The woes of modern life can feel daunting, but with guidance from the Agony Live, the chaos of the world can be mediated with clarity and humour.
The Agony format features a revolving lineup of Australia’s brightest comedy stars.
Creator Adam Zwar helms theformat, and provides insight into its success.
“It’s very much based on truth,” he says. “I’ll try not to sound too cliché, but I really do like breaking away from the artifice of the performer and getting to know what’s inside their hearts. I think entertainers and performers and comedians are really interesting people and there is something that has got to happen to them in their lives to actually make them want to go down that path in the first place. There are many psychological studies that kind of reflect that.”
Zwar – a journalist by design – formatted the show as a series of intimate interviews with a sparkling array of talent. He “felt that we really got to the heart of these people… and found that there was a definite truth about it.” These truths could have the effect of informing other people about their own lives through a variety of narratives, experience and perspectives.
The show has brought together the likes of comedy legends Glenn Robbins, Lawrence Mooney, Fiona O’Loughlin, Dave O’Neil and Jo Stanley – aiding the audience with advice on everything from falling in love to losing a house. In Zwar’s opinion, the Comedy Festival iteration will allow the panel to move into areas that they otherwise couldn’t in a televised format.
“What the major difference is, in the live version it’s unplugged and uncensored,” he says. “So the live audience will get a sense what the Agony Aunts and Uncles are really thinking. It’s a bit of a privileged, up-close look at the people they love from the show.”
By Julie Carli
Venue: Yarraville Club,135 Stephen St, Yarraville
Dates: Friday April 8 & Saturday April 9
Time: 7.30pm
Tickets: $45
