FRINGE: Gordon Southern

Tue 2nd Mar, 2010 in Features

Gordon Southern is fast becoming one of Adelaide favourite comedy imports at the Adelaide Fringe Festival. Southern the seasoned campaigner talks about another stint at the Fringe.

Are you looking forward to the Festival Fringe? “Very much, it’s when Adelaide comes alive like Lake Eyre… Every kind of cultural animal descends and it’s a frenzy of feeding and fertilisation, in an arts way.”

Do you think comedy breaks down cultural barriers in reaching out to new audiences? “Absolutely: This year I will have toured France, India, South Africa, Cyprus, Dubai, Singapore, Indonesia, Malaysia, all over Great Britain and Australia since the last Adelaide Fringe…. only a very dodgy businessman or perhaps a rugby sevens team could claim to have experienced such a tour and at each turn I learn more about cultures and share what I’ve learned along the way.”

What is your show about? “Borders: From huge international ones, including some contested ones I’ve visited in real life (or on the internet!) right down to tiny barriers and boundaries inside people head, it’s also just an hour of jokes of course!”

Does a comedian plot or plan to pick on someone in the first or second row? “If you’ve seen my shows you’ll know I try and involve the people there, but never in a nasty way.”

How did you get in to comedy? “Started at University doing a radio show which we then performed on BBC radio for a few years, but all that time I was sneaking off at night to comedy clubs and working up my solo shows.”

Do you recall your first big break? BBC Radio Four giving us a series! And in Australia: the wonderful Mary Tobin taking me out in 2004 as part of the Best of The Edinburgh Fest show, which is still running this year and I can highly recommend.”

What has been the highlight of your career to date? “Last year I did a very fancy show on a boat for the European Football governing body UEFA, which was an absolute treat.”

Are there any particular comedians you look up to? “I have many heroes on the UK circuit I’m sure you’ll never have heard of: Mark Steel, Al Murray and Harry Hill were all very influential and helpful when I was starting out.”

What would you been doing if you didn’t get in to comedy? “Well, I like to write and to perform, so possibly in advertising copywriter in the day and doing Karaoke at night!”

What’s your best line for a heckler? “Made up on the spot. If you’re relying on “stock” heckle put downs, the funs over.”

Gordon Southern plays the Rhino Room (upstairs) from Tuesday 2 March through to Saturday 13 March. Tickets from www.adelaidefringe.com.au