Rod Quantock has been performing stand-up comedy since before there was actually an Australian comedy scene. Nevertheless, the savant humorist hasn’t fallen behind the times. Verily, Quantock’s probably more in tune with contemporary issues than many of his present day co-practitioners. The Melburnian stand-up guru is known for broadcasting political views and Tony Abbott’s ascension to power surely gives him a lot to draw from.
“It’s going to be a very bleak three years for many people” he laments. “At the level of a comedian that’s OK, there’s stuff to make jokes about – which I do – but at a personal level I don’t really want to be here if Tony Abbott achieves what he wants to achieve. If people don’t take to the streets very soon I despair of what will happen to refugees and the climate and the economy and welfare and schools and hospitals and Medibank – all of those things that he has in his sights.”
Yes, for a comedian of Quantock’s persuasion the dire state of affairs ignited by the Abbott government is something of a bittersweet gift. The conservative leader’s seeming endeavour to destroy basic compassion makes it quite difficult for Quantock to insert positive implications into his political critiques. “Sometimes I think I should just walk on the stage and say, ‘Tony Abbott’s a prick,’ and then just go and leave it at that,” Quantock jests. “For the period of this government, I don’t think there’s any hope. The senate’s going to change and Clive Palmer’s going to be a force in federal politics.”
Just let that register for a minute. OK. So, should those attending Quantock’s Peak-A-Boo show at this year’s comedy festival brace themselves for an emphatic examination of collective woes? Well, Quantock remains a genial host, “I always thank people when they come in at the door and I always shake their hand on the way out,” but he does extend a word of warning.
“For people who’ll think, ‘I’ll stay away because I can’t be bothered being depressed,’ well they’re probably right. Nevertheless, in my life it’s a very successful comedy show. There’s no politics at all in the first half of the show and then the second half of the show is almost all politics. It’s a show that says some things quite bluntly that I want to say. There’s a lot of subtlety in the message, but I’m happy with it as a comic enterprise. It’s actually got a punchline. I’ve never had a punchline in a show in 45 years – it’s really good to end on a punchline, and it’s a funny one too.”
Essentially, the Melbourne International Comedy Festival gives the city a few weeks of roaring laughter. However, it could be also considered an engaging public forum that distributes and encourages critical thought. Indeed, given the severe agenda of the ruling political parties, someone’s got to alert the masses something’s the matter.
“The media now is completely in the grip of right-wing ideology,” opines Quantock. “People say all the time, ‘The internet’s the great thing,’ but if you go and check the top 10 Google searches you never find ‘Overthrow the Abbott government.’ I just try to do what I can and basically encourage people to do the same. To give an hour a day to the greater good is not a lot to ask of people. For the last 20-plus years I’ve thought of comedy as a tool. It’s a little rubber hammer really, in the great scheme of things, but I do use it to tap on the toes of the rich and powerful.”
BY AUGUSTUS WELBY
Venue: Melbourne Town Hall – Powder Room, Cnr Swanston & Collins St, CBD
Dates: Currently playing until April 20
Times: 6pm (Sunday 5pm)
Tickets: $26-$32
