Your Sydney Comedy Festival show is called Reluctant Confidence Man. What’s behind that paradox of a name?
The title isn’t about a con man, unfortunately. The show is an hour of stories and jokes; I talk about my worldview and events in my life that have shaped me as a person. The idea of confidence and being yourself is one of many themes within the show, and being reluctant is about the hesitancy and insecurity underlying that idea. Paradox? Mayhaps. Also, it’s a fun and funny title.
You moved to Australia in 1991. What are your memories of your former home, Iran?
Tricycles, snow and religious iconography! I actually travel back there every few years. I speak the language (Persian AKA Farsi), know the history and have a bunch of family there so it’s always fascinating to go back and see how much it changes.
How much influence does your family have on your comedy?
Everyone in my family has a strong sense of humour and they were very tolerant of my weird antics while I was growing up – I would regularly create alternate egos of my mum, dad and sister, with a plethora of voices and backstories. I did have to get a commerce degree to appease my parents before taking comedy more seriously though. I talk about my family in my show, which is nice. Book now!
You’ve found success through both Raw Comedy and the ABC’s Fresh Blood initiative. How important are these various avenues for young comedians to develop in Australia?
Raw and Fresh Blood are really great for comedians to gain some recognition and get the chance to develop projects. They help give a sense of structure to a career that has many different paths and journeys. I don’t think they’re super important though – what’s important is getting up night after night, writing and making stuff, honing your craft and cultivating a strong purpose as an artist.
What’s your top tip for becoming a reluctant confidence man?
If you embrace the idea that hypocrisy is the truest freedom, the world can be many oysters!
Cyrus Bezyan’sReluctant Confidence Manis on at Enmore Theatre, as part of Sydney Comedy Festival 2015, Wednesday April 22 – Saturday April 25.
