Remember that time you told your mum you brushed your teeth, or to your teacher that you did your homework, you swear you did, but left it at home? Truth is we’ve all lied, and Lawrence Mooney tells a few more in his new show Stupid Liar.
Hi Lawrence, thanks for taking the time out to chat to Forte. How are you and what are you up to at the moment?
I’ve just returned from three weeks overseas and the knock on effect sees me incredibly relaxed and enjoying performing. It’s so good to get away from all of our habitual stuff. You have to break the circuit occassionally.
When was the moment that you first realised comedy was how you wanted to spend your time?
Cracking a class up at secondary school and feeling that wave of laughter. Then watching the teacher smile and ask me to leave.
Have you ever questioned the choice? What would you be doing if you weren’t a comedian?
I have questioned the choice many times, but to quote Richard Gere in An Officer and a Gentlemen, “I got nowhere else to go”. I have always fancied working on cars, maybe that’s where I’d be if it wasn’t on the stage.
I imagine people would expect you to be funny and maintain your quick wit all the time. Do you ever get to switch off and relax?
I do switch off and sometimes I’m serious or stressed, but I am someone that loves to make fun and laugh myself so it’s an extension of my personality.
It’s been said that you’re at the top of your game, what do you think of that? Does it make you question your future at all?
I feel like I’m better than I’ve ever been which is a fabulous thing to feel. The future in showbiz is always threatening though, you stand on the edge and stare into a yawning abyss, that’s what keeps you working hard.
Throughout your career you’ve done a bit of writing, hosting and voice acting, is there anything you still want to tick off the bucket list?
I would love to get some big juicy acting parts under my belt. Acting is a passion, I trained as an actor, I love it.
Your show touches on the topic of lying, which we all do, what’s been the worst lie that you’ve been caught out on?
I’m an intellectual snob and I’ve lied about reading books that I haven’t read and it is a sickening feeling when the other person starts an excited and animated conversation about the book. Oh God, that’s a horrible lie to tell.
Do you think it’s okay to tell little white lies?
It’s ok to lie. Constant, unrelenting honesty is the domain of the idiot. It takes sensitivity, creativity and humanity to lie for the right purpose and occassion.
A lot of your jokes are delivered by your “cheeky grin”, is this how you got away with a lot of stuff growing up?
My super powers are being exposed. Yes smiling is a force field. It’s hard to hurt a smiling person.
And you are known for your jokes which at times cross the line, have you thought up anything specific for us Geelong locals?
I’ve always thought of Geelong as a place with it’s own sense of wry self-deprecation since seeing a sign outside Ray’s Outdoor, “Now is the winter of our discount tent.”
That’s some clever stuff.
Thanks again for taking the time out to chat with us, is there anything you’d like to add before we finish up?
Look forward to seeing you all at GPAC. You rock Geelong.
When&Where: GPAC – November 1