miss Lena Ballentine’ taught me the term ‘villain edit’ and suggested I include some music; Katherine Margaret gave me some tips on the slides; Rory checked out The Backlot Perth with me; Nuccia and Cousin Jo did the same at the Geographe Room. Cousin Jo quite literally ensured that I had a platform, which you can see if you go to The Backlot Perth.
To my friend ‘Aura’, who organised two big groups of people to come, and helped get sales off to a great start. The theory is that Perth people only book things at the last minute. She and so many more of you showed that early sales can be a thing. They gave me the confidence to put on extra sessions and the chance for more people to see the show.
To Craig and Matt at C4 Digital Agency for their graphic design and work on things technical.
To Ian Hale and his team at The Backlot Perth and to Zofia and the rest of the staff at the State Library of WA. The Backlot Perth can host private film screenings, seminars or your own comedy show. The State Library of WA has different rooms for meetings, seminars, lectures and more.
To photographer and filmaker Lula Armenti for videoing two performances.
To those providing food. I thought it’d be a nice surprise at some of the sessions.
To Broadway Pizza for their premium and classic pizzas.
To She’s In Parties for her gourmet platters. Platters like these:
If you enjoy the show …
Please tell your friends! Tell your family! Come see it again! You can get a discount on General Admission tickets by typing in the promotional code return.
BOOKINGS & INFO
Wonderful! I did not want my view to be biased by seeing the show first
I’m so glad you liked it!