MICF interview with Gamze Kirik

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Image courtesy of Gamze Kirik

The Australia Times (TAT): When did you first start doing stand-up?

Gamze Kirik (GK): About 3 years ago. I finished my post-grad in economics and hated it. Once I graduated I Googled “open mics Melbourne” messaged a few people and got a spot and haven’t stopped since

TAT: Where was it and how did it go?

GK: A small bar in Richmond. It was just before the Comedy Festival and the venue has a special “pre-comedy festival night” and was packed out. The advice I got from watching an interview with comedians was “your first time will go badly but it’s ok”, when I did my set, it went surprising very well.

TAT: Why do you like comedy?

GK: It’s a creative outlet. A lot of comedy is discovering who you are as a person and trying to express that humorously. I used to be very shy and don’t necessarily have a dominant personality, so it’s really nice to be able to get a platform to express myself as a person and an artist.

TAT: What’s an average day for you like, do you have a day job?

GK: I work from 9pm-5:30pm Monday to Friday and have another job on the weekends. I usually exercise at least twice a week, a lot of my days are work -exercise – get dressed in the toilets of the gym – eat in the car on the way to my gig – go home late. Or work go home very briefly and then go to a gig.

TAT: How do you come up with your material?

GK: It’s usually personal experiences, something I did or something my family did. But mostly I think ‘wouldn’t it be funny if…’ I like to think of myself on stage and how I will go about saying the jokes and what will I emphasise. The general nuances of telling a story.

TAT: Who are your favourite comedians?

GK: Celia Pacquola, Joise Long and Mike Birbiglia

TAT: How would you describe your style?

GK: I generally wouldn’t. But if I had to describe it I would say; sometimes dry, sometimes cheeky, but almost always happy and optimistic.

TAT: “Comedians are damaged people” Discuss

GK: Potentially. There is something weird about people trying to constantly get immediate validation from strangers. But also, aren’t we all a little damaged by our experiences? Comedians are the only ones exploiting their personal damages for laughs.

TAT: What’s been your favourite or most memorable moment on stage?

GK: This one night a very drunk man was being very obtuse. He kept interrupting and being rude. During my set, I turned out to be have surprisingly witty comebacks to hits unwarranted outbursts. Witty enough for him to eventually stop talking for the rest of the show.

TAT: Do you like audience interaction?

GK: Generally, I don’t do a lot of audience interaction. But if it’s going well it can be an informative and fun experience.

TAT: Do you feel like it’s you on stage or a character?

GK: I feel as though it is me. Like a part of me. Humans are very 3D with complexities and nuances. I think when I’m on stage you see a side of me but not the whole me.

TAT: Where do you perform normally?

GK: Most places in Melbourne and occasionally beyond. I have performed in Adelaide and the Gold Coast, as well as around Victoria including, but not limited to Mornington, Ballarat, Warrnambool and Geelong.

TAT: Okay, tell us about the show!

GK: I’m presenting a showcase of inter-state and international comedians!

TAT: Why should people come and see it?

GK: It will be a super diverse night with some of the best comedians

TAT: What’s your favourite object?

GK: I hate to be one of “those people” but love my smart phone. It’s got the internet, maps, social media and emails. It is so good to me I almost don’t need a computer.

 

You can see ‘Across Australia and MORE!’…

When: Thursday, Friday and Saturday at 10:30pm, from 6th – 22nd April

Where: Speakeasy HQ 522 Flinders Street, Melbourne

Tickets: $14.70

Information: Venue is wheelchair accessible

Links:

https://www.trybooking.com/events/landing?eid=250742&

https://www.instagram.com/gamze.kirik/

https://twitter.com/gamzedoesstuff