Who is Mandy Nolan?
I am a stand up comedian of over 3 decades, a mother of 5, author of 5 books and at the last Federal Election I ran for the Greens for the seat of Richmond in Northern NSW (Byron Bay area) and I came super close. I lost. But we were one of the 3 seats held over for a week. I figured that running for Parliament gave me two options: win and become am MP. Lose and write a new show. I couldn’t lose either way.
What would you do differently from what you do now?
Clearly I would have done what it takes to win. Maybe I could have done a few nude corflutes to push home my eco message?
Who inspires you and why?
Young feminists like Grace Tame who don’t smile at creepy Prime Ministers. I love that young women hold the line. Us older women have been smiling at men we hate for years.
What would you do to make a difference in the world?
I joined the Greens and decided to use my comedy super powers to break into Parliament. I’ve raised hundreds of thousands of dollars for DV services. I am the Patron for Adolescent Mental Health Service, Human Nature. And I’ve had lots of kids. It’s the only way to make Greens voters. Unfortunately instead of staying in my region and voting for me they keep moving to Melbourne and vote for Adam Bandt.
Favourite holiday destination and why?
Home. Because I am so rarely home that it feels like a holiday. Also we have less than 1% rental availability because of Airbnb – so I just pretend I’m on vacay. I write myself tremendous reviews.
When friends come to town, what attraction would you take them to, and why?
The Big Prawn. Because it reminds us of a simpler time. When you could get a yes for a DA for a 30 metre high giant crustacean looking into a housing estate without even an environmental impact study. It’s so tacky I love it.
What are you currently reading?
Why Men Hate Women (I’m not kidding. It really stops people talking to you on the plane) and Quit Like a Woman by Holly Whittaker – it’s a feminist deconstruction of Big Alcohol. I’ve stopped drinking now for 9 months and I’m doing my best to keep it going.
What are you currently listening to?
Frogs after the rain. They’re amazing. Sometimes you have to turn your music off and tune into nature. It’s fricking amazing.
Happiness is?
Something capitalism tells us we can buy. But true happiness is living in a localised economy where the reflection of who you are is in the relationships of people in your community. I am 55 and I still want to smash the state. Capitalism sucks. It makes people feel like shit so they shop. That being said I also love shopping. I’m very complex!
What does the future hold for you?
I will be the next MP for Richmond. I intend to win next time so come see me now. This will be my last comedy show. I’m coming. You’ll see me. I’ll be riding a giant prawn into parliament.
Mandy will present her stand-up-show, The Candidate, in the Regent Room – Melbourne Town Hall, as part of the 2023 Melbourne International Comedy Festival: 30 March – 23 April. For more information, visit: www.comedyfestival.com.au for details.
Image: Mandy Nolan (supplied)