You’re set to appear at The Laugh Stand’s Comedy Gala, as well as this year’s Sydney Comedy Festival. What’s making you laugh in 2016?
I’m thoroughly enjoying all the people in Australia who don’t believe that Donald Trump could be elected the next President of the United States. Obviously these people have never heard of B-grade actor turned terror of Russia, Ronald Reagan. Be afraid people, be afraid!
Across a 20-plus-year career, you’ve worked across stand-up, television, radio, theatre, podcasting and more. Where do you get the biggest thrills?
Nothing is as thrilling as having a great gig with a new show. I opened my new show Hoot! in Perth a few weeks ago and it had never been performed before. I looked at the sold-out crowd, had a moment of thinking, “If this doesn’t work it is going to disappoint a lot of people,” and when it came together it was like taking a sugar shot straight to the brain.
Is it necessary to be adaptable in order to make a living out of comedy?
Yes.
On your podcast, Can You Take This Photo Please?, you’ve interviewed all sorts of famous names. Can you choose a highlight?
I’d have to say Scottish Tony Martin. Tony has been so brilliant on the podcast and still makes me laugh like a teenager when we hang out.
If you could be interviewed by anyone in the world, alive or dead, who would it be?
David Bowie because it would mean he was still alive and also be a fan of my work. That would be heaven for me.
Justin Hamiltonappears atHarold Park Hotel on Tuesday February 23, and his showHoot!is playing at the Enmore Theatre as part of Sydney Comedy Festival 2016, Thursday April 28 – Sunday May 1.
