On 26 March, I had a coffee with Perri Cassie to talk about his upcoming Melbourne International Comedy Festival (MICF) show ‘Secondhand Bubblegum’. Perri presents as an ambitious comedian who is determined for his show to have wide appeal. Embarking on his third MICF show, Perri appears to be the right vintage to take his comedy to the next level.
Hugs achieved: x1
With one of the shortest spiels of the festival guide, Perri Cassie’s 2018 Melbourne International Comedy Festival show ‘Secondhand Bubblegum’ is simple but effective in its approach: “Perri Cassie’s comedy is sweet, but not quite right. Kind of like chewing someone else’s gum. Enjoy his chewed and bubbled view of a world that spat him out and stuck him under a chair”.
“I love the idea of themed shows… but I don’t think I could do one… I just like to write jokes”, says Perri. ‘Secondhand Bubblegum’ is a “single man, stand-up show” which focuses on “how life can be bitter sweet”. Perri plans to draw on his local experiences as well as the lessons learnt during his adventures to the United States last year.
Perri’s style of stand-up is mixed as he enjoys incorporating one-liners and stories into his show. However he notes “most of my jokes are ‘few-liners’, they’re not one-liners but they’re not long stories…. one, two, three, punch kind of thing”! Variety is the key for Perri as he wants to be engaging and entertaining for the duration of his show. “I go between being very dry and deadpan, to being quite smiley and cheeky… and I also go quite aggressively… I do it intentionally. I like to lull down, and bounce back up”.
Entering his third year of the MICF, Perri brings a seasoned approach to ‘Secondhand Bubblegum’ that is focussed on bringing regular and consistent laughs from an audience. Perri is “quite driven” as he has “loved comedy since I was young…it’s always something I wanted to do”. He recalls watching Conan O’Brien monologues at a young age and wanting to write his own jokes. While making his own mark, he has been influenced by Hannibal Buress, John Mulaney and Nate Bargatze as well as other local acts. “I really admire, love Nick Cody… and really like Becky Lucas, I am such a huge fan - she’s fucking great”!
Perri wants to be a successful comedian, not only for the opportunity to take his comedy to the international stage but also to perform in theatres in Australia. He describes his enthusiasm for being able to perform at MICF managed venues in Trades Hall and the Chinese Museum, and the experience it will offer audiences. Perri is eager to embrace any fame from comedy and the potential benefits that could come out of it. “I would sell out in a moment…if Pepsi approached me today, I would be doing jokes about Coke by tonight”, Perri laughs!
‘Secondhand Bubblegum’ is intentionally an accessible show where Perri has made a “conscious effort…to try and appeal to everyone. I write jokes that can appeal to anyone, anywhere”. He continues, “it’s not stuff you have to think super hard about…I’m not trying to trick you, it’s there to be funny”. As Perri attests, he may be “someone you haven’t heard of, but you’ll have a good time”!
Check out Perri Cassie in ‘Secondhand Bubblegum’ from 29 March to 8 April (Trades Hall) and 10 to 22 April (Chinese Museum). For more information and to book tickets, click here.
Hugs achieved: x1
With one of the shortest spiels of the festival guide, Perri Cassie’s 2018 Melbourne International Comedy Festival show ‘Secondhand Bubblegum’ is simple but effective in its approach: “Perri Cassie’s comedy is sweet, but not quite right. Kind of like chewing someone else’s gum. Enjoy his chewed and bubbled view of a world that spat him out and stuck him under a chair”.
“I love the idea of themed shows… but I don’t think I could do one… I just like to write jokes”, says Perri. ‘Secondhand Bubblegum’ is a “single man, stand-up show” which focuses on “how life can be bitter sweet”. Perri plans to draw on his local experiences as well as the lessons learnt during his adventures to the United States last year.
Perri’s style of stand-up is mixed as he enjoys incorporating one-liners and stories into his show. However he notes “most of my jokes are ‘few-liners’, they’re not one-liners but they’re not long stories…. one, two, three, punch kind of thing”! Variety is the key for Perri as he wants to be engaging and entertaining for the duration of his show. “I go between being very dry and deadpan, to being quite smiley and cheeky… and I also go quite aggressively… I do it intentionally. I like to lull down, and bounce back up”.
Entering his third year of the MICF, Perri brings a seasoned approach to ‘Secondhand Bubblegum’ that is focussed on bringing regular and consistent laughs from an audience. Perri is “quite driven” as he has “loved comedy since I was young…it’s always something I wanted to do”. He recalls watching Conan O’Brien monologues at a young age and wanting to write his own jokes. While making his own mark, he has been influenced by Hannibal Buress, John Mulaney and Nate Bargatze as well as other local acts. “I really admire, love Nick Cody… and really like Becky Lucas, I am such a huge fan - she’s fucking great”!
Perri wants to be a successful comedian, not only for the opportunity to take his comedy to the international stage but also to perform in theatres in Australia. He describes his enthusiasm for being able to perform at MICF managed venues in Trades Hall and the Chinese Museum, and the experience it will offer audiences. Perri is eager to embrace any fame from comedy and the potential benefits that could come out of it. “I would sell out in a moment…if Pepsi approached me today, I would be doing jokes about Coke by tonight”, Perri laughs!
‘Secondhand Bubblegum’ is intentionally an accessible show where Perri has made a “conscious effort…to try and appeal to everyone. I write jokes that can appeal to anyone, anywhere”. He continues, “it’s not stuff you have to think super hard about…I’m not trying to trick you, it’s there to be funny”. As Perri attests, he may be “someone you haven’t heard of, but you’ll have a good time”!
Check out Perri Cassie in ‘Secondhand Bubblegum’ from 29 March to 8 April (Trades Hall) and 10 to 22 April (Chinese Museum). For more information and to book tickets, click here.
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