Good friends and comedy stalwarts Frances McNair and Miriam Slater are Sweaty Pits and they are throwing a very special Pity Party for YOU the lovely Canberra general public this Wednesday 20 March. As a result, BMA caught up with the duo to find out exactly what is on the menu.
What got you into comedy?
We didn’t mean to. Sweaty Pits is what happens when you riff with your best friend of 10 years for too long and no one stops you from doing it on stage, and then two years later you’re holding an hour long show in your hot little hands.
How would you describe your style of comedy to the layman?
A chaotic comedy tornado of feminism, ’80s aerobics, sketch, lemons, and unnecessary Magic Mike strip routines.
How would you describe your style of comedy to a TV Exec looking to sign you to your own TV series?
You know that video where someone throws a slice of cheese at a baby? It’s that.
Who are some of your favourite comedians?
Aunty Donna, Demi Larder, Tom Walker, Garry Starr.
What’s one of the funniest/weirdest things that’s happened in your career?
We had a baby in our audience in Adelaide. We are very much an +18 show so this was a shock. But the baby kept laughing so we broke into laughter heaps. It actually ended up being a great show and that baby’s first Fringe Festival show ever! We hope it doesn’t become a memory for them but for us it is one of our favourites!
Comedians hate being asked “tell us a joke” when people find out they’re comedians. So… What’s one of your favourite jokes? (either of yours, or someone else)
Tom Walker’s impression of a French Bulldog. Please google it. My god.
What exactly is the meaning of life?
A tie between to find what makes you complete and excited to be alive, allowing that unique energy to flow over and make a positive impact on others and the world.
Or doggos.
Hecklers… A help or a hindrance? Do you have any particular favourite “come backs/put downs” for the lippy segment of the great unwashed?
Negative hecklers are the weird uncle at Christmas who, no matter who they have as their secret Santa, will gift them an old singlet and an antique coin.
We give everyone a chance but if they are being gross we just generally say, “Shhh… It’s not your time.”
The Danish word hygge encapsulates a general feeling of warmth, happiness and glow. What would create this sensation for you?
Having someone else to do our admin. The very thought brings tears to our four individual eyes.
What is your favourite a) film, b) book, c) TV show, d) stand up set?
Indiana Jones and The Holy Grail to answer all four please.
[The following question is lovingly borrowed from Richard Herring] If you had to be in the middle of a human centipede – if you had to – but you got to pick who would be in front and who would be behind, who would you pick for both?
That answer is for my therapist and for my therapist alone.
Anything else you’d like to add? (both in terms of upcoming shows, and anything in general)
We are super excited to bring Pity Party home to Canberra for one night only on Wednesday March 20 at 8:30pm at Courtyard Theatre as part of Canberra Comedy Festival! We’ve been on tour for a while now and we can’t wait to have our home audience (Canberra is amazing!)
Grab a ticket before we jet off to The Melbourne International Comedy Festival!
