If you didn’t know Simmons or his work, it would catch you completely unaware. Coming from perhaps the country’s finest comic in the realm of surrealism, absurdism and the avant-garde, however, it’s just another part of his repertoire.
After a year spent working out of London and Los Angeles, Simmons is back on Australian turf for a couple of months for two key reasons. The second is a little more personal in nature – Simmons is embracing fatherhood. It could easily be seen as a stressful time for the Adelaide-born performer, but Simmons is surprisingly quite collected.
“It’s fine. It’s the fun stuff I’m looking forward to,” he says. “I know it’ll be a lot of hard work and late nights, but I know the fun parts of being a parent are going to make it all worth it.”
Following his MICF run, Simmons and his family will head back to foggy London town. In fact, Simmons has spent the better part of the last few years as an expatriate, returning for only brief stints at festivals before going overseas again. It may seem a curious career move to some, but for Simmons it’s a complete no-brainer.
“There’s a lot more opportunity overseas for someone like me,” he says. “I’ll still come back to Australia every year, and I still love performing in Australia…” At this point, Simmons ticks over into the booming, melodramatic voice he often employs while performing. “I still love it,” he affirms. A beat, then back to normal: “I’m getting a lot of work in the UK, and there’s only so much you’re able to get done here.”
Simmons’ logic makes sense, which is something you don’t get to say about him all that often. After all, this is the same comedian who has spent previous shows smashing cabbages together, drinking what appeared to be sunscreen and pushing Old El Paso tacos into his chest. There aren’t many other comics – Australian or otherwise – who quite fit into that Venn diagram between weirdness and whimsy.
“I get the feeling that people seem to think I’m some sort of anti-stand-up,” Simmons says. “Some people think it’s all bread shoes and getting my cock out – just walking around with a crumpet on my head going, ‘Ner-ner.’ The reality is that I like the more creative side of performance – I like weighing in on that element more than most.
“I have so much respect for the art of stand-up comedy. My favourite comedians are Bill Burr, Tom Gleeson, Judith Lucy, all just people that are naturally funny. I just approach it differently. I’ve been told that I’m too weird and too niche my entire career. Maybe they’re right, but I’m so glad I stuck to my guns.”
By David James Young
Venue: Forum Theatre – Upstairs
Dates: Thursday March 30 – Sunday April 23 (bar Mondays)
Duration: 60 minutes
Tickets: $27 – $39
