Aboriginal Comedy Allstars Show

Discovering something before it gets big is one of the most rewarding things in life and is often hard to truly come by. The Aboriginal Comedy Allstars Show is one of these things and we’ve been lucky enough to share it with you. It all started as a few shows between comedians and friends, Kevin Kropinyeri, Shiralee Hood, Matt Ford, Derek Nannup, Mia Stanford and Andrew Saunders, but soon the idea developed into a first for Australia.
“We did a couple of gigs together and we talked about it and they said, ‘Let’s do it Kev, let’s take Aboriginal comedy and raise the profile of it’. It’s never been done before, it’s fresh, it’s new and we’re all just really excited to be a part of it,” Kevin says.
Many of the comedians are on the cusp of becoming a household name, and this show could be just the thing to do it for them. Andrew Saunders has been likened to the Australian Chris Rock and has even shared the stage with Wil Anderson. After doing numerous shows as part of the Melbourne International Comedy Festival, Mia Stanford is onto a good thing. Though for Kevin, his career in the industry first started six years ago when he won the Deadly Funny competition at the Melbourne International Comedy Festival.
“I’ve always been a funny fella, even in times of my hardship, and I’ve always been the life of the party and making people laugh,” Kevin says.
“So when the opportunity of Deadly Funny came about, all my family and friends pretty much pushed me into the competition. I originally did it as a bit of a bucket list, to tick the box.”
“I didn’t expect to make a living off it or move into a career so that was just a bit of a thing that evolved. I now make a pretty good living out of it actually,” he says.
Kevin has since gone on to perform at the Sydney Opera House on the big stage, the opening night at the Melbourne Comedy Festival Gala and the Enmore Theatre in Sydney.
“I’ve done some amazing gigs that I’d just never thought I’d be a part of. Some of the stuff, I often pinch myself,” Kevin says.
“The most surreal thing I guess was when I got to perform at Christine Anu’s wedding a couple of years ago. It’s been an amazing ride. I still think the best of it is ahead of me.” And with the first allstars show set for Geelong in a weeks time, Kevin couldn’t be more right.
“We’re here to pull back the curtain and say, ‘Take a look at out take of living in Australia’. And Aboriginal comedy has been around for a lot of years. And this is all about showcasing the best black Aboriginal talent in this country,” Kevin says.
To book tickets call Jody on 5241 5700.
When&Where: Narana Aboriginal Cultural Centre, Grovedale – October 24
By Amanda Sherring