Who is Frank Woodley?
I’m an Australian comedian. My performance style has been described as being like watching a bemused child attempt to wrestle a giant octopus into a suitcase.
What would you do differently to what you do now?
I’d quite like to partake in flamboyant escapades in which I use my cunning and archery skills to rob from the rich and give to the poor but apparently that sort of thing is only considered wonderful by the powers that be if its done fictionally.
Who inspires you and why?
Gandhi said “If you’re making everybody happy, you can’t be being true to yourself” Very wise. I also find it difficult to choose an outfit for the day, so I’m considering spending more time in public in my jocks like he did.
What would you do to make a difference in the world?
We all contribute in our own way. For example when I commute on my bike I hook on one of those attachable toddler tandem bikes. I don’t have a child on it … but as I pass people I glance back over my shoulder and say “I can’t feel you peddling back there Patrick” Its just my way of giving other people a story to tell.
Favourite holiday destination and why?
There’s an amazing idillic little bay on the South Coast called Pebbly beach. Kangaroos hang out on the foreshore and rosellas come and sit on your shoulder. It feels like you’re in an advertising company’s first idea for a tourism campaign that never got past the pitch stage ’cause it was deemed too unbelievable.
When friends come to town, what attraction would you take then to, and why?
Maybe if get them out of town and take them down to the Great Ocean Road. Its absolutely stunning. Of course I wouldn’t do this if the friends who came to town had come to town from somewhere on the Great Ocean Road. That would be rude!
What are you currently reading?
I’m trying to read War and Peace in bed at night but I keep getting half way through the first sentence and falling asleep. From what I can ascertain its a very optimistic book about the best of times.
What are you currently listening to?
The Weezer station on my iphone app Pandora.
Happiness is?
The sound of children’s laughter (assuming they are not laughing at the pained expression on your face because they just kicked you in the testicles).
What does the future hold for you?
I’m about to tour my new stand up show Fool’s Gold. I did a try out of the show last night and the audience only laughed at one joke. Fortunately they laughed at it for fifty five minutes so if I can come up with another five I’m set.
After 20 years in the much loved, award-winning duo Lano and Woodley, Frank said Good Bye to being one half of a double act in 2006. His smash hit solo show Possessed played across Australia and the Edinburgh Festival with packed houses and rave reviews. In addition, his animated short, Chicken of God, received an AFI nomination and he won the coveted Herald Angel Award at the Edinburgh Fringe for his role of Candide in the Malthouse Theatre production of Optimism.
Frank was also a regular guest on ABC TV’s music quiz show Spicks and Specks and Network TEN’s Good News Week and an audience favourite on Thank God You’re Here. 2012 also saw the much anticipated debut of Woodley on ABC TV.
Never far from the stage, his appearances were audience favourites including Bewilderbees (2010), Bemusement Park (2012), and Inside (2013) with Simon Yates from acclaimed physical troupe, acrobat.
2014 sees Frank returning to his Woodley way with a new show, Fool’s Gold at the Adelaide Fringe Festival (18 – 23 February), Brisbane Comedy Festival (25 February – 2 March) and of course the Melbourne International Comedy Festival (27 March – 20 April).
Image: Frank Woodley