Who is Daniel Tobias?
I’m Lanie Tobias’ brother.
What would you do differently to what you do now?
I would chew my food more slowly. It’s much better for you digestion.
Who inspires you and why?
Nadezhda Tolokonnikova and Maria Alyokhina from Pussy Riot. They’ve been to hell and back and they still speak up for what they believe in.
What would you do to make a difference in the world?
Make the school system start again from scratch. There’s so much great information about how individuals learn and yet it’s largely ignored. I would put emphasis on philosophy, critical thought and creativity.
Favourite holiday destination and why?
I was just on Phillip Island with my family. I like it when you get time to play board games or cards. That doesn’t seem to happen often enough.
When friends come to town, what attraction would you take then to, and why?
The Lanes are quite handy. You can walk around for a bit and then if your guests get annoying you can slip around the corner and lose them.
What are you currently reading?
Religion For Atheists by Alain de Botton and The Life of I by Anne Manne.
What are you currently listening to?
There are three podcasts that I cannot miss. Marc Maron’s WTF; Savage Lovecast with Dan Savage; and Greg Proops’ Smartest Man In The World.
Happiness is?
A ripe mango.
What does the future hold for you?
I hope I’m fortunate enough to keep making things.
Daniel Tobias is a theatre maker, performer, writer and musician. He is a creator and co-writer of Berlin’s multi-award winning cabaret punk rockers Die Roten Punkte (The Red Dots). Since 2007 Die Roten Punkte have been almost constantly on tour in North America, Europe and the UK. They have been nominated for six Green Room (Cabaret) Awards including Best Ensemble, Best Original Songs and Musical Direction.
Die Roten Punkte won the Green Room for Best Production – Cabaret in 2008. They also took out Best English Production – Montreal Fringe, Best Comedy – Victoria Fringe, Most Outstanding Production – Ottawa Fringe. They were nominated for a Total Theatre Award 2009 and the Time Out & Soho Theatre Award for Best Cabaret 2013. Die Roten Punkte have released four albums and have opened for Amanda Palmer and The Grand Theft Orchestra in Europe and the USA.
Daniel toured with the multi-award winning show Keating! – The Musical in Brisbane and Darwin, and played the ‘Spiegel Host’ in Casey Bennetto’s Largely Fanciful History of the Spiegeltent. He has had lead guest roles in television shows such as MDA, Blue Heelers, Neighbours and Good Guys Bad Guys. For many years Daniel fronted countless rock, pop, funk, soul bands in pubs around Melbourne including eighties tribute band 80s Enuff.
Daniel is currently appearing in The Orchid & The Crow at the Malthouse Theatre until 22 February. For more information, visit: www.malthousetheatre.com.au for details.
Image: Daniel Tobias