Interview with Matt Stewart

After touring around Australia, award-winning comedian Matt Stewart showcases his new act Bone Dry at this year’s Melbourne International Comedy Festival (MICF). Among the array of fantastic shows at this year’s MICF is funny guy Matt Stewart. Milk Bar caught up with the comedic genius on all things comedy, abstaining from liquor and identity changes.

Who inspires you in the comedy world, alive or dead? 

Tony Martin, Shaun Micallef, Anthony Morgan, Anne Edmonds, Rory Scovel, Ben Russell, James Acaster, Celia Pacquola, Geraldine Hickey, Tom Gleeson, Alasdair Tremblay-Birchall, Judith Lucy, Andy Matthews, Rhys Nicholson, Stewart Lee (this is probably too many … but that just shows how inspired I am. Also, they are all alive at time of writing).

What is your favourite place to hang out in Melbourne?

I’m a big fan of my bed, I hang out there most nights – outside of that, I’m a big fan of Melbourne’s bar scene. If you can mix comedy and quality beers, it’s a bonus – like Catfish in Fitzroy on Tuesdays or Howler on the first Wednesday of the month.

What is your favourite shower song?

I sing to myself way more than a guy with my voice should … it’d probably be something by TISM. Maybe ‘I Rooted A Girl Who Rooted A Guy Who Rooted A Girl Who Rooted A Guy Who Rooted A Girl Who Rooted Shane Crawford.’ Root is a great Aussie word, and I think TISM played a big role in championing it.

Name your greatest comedic experience?

I don’t know if this is my greatest comedic experience, but the hardest I’ve ever laughed is when a friend told me about the 1904 Olympic Marathon, and how one of the athletes was chased off course by a pack of wild dogs. He outran the dogs and returned back to the track to complete the race despite having run additional kms due to the detour. I can’t explain why this made me laugh so hard and for so long, but it was uncontrollable. I’m genuinely laughing now as I recount it. If that doesn’t count, I’d say travelling to the UK to perform a bunch of sold out shows last year.

Do you think people can learn to be funny or it is a natural gift?

I think it’s more natural to some [rather] than others, but I reckon it can be learnt – at least to some degree and mainly from getting up and doing it. It’s a whole heap of trial and error.

What happens if no one laughs at your act?

You finish your set, replace the mic in the mic stand, walk off stage, keep walking, leave the venue, keep walking, get in your car, hit the highway, drive interstate, change your name and start a new life.

Has this ever happened to you?

Yes, I’m onto my third identity.

Do you write your whole show before you perform or do you leave some as improv?

It’s pretty much all prepared –  though I try to leave some room to muck about if the mood strikes …

Were you funny as a child? Any funny stories?

The first thing that came to mind was changing the autocorrect on our family computer to change ‘Tom’ (my brother’s name) to ‘Little’… I think he handed in a couple of school assignments with his name as Little Stewart before he realised. Is that a funny story? I might be confusing “funny story” with “bullying story”.

Why did you stop drinking for a year? Was it purely for a comedy act?

The catalyst was a best mate was pregnant, so she wasn’t drinking for 9 months, so I did the same out of solidarity. It was a good challenge, and I think my body appreciated the break! Alcohol and comedy are intrinsically linked as most shows happen at licensed venues, so having some time off was hard but rewarding.

Have you ever been trained in comedy?

I have done a little bit of improv training … but most of the comedy lessons I’ve learnt have been from failing on stage or talking to comedy veterans and absorbing their wisdom.

What can audiences expect from your show?

They can expect to hear a bit about my time off the booze … they can also expect a nice comfortable chair in a dark room, but mainly a bloody good time in the home of comedy in Melbourne, the Chinese Museum.

Quick joke for us?

Like a street joke? My granddad once told me an old joke that goes something like: God said to Michael, “Come forth and you will receive eternal life.” But he came fifth, and won a toaster. 

Any tips for new comedians wanting to get started in stand-up?

Go see a bunch of live comedy. Write lots. But most importantly stop procrastinating and do it … when I was starting, a friend’s advice to me was “make peace with the fact that it’s hard and you’re going to suck for a while. You’ll only improve by working hard”. Brutal, but true.

Stewart is performing Bone Dry at the MICF until the Sunday, 21 April, and it will undeniably be a good night for all in attendance. Even if you’re not into comedy, Stewart’s beard is an impressive act on its own. Don’t miss Bone Dry!

Bone Dry
Till Sunday, 21 April 2019, 6pm or 7pm (depending on the day)
Chinese Museum, Laundry Room, 22 Cohen Place, Melbourne CBD
comedyfestival.com.au/2019/shows/bone-dry