On the Couch with Thomas Jaspers

Thomas Jaspers oncWho is Thomas Jaspers?
Thomas Jaspers is the campest, most self-deprecating queen you will have the pleasure of seeing this Comedy festival. He is commonly seen in a ball gown dressed as his alter ego ‘Rhonda Butchmore’; a parody of music theatre legend Rhonda Burchmore, however he has shed the frock for this festival and will be revealing his deepest, darkest, most tragic stories to the brave audience.

What would you do differently to what you do now?
I would like to do exactly what I do now, but on television and for a lot more money than I currently get.

Who inspires you and why?
Barry Humphries is my idol – his disregard for political correctness and his ability to shock an audience, even after so many years on stage, is remarkable.

What would you do to make a difference in the world?
I would like to own most of it. Failing that, gay marriage and world peace and no more hunger and all that.

Favourite holiday destination and why?
New York baby! It’s like gay heaven. You can see a different theatre show every night, the Americans will sleep with ANYONE with an Australian accent (no matter how squishy your tummy had gotten, trust me) and there’s a good chance you might even run into Sarah Jessica Parker. And then you can say awful things to her about the Sex and The City movie.

When friends come to town, what attraction would you take then to, and why?
That wheel in the Docklands, because I am a really nice person. I figure if I set their expectations really low, then the rest of the trip is going to be amazing.

What are you currently reading?
Mrs Queen Takes The Train. It’s a fictional book about The Queen sneaking out of Buckingham Palace and going on a little holiday. It is not very good, but I love the Royals so I will read anything with a crown on the cover.

What are you currently listening to?
A song called Slut On A Monday Night by my dear friend Cole Escola which I will be singing in my show. I am making my singing debut in this show, but please don’t let that stop you from coming.

Happiness is?
A full box of KFC Popcorn Chicken, a Seachange Box Set and one of those people shaped pillows to make you feel like someone loves you.

What does the future hold for you?
Who knows after this show. I am talking about some pretty personal moments, both for myself and the other people in the stories, so I doubt anyone will date me again. Maybe I will move to Daylesford and open a B&B or something.

28-year-old Melbourne-born comedian Thomas Jaspers shows great comedic skill and ability in story-telling, creating ‘out of the box’ shows that are hilarious, all-consuming and sometimes even touching.

Long before he became the breakout hit of the 2013 Melbourne International Comedy Festival with No Place Like Homo, Thomas was a hit online, spoofing Australian theatre legend Rhonda Burchmore on Twitter with his alter ego beer loving, soapstar-trashing Rhonda BUTCHmore.

Since then, he’s appeared in the Adelaide Feast Festival, New York Fringe Festival, Sydney Mardi Gras, Brisbane Powerhouse and most recently Midsumma Festival in the highly acclaimed Rhonda’s Fabulous Guided CouTours of Arts Centre Melbourne.

Thomas is appearing in his show, Always the Bridesmaid at the Swamp Room, Gin Palace until 18 April as part of the 2015 Melbourne International Comedy Festival. For more information, visit: www.comedyfestival.com.au for details. 

Image: Thomas Jaspers