Brett Blake isn’t too sure about the title of his Edinburgh show.
In Australia, where it was shortlisted for the Melbourne Comedy Prize, it was called Little Turd.
Here the show has been renamed Little Scallywag – which doesn’t quite have the same ring to it.
But in any case the most important person in the world has already seen it. “ I wrote this show for my mum.”
Blake, who is well known on the Australian comedy scene for his rip roaring hilarious tales of life on the wild side, decided it was time to tell the true story of how, as a young man, he got in serious trouble with the law – and how his mum saved him.
He dug back into the archives to find film of himself being bundled into a paddy wagon and rediscovered tv reports from 2002 describing how what began as a fight between rival groups in his working-class neighbourhood led to him being accused of assaulting a police officer.
“They were trying to send me to jail for ten years.
“It’s a story about second chances – and how people from the area I’m from often don’t get second chances.”
His Mum and Dad came to see the first night of the show in Melbourne.
“I think my Mum thought I was going to be mocking the situation – but I didn’t – I took it seriously. There’s a big reveal at the end of the show – I saw Mum and she was very emotional. It was also the first time I’ve ever seen my Dad cry.”
It took him a long time to figure out how tell the story on stage – but he’s glad he finally did it.
Blake is now a popular comic on the Australian circuit and a regular on the big tv comedy show Spicks and Specks. And he’s one of the comics on the upcoming series of Task Master. He also has a podcast – Work Hates, in which guests get to sound off about terrible jobs or dreadful gigs.
Brett, who wears his mullet with pride and still does the occasional shift as a fork lift driver, is also known in Australia as the Bogan Genius – a working class kid with ADHD and fairly severe dyslexia who accidentally discovered that he has a near genius IQ.
He’s only been to Edinburgh once before, when he played the Free Fringe, but knew that the story he has to tell in Scallywag is perfect for the Fringe.
“It’s a great story with an arc – and I know that in Edinburgh they love a story and they love an arc.”
Previous Comedy Award nominee Tom Ballard is his director. “You can see why he’s won so many awards. He didn’t change any jokes but he changed the structure. You have to structure a story like a film. He’s brilliant. I can’t imagine doing a show without him now.”
He’s looking forward to coming to the city and sharing the story that changed his life.
“I love Edinburgh. It’s one of the most beautiful cities I’ve ever been to. There are thousands of artists – all talking about different things. The first time I came there I felt like I was in Harry Potter.
“If someone gives you a flyer just go – you’re going to see something different – it could be the worst thing or it could be the best thing.”
He’s not worried about stars, awards or reviews – just hopes his audience will listen and enjoy the show. He’s also planning a quick trip down south to see his favourite Aunt Dora.
How would he describe himself? “A bit rough, but funny and with a good heart.”
That sounds about right.
