Tell us about your show. Why should we go and see it?
You know when you take on life’s biggest challenges and then you have a chance to sit back and reap the rewards, only to discover there are no rewards. That’s what my show is about, those ‘where the f*ck is my reward?’ moments.
You should come and see my show because you gotta laugh at this stuff, otherwise you’d be huddled in a corner, rocking back and forth and I don’t want that for anyone.
What are your hopes and dreams for the Fringe?
When I watch the Oscars and I hear an award winner say, ‘This just goes to show, dreams do come true!’ Well, I want to slap them. Just ‘Will Smith’ them across the chops because I know for every one person standing on that stage, there are thousands nursing their broken dreams on Hollywood Boulevard or taking your order at a nearby restaurant. My point is, dreams don’t always come true but that’s where the good stories, the great humour, the stuff we all relate to, lies. We often skip this detail and leap straight to, ‘I’m such a loser’ when in fact, these moments make us. They show us our mettle. Personally, I don’t relate to Kim Kardashian and her, ‘Like, if I can do it, anyone can,’ attitude. It’s privilege blindness. Most of us don’t have an hour long infomercial – oh, I’m sorry, ‘reality show’ – on a major streaming platform where we hock our wares. Our reality is, we’re not all going to make a billion dollars or be world famous. It’s astounding we continue to aspire to such hollow goals. But I digress… my hopes and dreams for the Fringe… I hope I improve as an artist. Not that I’m sh#t, I just want to be better. I dream of full houses and the power of ‘word-of-mouth’ because Lord knows, I cannot afford those big ads.
What makes you laugh?
People hurting themselves. When my son was a toddler, I realised this was a bad trait for a mother to possess.
What three words best describe your performance style – and why.
One reviewer described me as Australia’s own ‘Little Miss Firecracker’. I like that. I think that conjures my onstage persona and style quite well because I am kind of like a firecracker – explosive and hot.
How will your audience think/feel differently after an hour in your company?
They will feel like throwing money at me, like they’re a rapper in a strip joint.
What kind of shows – apart from your own – are you looking forward to seeing at the Edinburgh Fringe?
Ashley Barnhill. She looks interesting and I think we’re going to be new best friends. Madeleine Hamilton, her show sounds funny. The poster is also funny. The common theme here is women, I’m going to see a lot of women perform because I think women are doing the more interesting work right now.
The cost of living is a big issue this year – will it make this Fringe more challenging?
I think it will. Saving money by not spending on ‘non-essential’ items is generally how it goes. Then again, history has shown us in tough times the entertainment industry often thrives as people seek ways to alleviate their woes. Or, there’s heroin.
What do you predict will emerge as the big themes of this year.
The transgender theme seems to be doing well.
Who is your showbiz idol and why.
Lucille Ball. She was smart, funny and a fantastic business woman. Weird also that after Lucille, it took a good fifty years for Hollywood to allow funny women to hold positions of power and influence. It was as though they decided, ‘That was a close call. We can’t let that happen again.’
What is your idea of a perfect Fringe moment?
Can I keep you posted on that? I just don’t think I’ll know until it happens.
Tania Lacy: Everything’s Coming Up Roses
Just The Tonic @ The Caves – Just The Fancy Room
Until August 26
