Nath Valvo – Squirrel Comedy

Stephen K Amos Talk Show

By Ron Bingham

Every Friday, Saturday and Sunday afternoon of Fringe, Stephen K Amos hosts a talk show featuring a variety folk from the worlds of theatre, comedy and music. These shows will be available later as podcasts on audible, so we had the airconditioners turned off as they interfered with the recording.

Today’s first guest was Australian comedian Nath Valvo, and we had thirty minutes of chat about his career, some anecdotes about his first trip to the Edinburgh Festival and an explanation of the word Bogan, although I can’t remember why Stephen wanted to know this. Very friendly and engaging.

Next up was German New Yorker Lucie Pohl, who had a running joke with Stephen that she was going to have his baby, although it turned out she planned to raise him in an octopuses garden, with which he wasn’t best pleased. On paper this description makes very little sense but it did in the context of the interview.

Guest number three was Indian comic Vir Das, who talked about the disappointment of his parents at his choice of career despite his success, working in Bollywood, and the joys of Edinburgh.

The musical artist of the afternoon was comedian Katie Pritchard who sang a little tune about the Roman Empire.

Stephen was a relaxed and entertaining host, although he was upset at the audience when we failed to meet his expectations for the recording. He really wanted a boistrous crowd but we were a little too genteel this afternoon.

Each day features different guests which are announced on Stephen’s facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/stephenkamos/). It’s well worth popping in for a fun hour (and a bit) of chat.

Stephen K Amos Talk Show is on at Gilded Balloon Teviot until August 24
https://tickets.edfringe.com/whats-on/stephen-k-amos-talk-show

Australian Comedy at the 2019 Edinburgh Fringe

Scotland’s capital city is bursting at the seams with talented artists as the Edinburgh Festival Fringe begins this week. As is usual many Australian acts are heading up to “sunny” Edinburgh to show the world what they’ve got. If you’re in town, be sure to check out some of these fabulous funny folk listed below.

We’ve compiled a list of all the acts we could find, along with links to the reviews of those shows that our Squirrel writers have seen at previous festivals. As usual we give the disclaimer that Festival shows are ever evolving beasts so the show that we saw could be rather different to current iteration.

If we’ve missed anyone, feel free to drop us a line (or contact us on social media)…

3’s Comedy – Adam Knox, Luka Muller and Peter Jones
Laughing Horse @ City Café
https://tickets.edfringe.com/whats-on/3-s-comedy-adam-knox-luka-muller-and-peter-jones

Aaron Chen: Piss Off (Just Kidding)
Pleasance Courtyard
https://tickets.edfringe.com/whats-on/aaron-chen-piss-off-just-kidding
Here’s Colin’s review from MICF 2019: https://www.squirrelcomedy.com/?p=13744

Aboriginal Comedy Allstars : Kevin Kropinyeri, Andy Saunders and Steph Tisdell
Assembly George Square Studios
https://tickets.edfringe.com/whats-on/aboriginal-comedy-allstars

Absolute Zero: Jez Watts
Laughing Horse @ Cabaret Voltaire
https://tickets.edfringe.com/whats-on/absolute-zero-jez-watts-1

AC/DC: Australian Comedians / Dope Comedy
Laughing Horse @ The Counting House
https://tickets.edfringe.com/whats-on/ac-dc-australian-comedians-dope-comedy

Aidan ‘Taco’ Jones – 52 Days
Laughing Horse @ Cabaret Voltaire
https://tickets.edfringe.com/whats-on/aidan-taco-jones-52-days-1

Aidan ‘Taco’ Jones – Lightfoot James
Laughing Horse @ The Counting House
https://tickets.edfringe.com/whats-on/aidan-taco-jones-lightfoot-james

Alex Williamson: Sin on My Face
Just the Tonic at La Belle Angele
https://tickets.edfringe.com/whats-on/alex-williamson-sin-on-my-face

Alice Fraser: Mythos
Gilded Balloon Teviot
https://tickets.edfringe.com/whats-on/alice-fraser-mythos

Ali Kennedy Scott: Fourth Cousin, Once Removed… Forcibly
Laughing Horse @ The Golf Tavern
https://tickets.edfringe.com/whats-on/fourth-cousin-once-removed-forcibly

Andrew Roper: Break Point
Laughing Horse @ The Free Sisters
https://tickets.edfringe.com/whats-on/andrew-roper-break-point

Ange Lavoipierre: Final Form
Underbelly, George Square
https://tickets.edfringe.com/whats-on/ange-lavoipierre-final-form

Angus Brown: Everest
Imagination Workshop
https://tickets.edfringe.com/whats-on/angus-brown-everest

Apocalypse Comedy Club featuring Mick Neven
PBH’s Free Fringe @ Sneaky Pete’s
https://tickets.edfringe.com/whats-on/apocalypse-comedy-club-featuring-mick-neven

Ashes: A Comedy Showdown
PBH’s Free Fringe @ Liquid Room Annexe/Warehouse
https://tickets.edfringe.com/whats-on/ashes-a-comedy-showdown

Aussiental : Arnie Pie
Laughing Horse @ The Free Sisters
https://tickets.edfringe.com/whats-on/aussiental

Bart Freebairn: Maximum Delicious
Just the Tonic at The Caves
https://tickets.edfringe.com/whats-on/bart-freebairn-maximum-delicious

The Best Show We’ve Ever Done at the Edinburgh Fringe : The Fish Girls
PQA Venues @Riddle’s Court
https://tickets.edfringe.com/whats-on/best-show-we-ve-ever-done-at-the-edinburgh-fringe

Brown Panther – Ruven Govender
Laughing Horse @ The Counting House
https://tickets.edfringe.com/whats-on/brown-panther-ruven-govender

Celeste Barber: Challenge Accepted
Pleasance at EICC
https://tickets.edfringe.com/whats-on/celeste-barber-challenge-accepted

Comedy Boxing – Best of the Best (Kyle Legacy)
Laughing Horse @ Cabaret Voltaire
https://tickets.edfringe.com/whats-on/comedy-boxing-best-of-the-best-1

Comedy Striptease
Laughing Horse @ The Lock Up
https://tickets.edfringe.com/whats-on/comedy-striptease-1

Craig Fridey: The Darkness Distillery
Laughing Horse @ Sofi’s Southside
https://tickets.edfringe.com/whats-on/darkness-distillery

Daniel Connell: Piece of Piss
Underbelly, Bristo Square
https://tickets.edfringe.com/whats-on/daniel-connell-piece-of-piss

Daniel Muggleton: Pimpin’ Ain’t Easy (But I Reckon it’s Easier for Straight, White Men?)
Laughing Horse @ The Counting House
https://tickets.edfringe.com/whats-on/daniel-muggleton-pimpin-ain-t-easy-but-i-reckon-it-s-easier-for-straight-white-men

David Tieck: What Would Bill Murray Do?
Just the Tonic at The Grassmarket Centre
https://tickets.edfringe.com/whats-on/david-tieck-what-would-bill-murray-do

Demi Lardner and Tom Walker: We Musn’t
Monkey Barrel Comedy
https://tickets.edfringe.com/whats-on/demi-lardner-and-tom-walker-we-musn-t

Demi Lardner: Ditch Witch 800
Gilded Balloon Teviot
https://tickets.edfringe.com/whats-on/demi-lardner-ditch-witch-800

Dilruk Jayasinha: Cheat Day(s)
Gilded Balloon Teviot
https://tickets.edfringe.com/whats-on/dilruk-jayasinha-cheat-day-s
Here’s Lisa’s review from MICF 2019: https://www.squirrelcomedy.com/?p=13724

Dolly Di*mond’s Bl*nkety Bl*nks
Underbelly, Bristo Square
https://tickets.edfringe.com/whats-on/dolly-di-mond-s-bl-nkety-bl-nks

Double Denim: Adventure Show
Underbelly, Cowgate
https://tickets.edfringe.com/whats-on/double-denim-adventure-show

Garry Starr Conquers Troy
Underbelly, Cowgate
https://tickets.edfringe.com/whats-on/garry-starr-conquers-troy

Gavin Lind: Shattered
Sweet Grassmarket
https://tickets.edfringe.com/whats-on/shattered-1

George Dimarelos: Acting Natural
Laughing Horse @ The Free Sisters
https://tickets.edfringe.com/whats-on/acting-natural

George Dimarelos: A Booklover’s Comedy Show
Laughing Horse @ 32 Below
https://tickets.edfringe.com/whats-on/booklover-s-comedy-show

Glenn Grimwood: Unf*ckable
Laughing Horse @ The Free Sisters
https://tickets.edfringe.com/whats-on/glenn-grimwood-unf-ckable

Grant Busé: Touché Busé
Gilded Balloon Patter Hoose
https://tickets.edfringe.com/whats-on/grant-buse-touche-buse

The Human Show : Those Big Bois
Laughing Horse @ The Golf Tavern
https://tickets.edfringe.com/whats-on/human-show-free-fringe

Imaan Hadchiti: Being Frank
Heroes @ Bob’s BlundaBus
https://tickets.edfringe.com/whats-on/imaan-hadchiti-being-frank

Jocks, Geordies and Aussies
PBH’s Free Fringe @ Whistlebinkies
https://tickets.edfringe.com/whats-on/jocks-geordies-and-aussies

Josh Glanc: Glance You for Having Me
Monkey Barrel Comedy
https://tickets.edfringe.com/whats-on/josh-glanc-glance-you-for-having-me
Here’s Nick’s review from MICF 2019: https://www.squirrelcomedy.com/?p=13739

Julia Rorke
Underbelly, Cowgate
https://tickets.edfringe.com/whats-on/julia-rorke

Laura Davis: Better Dead Than a Coward
Heroes @ Bob’s BlundaBus
https://tickets.edfringe.com/whats-on/laura-davis-better-dead-than-a-coward

Louisa Fitzhardinge: Comma Sutra
Gilded Balloon Patter Hoose
https://tickets.edfringe.com/whats-on/louisa-fitzhardinge-comma-sutra

Love/Hate Actually (Act/React)
Imagination Workshop
https://tickets.edfringe.com/whats-on/love-hate-actually

Love is a Work in Progress with Tara Rankine
Just the Tonic at The Charteris Centre
https://tickets.edfringe.com/whats-on/love-is-a-work-in-progress-with-tara-rankine

Luka Muller’s Gong Show
Laughing Horse @ The Counting House
https://tickets.edfringe.com/whats-on/luka-muller-s-gong-show

Luka Muller: Haha Cool
Laughing Horse @ The Raging Bull
https://tickets.edfringe.com/whats-on/haha-cool

Motherhood: A Comedy: Tara Newton-Wordsworth
Just the Tonic at The Mash House
https://tickets.edfringe.com/whats-on/motherhood-a-comedy

The Nasty Show Australia
Laughing Horse @ The Free Sisters
https://tickets.edfringe.com/whats-on/nasty-show-australia

Nath Valvo: I’m Happy for You
Assembly George Square Studios
https://tickets.edfringe.com/whats-on/nath-valvo-i-m-happy-for-you

Neal Portenza is Joshua Ladgrove in Edinburgh’s Only Bilge Pump Sales Seminar
Heroes @ Boteco
https://tickets.edfringe.com/whats-on/neal-portenza-is-joshua-ladgrove-in-edinburgh-s-only-bilge-pump-sales-seminar

Nick Elleray: Big Nick Energy
Laughing Horse @ The Counting House
https://tickets.edfringe.com/whats-on/nick-elleray-big-nick-energy

Ray Badran: Everybody Loves Ray, Man
Pleasance Courtyard
https://tickets.edfringe.com/whats-on/ray-badran-everybody-loves-ray-man

Rhys Nicholson: Nice People Nice Things Nice Situations
Underbelly, Bristo Square
https://tickets.edfringe.com/whats-on/rhys-nicholson-nice-people-nice-things-nice-situations

Sam Kissajukian: Alcohol is Good for You
Laughing Horse @ The Lock Up
https://tickets.edfringe.com/whats-on/alcohol-is-good-for-you-sam-kissajukian-1

Sam Kissajukian: Good Evening Edinburgh
Laughing Horse @ The Free Sisters
https://tickets.edfringe.com/whats-on/good-evening-edinburgh

Sam Taunton: It’s Nice, It’s Modern
Assembly George Square Studios
https://tickets.edfringe.com/whats-on/sam-taunton-it-s-nice-it-s-modern

The Stevenson Experience: Takes One to Know One
Assembly George Square Studios
https://tickets.edfringe.com/whats-on/stevenson-experience-takes-one-to-know-one

Suren Jayemanne: I’m Here, All Weak
Laughing Horse @ Bar 50
https://tickets.edfringe.com/whats-on/i-m-here-all-weak

Thomas Green: Tweak
Laughing Horse @ The Free Sisters
https://tickets.edfringe.com/whats-on/thomas-green-tweak

The Three Deaths of Ebony Black (Amberly Cull)
Underbelly, Bristo Square
https://tickets.edfringe.com/whats-on/three-deaths-of-ebony-black

Tom Ballard: Enough
Monkey Barrel Comedy
https://tickets.edfringe.com/whats-on/tom-ballard-enough

Tom Cashman: XYZ
Underbelly, Bristo Square
https://tickets.edfringe.com/whats-on/tom-cashman-xyz

Tom Walker: Very Very
Assembly Roxy
https://tickets.edfringe.com/whats-on/tom-walker-very-very
Here’s Will’s review from MICF 2019: https://www.squirrelcomedy.com/?p=13707

Totally Plucked: Grandma Josephine
Underbelly, Cowgate
https://tickets.edfringe.com/whats-on/totally-plucked

Two Little Dickheads: Kapow!
Just the Tonic at The Charteris Centre
https://tickets.edfringe.com/whats-on/two-little-dickheads-kapow

Wil Greenway: The Ocean After All
Underbelly, Bristo Square
https://tickets.edfringe.com/whats-on/wil-greenway-the-ocean-after-all

Zoë Coombs Marr: Bossy Bottom
Monkey Barrel Comedy
https://tickets.edfringe.com/whats-on/zoe-coombs-marr-bossy-bottom
Here’s Lisa’s review from MICF 2019: https://www.squirrelcomedy.com/?p=1265

2019 Melbourne International Comedy Award Winners

2019 AWARD WINNERS

The Melbourne International Comedy Festival Award for the best show: James Acaster (UK) – Cold Lasagne Hate Myself 1999

Nominees:
Anne Edmonds- What’s Wrong With You?
Cassie Workman – Giantess
Geraldine Hickey – Things Are Going Well
Nath Valvo – I’m Happy For You
Tom Allen (UK) – Absolutely

The Best Newcomer: Blake Freeman – There’s Something There

Nominees:
Dan Rath – Bubble Bath
Nina Oyama – Needs a Lift
Oliver Coleman – Poolside

The Golden Gibbo Award (for an artistic independent production): Neal Portenza & Joshua Ladgrove –Neal Portenza is Joshua Ladgrove

Nominees for The Golden Gibbo Award:
Game Boys – Game Boys Cinematic Universe
Lauren Bok – Rock Out With Your Bok Out
Margot Tanjutco – Vanity Fair Enough

Oliver Coleman – Poolside
Patrick Collins – Mime Consultant / Patrick Collins And the Magic Shoe

People’s Choice Award: Urzila Carlson Loser

This award signifies that Urzila Carlson sold the most tickets at this year’s Festival.

The Directors’ Choice Award: Aaron Chen – Piss Off (Just Kidding)

Presented by Melbourne International Comedy Festival Director Susan Provan

The Pinder Prize: Sam Taunton – Straight From The Shoulder & Steph Tisdell – The Pyramid

This Award funds their trips to the Edinburgh Fringe
to perform at Assembly Festival. It was presented by Demi Lardner

Piece of Wood Award (Peer Award from other comedians): Geraldine Hickey – Things Are Going Well

Presented by Greg Fleet who created the Award and Heath Franklin last year’s winner.

Funny Tonne Winner: John Souness

Deadly Funny National Grand Final winner: Fabian Woods

RAW Comedy Grand Final Winner: Fady Kassab (NSW)
Fady has won a trip to The Edinburgh Fringe Festival to compete in So You Think You’re Funny?.
RAW Runners-Up: Suraj Kolarkar (QLD) and Laura Hutchinson (WA)

Class Clowns National Grand Final Winners Patti Fawcett (Bendigo South East College, VIC)
Class Clowns Runners-Up:
Whose My Parents? (Ben Depoma, Cyrus James-Hankin, Soren Pryor) from St Theresa’s Catholic College Abergowrie, QLD, and Nic Doring (Alexandria Park Community High School NSW)

Nath Valvo : Boy Next Door

By Ellyse O’Halloran

In this witty hour of entertainment, Nath Valvo chronicles stories of growing up and his journey to find a date to his brothers wedding so as to avoid the dreaded singles table. Valvo begins the show by engaging in some small talk with the audience. He is a joy to watch and has a charming cockiness about him that adds to his appeal.

The stage is adorned with three bright red mailboxes. As he tells anecdotes from different stages of his life, starting with his childhood in Greensborough, he moves along the mailboxes. He recites various things like love-letters he wrote as a child and responses he received to his ad on flat mate finder. He builds a good rapport with the audience through interaction and at various points in the show, invites certain audience members up on stage.

Valvo is confident in his physicality and its nice to see a stand-up not just playing their self but also making bold choices with delivery for example when he’s talking about other people, he embodies their demeanor which embellishes the story and adds comedic value.

The show is about being a kid in the nineties and being single at thirty, with insights into the gay dating scene. He tells one particular hilarious story about a first date with a man he nicknamed McDreamy that took a turn for the horrible. Valvo’s comedy is honest, brazen and full of energy.

Boy Next Door is on at the Melb Town Hall – Backstage Room until April 20
http://www.comedyfestival.com.au/2014/season/shows/boy-next-door-nath-valvo

Boy Next Door is on at Melb Town Hall – Backstage Room until April 20
http://www.comedyfestival.com.au/2014/season/shows/boy-next-door-nath-valvo

5 Good Reasons to see Nath Valvo – Boy Next Door

1. Making this list reminds me of the song “20 good reasons” by Thirsty Merc (who ironically all now work at a Juice Bar called Thirsty Merc) so maybe the first reason to see my show is that you won’t hear the song “20 good reasons” by Thirsty Merc.

2. I have done my research (throughly) and will present my ultimate Grindr Vs Tinder research results. They are truly whore’ish and awesome.

3. I will share the single most humiliating thing that has ever happened to me in my life. It went down on a first date. It was truly awful for me … will be greatly entertaining for you.

4. My show is on at 9.30 … I have just looked up what is on the TV at that time! Pretty shit options!
Law and Order SVU, American Restoration, Dateline, 2 Broke Girls … and Station Close (ABC 3) that means the station is literally closed … surely my show will be better than that (maybe).

5. You’ll probably pick up at my show.*

*I have no evidence or knowledge of that ever happening however WHY NOT?! Get your best suit on, smack on some nice smelly stuff and you never know what could happen at my show!**

**You probably won’t pick up at my show.

Nath Valvo – Boy Next Door is on at Melb Town Hall – Backstage Room
http://www.comedyfestival.com.au/2014/season/shows/boy-next-door-nath-valvo

5 Good Reasons to see Luke McGregor, URZILA CARLSON and Nath Valvo

5 Good Reasons to see Luke McGregor – My Soulmate Is Out Of My League

1. It’s my first solo show, so I’ll be a nervous wreck, which should be good to watch.

2. I know I said I’ll be a nervous wreck above but I don’t want you to think I won’t remember the jokes or anything.

3. Maybe I won’t be nervous? Maybe on the night I’ll be super confident (no chance).

4. Maybe if I wear sunglasses the whole time I’ll be less nervous…

5. Please come.

Luke McGregor will be performing at the Portland Hotel in the Locker Room

http://www.comedyfestival.com.au/2013/season/shows/my-soulmate-is-out-of-my-league-luke-mcgregor

5 GOOD REASONS TO SEE URZILA CARLSON: I’M GOING TO NEED A SECOND OPINION

1. You get to listen to my dulcet tones for an hour.

2. You get to look at some eye candy for an hour.

3. You learn valuable life lessons that could save your life.

4. My show is the tri nations of comedy, a South African Kiwi in Australia.

5. It’s funny

Urzila will be performing at The Melb Town Hall in the Portico Room
http://www.comedyfestival.com.au/2013/season/shows/i-m-going-to-need-a-second-opinion-urzila-carlson-in

Nath Valvo Almost 30

1. I guarantee you will leave my show feeling better about your own life. I am 29 years old and had to move back in with my parents last year. Do you know how it feels to cock block your own Dad?!

2. THERE WILL BE CAKE AT MY SHOW (Seriously!)

3. If you have ever worn a hyper colour T shirt, owned a Hit Machine CD, watched Agro’s Cartoon Connection, drank Dr Pepper … DID I MENTION THERE IS CAKE??

4. I recently purchased a pirated DVD copy of what was meant to be ‘Harry Potter and The Deathly Hallows Part 2’ …. it turned out to be illegal amateur footage of the most disturbing slash hilarious thing I have ever seen. I reveal what I saw in my show. It will blow your mind and stay with with you for weeks.

5. I will murder a puppy for every ticket not sold at my show.

Nath will be performing at Trades Hall in The Annex
http://www.comedyfestival.com.au/2013/season/shows/almost-30-nath-valvo