Australian comedian Danielle Walker is on a bit of a roll. She won the newbies competition RAW Comedy in 2016, in 2017 she was also invited to perform at the Sydney Opera House as part of the Just For Laughs festival, where her set was filmed for a special to broadcast on The Comedy Channel. And in 2018 won the Best Newcomer at the Melbourne Comedy Festival. Now in 2019 she is coming to the Soho Theatre with her acclaimed debut full-length show Bush Rat. Chortle says she has "insane pay-offs, delivered with the unhinged laugh a Batman villain would be proud of.” Have a read of this illuminating interview and discover what a "chook" is (though if you are Australian you may already know). And if you still want to know more have a read of this.
Danielle Walker is at the Soho Theatre from January 23 to February 3. Buy tickets here.
1. What is the last thing you do before you go onstage (apart from check your flies and/or check your knickers aren't sticking out of your skirt and check for spinach between your teeth)?
The last thing I do before I get onstage is make sure I've had a look at how to get on stage. I have a quick check to make sure there are no cords or anything that could trip me. I am terrified I'll trip over something on the way to the stage. It would be so embarrassing
2. What irritates you?
Currently I am irritated by the bugs living in my crows nest fern, I CANNOT get rid of them! I have tried everything!! none of my other plants have bugs, why does this plant attract them?!?! It's a mystery, and very annoying.
3. What is the most dangerous thing you have ever done?
Once my sister was sitting in a bean bag watching TV and I saw there was a scorpion getting close to her so I went over and caught it to save her. Yes, I am a hero. Also when I was 17 my parents were out of town and my friend was staying with me, there was a really big storm outside but we decided we wanted to get an ice cream each. I lived out in the countryside so the closest petrol station was a 20 minute drive away, My friends cars windscreen wipers stopped working about 10 minutes there, luckily she had goggles in her car, so she thought she would wear goggles and stick her head out the car window to navigate. That's not what goggles are for. luckily the white lines on the edge of the road where I live make a sound when you hit them so we knew when we were veering off the road. The Ice creams were good though.
4. What is the most stupid thing you have ever done?
See previous answer
5. What has surprised you the most during your career in comedy?
The different ways you get paid. Before I did comedy I was a medical receptionist and I got paid a wage. Recently I got offered a gig where there was no pay BUT because I was a performer I could get 30% off a pizza at the venue.
Interview continues here.
