Who is Dylan Cole?
Well this question hasn’t at all made me consider all of the negative life choices I have ever made in the space of 20 seconds. Dylan Cole is a blubbery mess. But more importantly Dylan is a guy who can’t get enough of writing about himself in the 3rd person. He likes writing. Oh I’ve already said that? He likes reading. I’ve read this paragraph back 5 times now. He likes pretending he is someone else for 1 hour at a time, which is why he is a performer – but don’t ask him to do more than an hour, the other 23 hours are Dylan-time and he makes no apologies for that.
What would you do differently to what you do now?
I would probably try being a professional athlete… I’m not very coordinated, I hate the gym, I have no motivation and I quit easily… but I think I’d be good at it! Every time I see them on the telly, I’m like “I can do that! I just chose not to do that. Everyday.”
Who inspires you and why?
Really good performers and performances – like Michael J Fox in the film trilogy Back to the Future. But good performers and performances is why I love festivals so much. You get the explosion of ideas, raw, new, untested & done-to-death. It’s refreshing to see what other people are performing, and how they are pushing the boundaries of their own art. It puts your own work into perspective.
What would you do to make a difference in the world?
Is this question implying that I have no chance to make a difference at the moment… that is probably quite accurate? I’m a white middle class straight male – my job is mostly to shut up and listen.
Favourite holiday destination and why?
I do like Japan. No place on earth is as crazy or as peaceful, as totally stressed out, as it is calm and tranquil. In Japan, you are equally likely to die from being struck by lightning as you are from being shot by a gun. That’s my destination of choice!
When friends come to town, what attraction would you take them to, and why?
I live in Melbourne so after our deconstructed mushroom lattes… I take them to the CBD and tell them they have to go to this bar that actually doesn’t exist –I make up a name and the only other clue I give them “It’s down some laneway or something” – happy exploring.
What are you currently reading?
The Lord of the Rings – I started in the womb – I’m up to the bit that explains what hobbits are. I had a brief hiatus to read a Derryn Hinch book. It was very good.
What are you currently listening to?
The Lord of Rings audio book – I’m up to the bit that explains what hobbits are. I’m also listening to a recording of my show on repeat, I have to re-learn it.
Happiness is?
3 things… 1. Not caring what others think about you; 2. Not being a dick; and 3. Doing whatever you want. I do number 2 & 3 reasonably well, but struggle with number 1.
What does the future hold for you?
Christopher Lloyd’s magnum opus – Doc Brown once said, in Back to the Future Part III: “Oh the future, I could tell you about the future…” And there was a guy sitting next to him in the saloon holding a piece of barbwire like it was some weird sex toy. What was the question? Well I’m moving to the UK this year. Why? I don’t know. Where? I don’t know. But I do plan on doing Edinburgh Fringe in August – wish me luck.
Using intelligent, satirical writing and playful characters to produce a unique style of comedy that combines theatre and storytelling, Dylan will present Blank Tiles at the Tuxedo Cat: 17 – 28 February as part of the 2017 Adelaide Fringe. For more information, visit: www.adelaidefringe.com.au for details.
Image: Dylan Cole (supplied)