IT'S been the busiest year of Dane Simpson's life by a significant margin.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Between a highly successful run at the Melbourne International Comedy Festival, appearances on the hit show Have You Been Paying Attention? and his first full-length solo show at the Sydney Fringe Festival, Simpson hasn't really had a chance to stop lately.
He isn't planning on stopping any time soon either – though he may want to.
For now, that means squeezing in a show at the HotHouse Theatre on Wednesday night with his good mate and namesake Dane Kennedy.
Encompassing a bit of everything, Simpson said the show was all about the simple things in life.
“We both came from communities where growing up, you'd spend time just spinning stories, being a bit silly, singing a few songs around the campfire,” he said.
“It's a real family sort of atmosphere, all about sharing and having fun.
“With Dane (Kennedy) being such a good musician, I thought it'd be cool to put together a variety show and give the audience a taste of how we both grew up.”
While Simpson has become one of comedy's rising stars in the last 12 months, Kennedy's own burgeoning career is not to be sneezed at.
Having spent several years touring the Riverina region, Kennedy has recently returned from Addis Ababa in Ethiopia, where he played at the Reggae in the Rift, a tribute concert held in celebration of Bob Marley's 73rd birthday.
Both Simpson and Kennedy boast Aboriginal heritage, and while the former said that part of them would feature in their act, what they truly wanted was for everyone to feel welcome.
“There are a lot of those themes in there because we are both Aboriginal, but no matter where you're from, what culture, we can all have a sing and a laugh, and bring a bit of joy into each other's lives,” he said.
“There's a simplicity to it – those themes are definitely there throughout, but it's mostly just about having a bit of a laugh.”
After tonight's show, Simpson will hit the Hume Highway southbound for Melbourne Fringe, where he will reprise his sold-out MICF show with Matt Ford.
“Realistically, I'm squeezing this show in,” Simpson laughed.
“I could give myself a break, but I found a day where I could fit the HotHouse show in and I really want to tour this one regionally.
“We also did it at the Wagga Comedy Festival.
“We really wanted to show off this particular show, I think people are going to respond really well.”
Tickets available from HotHouse Theatre for tonight’s show.
- Receive our daily newsletter straight to your inbox each morning from The Border Mail. Sign up here