DeAnne Smith - "About Freakin' Time" : Melbourne International Comedy Festival 2011

DeAnne Smith

By Lisa Dib

Canadian comic DeAnne Smith cares about issues : from giving props to librarian DJs, to startling parents with her babysitting techniques (both subjects you can find touched on in hilarity here), she allows the audience to feel safe in her offbeat, charming comedic hands… which is probably how she won Best Newcomer at the Time Out Sydney Comedy Awards and was invited to appear on Good News Week.

So, Canada's done, Australia’s done, where next to dominate? Maybe France… I hear it’s nice.

I posed a few friendly enquiries to DeAnne in the lead up to her fourth solo comedy show in this year’s Melbourne International Comedy Festival in the hopes of learning more about this bespectacled beguiler.

So, what is your new show about and how did it come about?

My new show is called "About Freakin' Time" and it revolves around the theme of time.  In it, I touch upon time travel, God, the concept of forever, vengeful dolphins and my creeping feeling of despair.

But in a fun way!

Plus there's ukulele. Sufficed it to say it's about time, and other stuff.  Intriguing!  

I don't remember how it came about.  I know I should have an anecdote for you or make something up about how strongly the concept spoke to me or how a glittery-feathered muse floated down from the night sky and whispered soft words of pure inspiration and beauty into my comedic soul. 

But it's completely possible I decided to do a show about time because I just like posing with clocks.  Maybe I did it for the cool poster image. 

Your comedy can be quite startling for the more prudish; do you ever worry about offending people?

I can safely say that I never worry about offending people.  Wait.  Actually, that's not true. 

I have banned my girlfriend's grandma from coming to any of my shows. I worry about offending her. She thinks I'm cute and sweet and I really don't want to disabuse her of those notions.  Plus, she gave me a tie tack for Christmas.  I can't put that kind of gift-giving in danger.
 
What is the comedic scene like in Canada, for those us not lucky enough to have been?

It's much more snow-covered.  There are more moose.  It tastes like maple syrup. 

You make fun of typically ‘female stereotype’ comedians; do you consider the gender differences when performing?

I don't think I understand this question.  But maybe that's because I'm just a dumb girl.

Any parting words for your fans, both adoring and potential?

I tend to end conversations with "smell you later."  I've done this for so long that I don't even remember if I'm being ironic or not. Also, please come to my show.  I promise to be hilarious. 

You might even get a present (really.) 

DeAnne Smith performs “About Freakin’ Time” from March 31 to April 24 : BUY TICKETS