Last year, judges of the Edinburgh Fringe comedy awards panel also liked that about the Melbourne-based stand-up and nominated him for the Best Newcomer award. “It was my first ever Edinburgh and it’s like boot camp for comedians,” he recalls.
“I really experienced the gamut. Everything from a cancelled show because of zero sales to a great night; kind of doubting your voice as a comedian and then, all of a sudden, this nomination comes. It’s crazy and it made the final week better than anything I could have hoped for, so that was cool.”
It topped off a big year for Valvo, who also performed on The Melbourne Comedy Festival TV Gala, hosted the ABC’s Comedy Up Late program and recorded his debut TV stand-up special for ABC2.
“You’re not allowed to be happy with yourself in comedy so I’m supposed to say jokes and be really negative about it, but I had a really good 2016. I had a really fun time and the show hit a nail with a lot of people,” he says of Tongue in Cheek.
For this year’s Melbourne International Comedy Festival, he’s back with Not In This House. “As usual, I cover the gamut,” he says of the shows content. “I always have – probably annoyingly to most people – a lot to say about a lot of different things. This year is definitely reflecting on being 33. A lot of my friends I grew up with, my siblings, just everyone that is in my life – that new phase has really kicked in with babies and houses and I’m just not there yet.” he says.
The show will also cover some relationship topics, now that he’s three years into his relationship with boyfriend Cody. “I’ve found some really great things to share – some very intimate, full on bedroom details, which is going very well.”
The show is once again directed by his long-time collaborator Sean Lynch. The pair first began performing together in sketch group The Shambles, with Lynch now working behind the scenes directing Valvo. “The writing is all me, and I think that’s an important thing to do because you don’t want to lose your voice,” he says of their creative relationship.
The show will blend stand-up with some audience games and audio gags. “There might be a couple of die-hard stand-up lovers that don’t like that kind of thing, but I actually love it and I embrace it. It makes my shows different,” he says.
By Joanne Brookfield
Venue: ACMI – Studio
Dates: Thursday March 30 – Sunday April 23 (bar Mondays)
Duration: 55 minutes
Tickets: $20 – $32
