First Melbourne International Comedy Festival solo show for Bendigo's Ash Greblo
STEPPING OUT: Bendigo comedian Ash Greblo will unveil his first solo show at the Melbourne Internal Comedy Festival. Picture: SUPPLIED
After three years sharing shows at the Melbourne International Comedy Festival, comedian Ash Greblo is preparing for his first solo for the iconic festival.
The Bendigo product's show - Happy Go Grebby - came about after Greblo was part of a line-up at a comedy where many of the acts were "a bit sad".
"It wasn't going very well. It was full house and every comedian was a bit sad, their (jokes) were a bit depressing," he said. "The room was turning and (backstage) I thought about what I wanted to do. I just thought to do the happiest jokes I have. It was fun, silly and went great."
Stepping into a solo show at one of the world's biggest comedy festival is daunting for the up-and-coming comedian.
"It's a risky step. When you do a split show (with other comedians), you have audience members who maybe came to see someone else," Greblo said. "Now I have got to get audience who want to see me for an hour by myself. It's pretty daunting.
"Last year I did sell out a few shows with Andrew Portelli and Urvi Majundar and I'm hoping people buy tickets late. It's still 24 days away, so there's time."
As a point of difference to the average stand-up comedy gig, Greblo is trialling a sort of choose-your-own-adventure type of show for his audience.
"A lot of new jokes have been done for this show and I usually write the show from start finish," he said.
"This time I put the jokes in a hat and let the audience pick them out. It (takes away) the safety net a bit. I'm doing a trial of the show at the Cambrian Hotel (in Bendigo) on March 10. It will be a run through of the new jokes."
Ash Greblo's Happy Go Grebby is at Crowded In The Vaults in Federation Drive, Melbourne, from March 24 to April 5. Tickets available from www.comedyfestival.com.au/2020/shows/happy-go-grebby