“Adrian is responsible for leading the production team and creating all of the venues and pop-up venues around town. People think that these places just land and that they just happen – they definitely don’t,” shares Virginia Lovett, General Manager of the Melbourne International Comedy Festival and close friend of Adrian. “There’s a whole production team bumping in and bumping out, liaising with the suppliers, etc. Adrian has worked with Susan [Provan, Festival Director] for 20 years on the festival and has basically seen it go from a fairly nascent festival into the second biggest comedy festival in the world. He’s also a stalwart in the industry. He works here for six months as that’s the length of the contract, and then he goes off and tours people like Kitty Flanagan and Carl Barron, he’s been part of the Australian comedy scene for such a long time.”
“What makes great festivals and arts organisations around the country is this sort of workforce that travels from town to town, festival to festival. They’re not itinerant, but they’re transient,” notes Lovett carefully. “They’ve got contracts here and contracts there, I think what hit home was that Adrian’s only in his early 50s, and to have a massive stroke and to have his capabilities of working reduced so significantly and most likely needing long-term care and help with his family – you’re not sort of in a usual nine-to-five job and putting away your nest egg. He’s on a very long journey to get back to independent living.”
In support of Adrian and his eternal legacy towards Australian comedy, next month will see the community band together for Yo, Adrian!, a fund-raising gala extraordinaire featuring both the cream of Australian comedic talent and those whose lives have been enriched through Adrian’s tireless work. “The comedy community is quite amazing when it comes to things like this. I’ve been overwhelmed, everyone just wants to be a part of it whether it’s performing or just helping backstage or ushering,” tells Lovett before pausing and laughing. “The show’s going to go until dawn in things continue the way they’re going.”
“Adrian is one of those unassuming heroes who works his arse off behind the scenes to make us comedians look good,” shares Denise Scott. “One comedy festival, my entire lightening rig and set collapsed during my show and within seconds Adrian was there with a six man swat crisis tech team who set about quietly reconstructing the stage, working around me as I continued to perform. I was so grateful, it made my show so much funnier. The man is a champion!” This sentiment is echoed by Justin Hamilton, who details his appreciation for Adrian’s diligent work. “For a comedian to shine he needs the lights to be bright, the sound to be crisp, the stage to be clear, the seats to be set, the tickets to be sold, the ego to be massaged and the night to be perfect,” he notes. “The people who work behind the scenes are so important even if they don’t take the bow at the end of the night and Adrian has helped us all shine just a little brighter with his tireless work at so many Melbourne International Comedy Festivals.”
“Ten years ago in Whyalla, South Australia I was tour with Adrian,” adds Tom Gleeson. “He told me I was good and was heading in the right direction. He’s seen all the best Australian stand ups from backstage. I lived off Adrian’s compliment for the rest of the year,” he beams.
“The idea is to raise enough money to help with his rehabilitation and to help with his on-going life post the stroke,” notes Lovett as she finalises the plans for Yo, Adrian! “He’s a very kind, funny and generous person. Obviously his life will never be the same. So that’s what we want to do – to give him security through the funds raised.”
BY TYSON WRAY
