Love, family and heartbreak lie at the core of Josie Long’s new comedy show, Cara Josephine. “It helped me a lot to write stand-up about old relationships and about my family,” says Long, as she reflects on her most personal show to date. “It was cathartic! I started out the show feeling really angry and frustrated and heartbroken, and it felt like through the show, I could move on and make it into something silly and fun. It’s helped me clarify what I think and feel about love and hopefully that’ll be helpful to someone!
“This show was a really different writing process to the others I’ve made,” she considers. “I wanted to take more time to see what the show was going to become, and it fed into what was happening in my life as I wrote it, too. I started out doing prototype versions of the show in January last year, but they were mainly about how incredible my electric blanket is because it was a chilly winter in England.”
The British comedian started doing stand-up at 14, but pursued it more seriously after graduating from Oxford University. “I have always been obsessed with comedy: on TV and live stuff,” states Long. “And I have always been a big show off! I realised, when I was about ten or 11, that all I wanted to do was be a performer, so in a lot of ways I am really lucky to have been so sure so early on. Now, I am in a weird position where I can’t imagine my life without it, so I truly hope it doesn’t all go tits up from here.”
She’s one of UK’s most unique comedy stars. Regularly appearing on radio and TV, Long is opinionated, quirky and endearingly genuine, and armed with a fiery political and social conscience. The British comic draws inspiration from unique artists, regardless of their medium. “I love Joanna Newsom,” Long asserts. “She has a completely unique voice. She writes these epic albums that are so detailed and wonderful, so incredibly clever and wise. Her lyrics are fantastic poetry. Her album Have One On Me is just awe inspiring – it’s the most comprehensive piece of art about breakups and love I’ve ever found.”
There’s always been an invigorating political heart to Long and her comedy: “The election is coming up in the UK in a month or so, and I am pretty obsessed by that. I am desperate to get the Tories out as they are villains.”
Whether asserting her views on feminism or the Conservative Party, Long believes stand-up is an effective means of examining one’s views. “I think humour can be incredibly powerful in changing people’s perceptions about the world around them,” says Long, “because when you’re laughing along with something, you are more open to the ideas being presented to you, and stand-up gives you such a wonderful chance to really share your worldview with the crowd over the length of your show.
“I love comedy as much as I ever have,” Long enthuses. “It’s so exciting, because you are a stand-up for your whole life – it becomes how you interpret and understand your experiences. It’s always evolving; it’s such a new genre and you see new people coming up and doing wonderful things, and that inspires you to innovate and work harder. I love that you can constantly change your style and write whatever’s in your heart. I fucking love performing.”
BY CHRISTINE LAN
Venue: Melbourne Town Hall – Supper Room, Cnr Swanston & Collins St, CBD
Dates: Currently being performed until April 19 (except Monday)
Times: April 8 – 12: 9.45pm (Sunday 8.45pm), April 14 – 19: 8.15pm (Sunday 7.15pm)
Tickets: $26.50 – $34
