You are currently performing at the Sydney Comedy Festival. Can you explain what the show is about?
It is a story about me – whether people want to hear about it or not. It is basically reminding people of who I am as I have been in the UK for eight years. It’s a story from childhood up to the present day and all the madness in between. I read some extracts from my book Don’t You Know Who I Used To Be? which helps to fill in the gaps.
So has someone actually said to you, ”I know who you used to be?”
Yes, on several occasions, which is not only a strange thing to say to someone, but it’s not grammatically correct either!
You reveal a lot about your life in the show. Isn’t it uncomfortable having strangers know so personal stuff?
Well people tend to forgot a lot of the things I say. I say a lot of things that people can relate to. For example I talk about how I love myself in the show and say things like, “how great am I?”. I don’t think people would laugh at that unless they knew where I was coming from.
Your husband Dan Thomas looks very lovely, how did you meet?
I met him in 2002 at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival. He’s a lovely Welsh man and I dragged him back to Australia with me.
What is the strangest present that you have ever bought him?
I once bought a phone outright and my husband said you know you can get those free on contract these days. I’d spent something like £400 on it. So now we either tell each other what we are getting, or write lists of presents to buy each other. If I buy something off the list then I have to tell him to prepare his face because he has this unfortunate habit of always looking disappointed.
Do you generally prefer British men to Aussies?
I think that Aussies were my first love and Brits are my second. I just happened to meet the right guy, who was Welsh. So I’ve sort of cheated on my first love… If I’d met the right Aussie then I’d be married to him.
Do you often face sexism from men because you’re a woman trying to be funny?
Not really. Or maybe I’m too stupid to notice when it is happening. I know that it does exist, but I’m a strong character and either haven’t been listening or don’t care. Quite a few men are quite scared of me. We have to keep them in their place, don’t we?
Who is your favourite comedian?
It changes but at the moment it’s Kathy Griffin. She’s so dry and fantastic. She’s from the States, does stand-up and writes and just launches at people. She’s hilarious.
What did you enjoy the most about living in London?
I loved the excitement of the stand-up industry. At home you do a gig and then go home or out. But in the UK it felt like an industry that you were a part of. Comedy is thriving and Britain has the best comedy in the world.
What brought you back to Australia after eight years in the UK?
Having kids. London is very exciting, it’s pumping and a place to party, but you can’t carry on doing that when you have kids.
What do you think are the main differences between British and Aussie sense of humour?
I think they have a similar sense of humour. But British comedians can use many different levels of history. As Australia is such a young nation we can’t really joke about a puffed-up Elizabethan collar, only the shirts that the convicts arrive in.
Where do you get your inspiration for your stand-up shows?
Everywhere, everyday, everything. Particularly from my children, who are going to love me when they got older!
Were your daughters Ruby and Sophie Rebecca born on the same day?
No actually they were born a week apart [damn you, Wikipedia!]. I think Dan and I get amorous around February and March… It’s not like it’s a one off thing or anything. We go for it all the time. I started having kids late because I found it hard to delete the party within. So I feel blessed that I now have two kids.
See Julia Morris perform at the Metro Theatre in Sydney on May 12 (info and tix at www.sydneycomedyfest.com.au) or buy her book Don’t You Know Who I Used To Be for a good giggle.
May 1st, 2009