Life and other absurdities

Bendigo Weekly | Bendigo Weekly | 09-Aug-2012

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Harley Breen
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By STEVE KENDALL
COMEDIAN Harley Breen’s act is about life.
Every happening has a potential for a laugh, that’s a lot of material.
Brisbanite-turned-Melburnian Harley is on stage in Bendigo on August 25 at The Capital.
He said his act is universal, and as it’s about his life it will reflect where he is.
“I won’t specifically tailor it for Bendigo, but if something happens it may be in the act,” he said.
“I talk about my family and my child, and the way I see the world, and I very much enjoy being in country towns.
“When it’s nearing Comedy Festival time every happening is stored away on the phone: ‘I can use that’ I say.”
Harley said there’s a story in everything which happens in life, it’s just the way you tell it.
“Some people can relate a story and it’s the most boring thing you’ve heard, then someone else gets their hands on it  and it’s gold,” he said.
Harley’s keen to say he considers nothing is off limits.
“There is a way to say certain things,” he said.
“Some subject matters are very sensitive, but if you go about it the right way you can get people laughing about stuff they didn’t think they would.”
In Bendigo Harley will perform with Fiona O’Loughlin and Geraldine Hickey, both mates on the circuit.
“It’s very much a team effort,” Harley said when asked if there was competition for laughs.
“It’s all about the show rather than the individual performers.”
Harley is alone on stage, but said he will make reference to the other performers if they have a similar subject.
“The double act and triple act always happens backstage, the audience doesn’t get to see that,” he said.
“It’s a shame because they are the funniest moments sometimes.”
As is always the way it seems with comedians, Harley is expected to be funny on cue.
“People ask me to tell a joke when they find out my what I do,” he said.
“Those who know me are more realistic. They know it’s just a job. It just happens to be a bit funnier than theirs.”
Harley’s ready for any crowd, because sometimes they are just not in the mood.
“You just bend down and grab an ankle and get it done,” he said.
“Sometimes collectively an audience is not into it. It could be the performer’s fault they’ve hit the mark wrong or haven’t read the audience right.”
Harley said he’s been doing gigs long enough to know the right tricks to change it up a bit.
“Maybe I’ll go cleaner, maybe dirtier, But I’ll find the mark.”

Harley Breen, Fiona O’Loughlin and Geraldine Hickey play The Capital on Saturday, August 25.

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