The Special Comedy Comedy Special is hitting Her Majesty’s Theatre stage this Saturday night as part of the 2022 OzAsia Festival. For one night only, it is bringing together a line-up of eight of Australia’s finest and funniest comedians and performers, with live music by local street band Trio Sepia and hosted by the incomparable comedian and In Other Words curator Jennifer Wong.
One of the performers is Lizzy Hoo, who is many things – a comedian, presenter, writer, noodle enthusiast, designer, ideas lady, actor, rugby lover, and rescue greyhound owner.
I spent some time with Lizzy ahead of her OzAsia appearance, to talk about where she draws her inspiration from and what drew her to pursue a career in the world of standup comedy.
“I started comedy quite late for someone starting comedy; I was in my early thirties. I had just moved to Sydney at the time and I didn’t really have any friends or networks in Sydney. I started doing a lot of courses at the Sydney Community College, and I did courses in sewing, millinery and many other things. I got an email from their database titled ‘Try Standup Comedy’ and at the time I was working in marketing and having to do presentations and wasn’t feeling very confident in that, so I thought that standup might help me with that. I signed up for it and it was very low key – four Monday evenings. At the end of it, the instructor put on a ‘friends and family show’ which I did and absolutely loved it, so I kept going.”
Like a lot of comedians, Lizzy draws inspiration for her material from the world around her, and her own life.
“I base it on my life. I talk a lot about my family in my shows, especially this year. I usually feature a story about my Dad because he is so funny, and people who know my work are quite familiar with him. But I also draw on my mixed-race heritage, my work, my old work – just about anything that happens in my life may end up in my material.”
Lizzy will be joined by Jennifer Wong, Michael Hing, Suren Jayemanne, Suraj Kolarkar, Annie Louey, Patrick Golamco, Jason Chong, and The Coconuts (Shabana Azeez & Leela Varghese), and she is very excited to be hitting the stage at Her Majesty’s Theatre.
“I love shows like this. A few years ago I did a similar show for Jennifer Wong who is organising it. I sometimes get a bit scared doing all Asian nights because I start to question what people will think of me, or am I Asian enough. But I always walk off stage after doing events like this feeling very rewarded. They are the best gigs to do, and I’m performing with some sensational stand up comedians.”
Festivals like OzAsia, as well as events like The Special Comedy Comedy Special are really important events, as Lizzy explained to me.
“Events like this are important for connecting audiences to artists they can relate to, but also exposing artists to different audiences they may not always get to perform for. Having done Asian comedy nights in the past, people who come to my shows have first seen me at a night like The Special Comedy Comedy Special.”
The Special Comedy Comedy Special will be at Her Majesty’s Theatre this Saturday night, October 29 at 7.30pm, and it promises to be a night of laughter and fun.
“I’m currently writing my festival shows for next year, and I’m focusing on it being a happy, fun show. I think you can get bogged down sometimes in tough things, but people are craving light heartedness and escapism at the moment, so nights like The Special Comedy Comedy Special are exactly what people need right now.”
Further information and tickets at https://ozasia.adelaidefestivalcentre.com.au/whats-on/the-special-comedy-comedy-special .
Interviewed by: Ben Stefanoff
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