General News
16 October, 2024
Comedian ready to put on another great show in Mount Isa
Dave O'Neil says he'll try and add some local fodder to his stand-up routine.
Comedian Dave O’Neil says Outback audiences are pretty appreciative when touring performers appear on their local stages.
And perhaps the same can be said about our local police?
Speaking from his Melbourne home as he prepares to travel to Mount Isa for a one-night stand up show at the Civic Centre tomorrow night (Friday), O’Neil recalls an interaction with our highway patrol during a drive to Julia Creek.
The comedian, writer and actor had performed in Mount Isa the evening prior and had agreed to appear on stage at Julia Creek for a charity event.
Confusing North West Queensland with the much more liberal Northern Territory speed limits, O’Neil was roaring along the Flinders Highway well above what was permitted.
It wasn’t long before he saw the police lights flashing him down.
“Mate, where did you come from? We are in the middle of nowhere,” he exclaimed to the officer as he handed over his Victorian driver’s licence.
“What’s your business out here?” the officer enquired.
O’Neil said he was due shortly at the Julia Creek Civic Centre for a comedy performance. The police officer immediately halted his license inspection.
“Oh – I have tickets for that. You better be on your way then,” he proclaimed.
With no infringement notice and no further questions, O’Neil continued unimpeded to Julia Creek.
“I just hope the guy enjoyed the show,” he joked to North West Weekly.
Whether it be appearing at the Mount Isa Mines centenary celebrations last year or on stage at the Mount Isa Civic Centre, the journeyman comedian has travelled to the North West multiple times in recent years.
He said the uniqueness of our region could provide a lot of fodder for his stand-up routines.
O’Neil said he usually didn’t have a car during his jaunts in Mount Isa and so wanders the streets, surveys the city lookout or enjoys a beer in a booth at the Isa Hotel in the hours prior to the gig.
He says he is always on the hunt for new material.
The comic admitted he had reached a point in his career where something that catches his eye on the streets of a city can feature in his routine a few hours later.
“I can read the crowd – if they are older in age, I can do jokes about the 80s and 90s and if it is a younger crowd I can do more jokes about vaping and e-scooters or whatever young people like these days,” he jokes.
“But if I see something that I find interesting or funny then I’ll start making jokes about it on stage that night. Country audiences are great because you get a lot more interaction and they are just great crowds. I really love coming out to Mount Isa. It’s a nice place you’ve got out there.”
Tickets are still available for Dave O’Neil’s stand-up show, Overweight Lightweight with guest Brad Oakes, at the Mount Isa Civic Centre from 7.30pm on Friday, October 18.