Starting stand-up later in life, Canberra comedian Chris Ryan now brings her relatable home-grown humour to national audiences. Photo: Supplied.
Canberra’s population is ‘a little bit funny’ in more ways than one.
When you think of stand-up comedy hotspots, typically Melbourne or Sydney spring to mind.
But while major cities may have more venues, Canberra’s local comedy scene is quietly booming, boasting a unique demographic of comedians and unrivalled access to the mic.
Foundational organiser of the Canberra Comedy Festival and key member of ComedyACT, David Graham says Canberra’s comedy scene is always growing, despite challenges getting the word out.
“Every single gig someone says, ‘It’s great you started comedy here!’ and I have to say, ‘We have been here for years and years!’”
Starting with a once-monthly room at the Civic Pub over 20 years ago, ComedyACT is now a strong collective of local comedians who run and promote gigs across Canberra at popular open mic venues such as Fun Time Pony, Gang Gang Cafe and Smith’s Alternative.
David joined the scene in 2009, thinking, “Hey, I am funny at work, I can be a comedian!’”
Since then, he’s played an active role in growing the Canberra comedy scene – on and off stage.
“Ticketing, volunteers, front-of-house, website content, putting out signs. You name it, I probably do some of it.”
In 2013, he helped launch the Canberra Comedy Festival, starting with a lineup of 26 acts. This year, the festival is tipping 101 shows.
David says the Canberra comedy scene is fluid, as established comedians tend to seek new frontiers and fresh talent emerges in its place.
“The local scene goes in waves,” he said, “We have lots of great locals, and then a swath of them move to Melbourne or Sydney … And the scene just evolves to produce more talented performers.”
One such person is national comedy headliner – and proud Canberran – Chris Ryan.
She says the Canberra comedy scene is a hidden gem and a favourite for many comedians.
“Once you know, you’re in, and you can go to national standard comedy in Canberra any day of the week, just about.”
Hard-launching herself onto the comedy scene at age 38, Chris already had an established career and two young children when a friend suggested she enter a national open mic competition run by the Melbourne International Comedy Festival, Raw Comedy.
She won the Canberra heat with her first-ever stand-up set.
“Of course, it was an enormous high, and I thought I was a genius.”
“Glowing in my own f-ing ego, I said, ‘It’s just a shame the media are never here when you want them.’ So embarrassing.”
Chris went on to the semi-final in Sydney, where she “absolutely sucked”.
“I look back on that and think: You absolute tool,” she said.
“And the only reason I’m telling you is because it is good comedy.”
Climbing a steep learning curve, Chris has since performed at some of Australia’s biggest comedy galas, with TV appearances on The Project, Letters & Numbers and the ABC’s Austin.
A former journalist for Rural Press and AAP, Chris has worked in media in the Eurobodalla Shire, Nowra, Ulladulla and Jindabyne. She has also lived abroad in India.
She’s proof that lived experience makes for good comedy and says this is part of what sets Canberra’s demographic apart.
“There are a lot of people wanting to start comedy in Canberra who have day jobs and want to do something creative after hours. There are obviously students and young people, but there are also many more middle-aged people, parents, and people who work in the public sector.
“There’s a diversity of comedians in Canberra, which is good for an audience,” she said.
“They’re people with jobs and lives. It’s not all 20-year-old males talking about their dicks.”
Chris suspects the Canberra lifestyle also makes such pursuits more accessible.
“When you live in a bigger city, and you have to stay in the rat race, afford giant mortgages, and it takes an hour to commute to work, then maybe they don’t have time, particularly older people. I think Canberra definitely enables access for a more diverse range of comedians.”
And while the major cities may have more venues, they’re not always open to newcomers, whereas Canberra “room-runners” tend to share the spotlight generously.
“If you’re any good, you’ll probably get offered more gigs more quickly,” said Chris.
Though clearly a strong foundation for aspiring comics, the biggest challenge for comedy in Canberra is visibility.
Not a well-funded form of art or entertainment, stand-up comedy often lacks promotion and exists somewhat “underground”.
So, what would help it come into the light?
“I am thinking about a dedicated venue for Comedy, an actual comedy-only bar,” said David.
“So I guess a bunch of free money to set up our little comedy club? Can Region Media do that for us? Anyone?”
Region was not available for comment.
