On the Couch with Sharon Andrews

Sharon Andrews Arts Review On the CouchWho is Sharon Andrews?
I am a stand up comedian currently competing in the national final of Raw Comedy. I am also an academic and a person who sometimes struggles with public speaking, being introverted and slightly shy. All of those things shouldn’t go together but they do. I struggle with boredom so my stand up is quite eclectic. I love reading books about stand up, particularly theories on why people laugh. I’m obsessed by comedy. It’s a true passion.

What would you do differently to what you do now?
I would have started doing stand up a lot earlier. Mid forties makes me a very late bloomer. I would also have tried a lot harder to learn the lesson of not giving two … about what other people think. Deep down I think I should have been a lawyer. If I was to change my education I would do law.

Who inspires you and why?
People who feel the fear and do it anyway inspire me. So do people that just keep putting one foot in front of the other despite adversity. I admire courage and that is captured in both of those things. My partner inspires my comedy in lots of ways and she is very supportive. I fangirl anyone who is really good with language and arguing a point.

What would you do to make a difference in the world?
I would change the education system to focus on the basics – reading, writing, thinking, creating, imagining and the fundamentals – how power is exercised, what being respectful means (at all levels), what constitutes justice, what it means to have agency.

Favourite holiday destination and why?
Laos – beautiful people, architecture, food, scenery. The pace is slower than in other parts of Asia. It also has an interesting political history.

When friends come to town, what attraction would you take them to, and why?
Town to me is Torquay, so I often take them to Bells Beach and Point Addis. If we have more time we go further down the Great Ocean Road. It’s all very beautiful.

What are you currently reading?
The Technology of Organism by Rachel P Maines, it’s ‘research’ for a comedy show I am writing.

What are you currently listening to?
First Aid Kit

Happiness is?
Being at a raucous dinner party with close friends

What does the future hold for you?
Competing in the Raw Comedy final – which means performing in front of my biggest crowd so far (can’t wait). I am also performing my first full-length solo show at The Butterfly Club in May. It’s a comedic social history of sex toys called People with Glass Dildos Shouldn’t Throw Stones. I hope to tour a show across regional parts of Australia including some of my old haunts like Coffs Harbour.

The 2017 RAW Comedy National Grand Final takes place this Sunday 16 April – 5.00pm at the Melbourne Town Hall. For more information, visit: www.comedyfestival.com.au for details.

Image: Sharon Andrews (supplied)