Lucy Best; Writer, Producer, Performer

June 2022 eNooze

I wondered if hurdlers ever thought, you know, “This would go faster if we just got rid of the hurdles.” ― John Green, The Fault in Our Stars

Keeping on keeping on

After the dream run of my first full length solo show I have had a trying week! I’ve been sick, my kids have been sick, the weather is rubbish, the mornings are dark. But I’m doing what I always do – keeping on keeping on!

Some friends and I got matching tattoos to remind us of our strength in the face of, well, everything!

What’s next for Disgraceful?

Like all of us, Disgraceful is a work in progress.
Thanks to some of the on stage learnings, I plan to make some tweaks and adjustments. I have an incredible sense of satisfaction and achievement from doing EVERYTHING myself (writing, directing, producing, recording, design, wardrobe, graphic design, marketing etc), with support from my cabaret mentor, Tash York. However moving forward I will be formally getting some support with some of the parts of the show I want to develop. For example some choreography for the musical numbers, instead of of me just awkwardly jumping around and waving my arms about!
I plan to put the show back on later this year, before taking it on tour in 2023.
Watch this space for updates!

Gigs

Lots of south side gigs this month!

15th June – Comedy at Classic, 9 Gordon St, ElsternwickDoors 7.30pm show starts 8pm
16th June Drag Disco Diner, 15 Holmes Rd, Moonee Ponds 7pm
19th June (my brother’s birthday and) Red Eye Comedy, 17 Carlisle St, St Kilda 7pm –
21st June Red Betty Comedy, 859A Sydney Rd, Brunswick (enter through Cozens st laneway at the back) 7pm
28th June Smiling Politely, 303 High St, Northcote 8pm
29th June Lucky Coq, 179 Chapel St, Windsor 9pm

Come to a gig and say hi.

And FYI for those following from the Northern Hemisphere I will be there for the festive season late Dec to mid Jan. If you have places I can gig, please let me know and I’ll come and do a cheeky spot. And if you want to have a pint and a pack of crisps with me in a pub with a fire and people with their dogs then sign me up!

Thank you.
Love you.
Byee

Three more chances to catch Disgraceful at The Butterfly Club

The most important freedom is freedom from your own self-judgment
-Vironika Tugaleva

The show is going well, I am (as always) struggling with my inner judge (hence the quote) but these lovely reviews are making me feel a lot better!

“...very funny one-woman show… resolutely unapologetic or regretful… Best’s delivery is surprisingly clean… consistently funny…
Best’s on-stage persona being especially warm and affable… slick delivery” – Jim Schembri

“There is a vulnerability and self-consciousness in Best’s storytelling that is both relatable and admirable… warmness, grace and sharp humour” – Arts Hub

“Disgraceful is a funny… in-your-face trip down memory lane crossing times, trends, and continents. Lucy Best does what she does best – tells a story of ‘getting your sh/t together’… or not.” – Weekend Notes

Book tickets here!

MUAH/ Styling and Photography: Rachel Mia

I hope to see you there.
Thank you.
Love you.
Bye.
x

May 2022 eNooze

“Never let the fear of striking out get in your way.” – Babe Ruth

Sorry I’m a bit late with this one. I had covid in April and have been moving a little slower ever since. I’m ok though!
My focus this month is Disgraceful! I am so excited to be putting this on at the glorious cabaret venue, The Butterfly Club. I am also terrified, hence the Babe Ruth quote! I love working with The Butterfly Club and my cabaret mentor, Tash York. The show has really developed since it was covid cancelled in 2021 and I can’t wait to share it with you.
Book tickets here!

Other gigs

Before Disgraceful opens I’m squeezing in some gigs (and handing out some flyers!).

18^th May Always a fun night, with a gorgeous crowd, Queer Comedy is on this Wednesday at George’s Bar, FitzroyMay’s line up will feature James G Warren as MC, with special guests: Heather Joan, Miles Campisi, Helena Hogan, Joe Dolan, Sez, Jasmine Francis, Will Tim-son and ME!

19^th May Will be the first time I’m performing at The Rochester’s regular Thursday comedy. It’d be great to see some familiar faces in the crowd.

25^th May I’ll be at Comedy on Chapel for some late night comedyThe poster looks like a Blues Brother gate crashed a recital and I’m here for it. According to their facebook page “if fun is your thing come check it out”!

Then Disgraceful opens on 30^th May and runs for 6 nights.

Book your tickets here.

Thank you.
Love you.
Bye.

April 2022 eNooze

Not everything that is faced can be changed, but nothing can be changed until it is faced – (I saw this on Amy Bodossian’s Instagram. It is a quote from) James Baldwin

Unbridled is over and now I’m home and in bed with Covid!

We had an absolute hoot and we’re all very proud of the way the show has continued to improve. We will be planning our world tour as soon as possible/we find a wealthy sponsor!

Other shows

There’s still plenty of shows to see because comedy festival is on until 24^th April.
Also check out this great website, promoting shows by women and under-represented artists.
Now that Unbridled has wrapped, I was hoping to get along to shows but now I’m in bed with Covid, so that’s that!
George’s comedy all stars line up I’ll be on the line up for George’s Comedy Wednesday’s All Stars line up on 20th April.

Mistress of Mirth book

Justine’s Sless’s book The Mistress of Mirth’s Comedy Tour, on 9th April at The Athenaeum Library.

The book is fantastic and I think should be compulsory reading for anyone with an interest in comedy and/or how to combat gender based violence. It’s funny and clever. It’s well researched and shines a light on some important issues, whilst also acknowledging how we might overcome them.

Justine Sless at he book launch. Photo by me!

March 2022 eNooze

Not everything that happens to us occurs with reference to something about us. To be calm, we must reduce the weight of our proud and unrealistic modern individualism – School of Life

Hello! How are you?

I know that the world is full of scary and sad stuff but it is also full of good things. This eNews is an attempt to share some of the good things in my life, with you, in the hope that they might become good things in your life too.

Making art

I had the very great privilege of working with Rachel Mia once more.
Here’s Mandy – we had so much fun coming up with her back story. She won this hat at the realtor (or possibly tupperware) awards in her home town in America’s deep south! Yes – those are tiny me/ Mandy falling from the hat!Rachel is a creative (and technical) genius!

When you find yourself wearing a pink wig and wearable art by Gun Shy and Rachel Mia asks if you’re up for climbing a tree, you know you’re living your best life!
Tree/ magnificent bird images to come!

West Side Comedy

Me and my dear friend and comedy comrade/ wife, Nicky Barry, launched a new comedy competition night, with a musical element. We had two shows but sadly the venue was unable to host us any longer. We had a hoot and we love the model.
Nicky and I had also lined up an incredible bunch of hilarious performers, who we are keen to work with. So, watch this space for an announcement of new dates/ venue soon.

SCREEN TALES
Love film?
Love storytelling?

Then come and join me and working screenwriter/producer, Darren Markey, for an entertaining workshop, where you will build your knowledge of film and screenwriting.
SCREEN TALES is ideal for aspiring storytellers and/or screenwriters – and most importantly – anyone who loves film.

Photo credit: LB – Sharyn Booth/ Darren Markey – Leon Walking

You can book into either a weekend long intensive workshop in beautiful Blackwood (March 26/27), where Darren Markey’s first completed feature film THE UNLIT was partly shot, or over six weeks at multi-arts space the Palace of Magnificent Experience – POME (April 2 – May 14) in Richmond.
Find out more and book for Blackwood
Find out more and book at POME

Upcoming gigs

Tuesday 8th March is International Women’s Day. The theme this year is Break the Bias.

I’m going to be doing my bit to #BreakTheBias at Gaso Comedy – 8th March 2022
The Gaso, 484 Smith st, Collingwood. Doors 7.30
Gaso Comedy prides itself on putting on uncensored stand up comedy, so I’ll be there with an uncensored femmo rant (which will of course be hilarious and insightful).

Punch club – 10th March 2022
Upstairs at The Oxford Scholar, 427 Swanson St, Melb CBD
7pm doors. 8pm show start.
Punch Club: Thursday Night Comedy, is the newest weekly show in Melbourne.
Nicky Barry and I will be co-hosting a handpicked showcase of of some of the funniest comedians in Melbourne (& beyond).
Tickets: $7 presale / $10 on the door. Student tix $5.

Queer comedy – 23rd March
George’s Bar, 120 Johnston Street, Fitzroy. Doors 6pm, showtime 8(ish)pm
For the March edition our guest MC Julien Furnace will be joined by:

Me!
Josh Moyes
Maren Whittaker
Cavie
Thomas Banks
Luke Belle and more!

Unbridled – 30th Mar- 2nd April 2022Bard’s Apothecary, 7/24 Crossley St, Melbourne. 6.45pm
Unbridled is back for Melbourne International Comedy Festival 2022.
In case you didn’t know it was a huge success last year at The Butterfly Club (where, incidentally Disgraceful will be on in May).

‘This show needs to come with a disclaimer: causes doubts in the institute of marriage and “leakage” due to laughing.‘ – Weekend Notes
Book here

I hope this has cheered you up.
I hope you have some good things in your life.
I hope you can come to my shows.
I hope we can all work together to #BreakTheBias and create equality for ALL.
I hope you follow me on the socials! If not please do!
Thank you.
Love you.
Bye.
x

January eNews

Sorry for the delay in getting the January eNews to you. I’ve been a bit stuck about what to say. Announcing any upcoming gigs felt like setting myself up to have to unannounce them and I didn’t really have any words of wisdom for 2022, as things just went back to being so uncertain.

After next month it will be the year of the tiger though, and that’s my year. So that’s something.

26^th Jan – Queer Comedy Invasion day for Comedy at George‘s Bar Fitzroy, MC’d by my dear friend Michele da Costa. I’ll be there too. Hope to see you there.
30^th Jan – Lemon Comedy for Midsumma. Lemon Comedy Pride Edition is hosted by radio personalities ‘Annie (also one of my favourite people and comics!) and Ando’ from JOY94.9 (Australia’s only LGBTQ+ radio station).
7th Feb (sneaking an early Feb one in, just in case I am late again) – Kent St, Comedy. I’ll be MCing in this great new room in Melbourne’s iconic Kent St Bar

Day job news!
In my day job I work at Seniors Rights Victoria (SRV).
SRV is a community legal centre, that supports people experiencing or at risk of elder abuse. I am not at the front line, having to deal with the very sad cases that come to us. Our incredible team of advocates and lawyers do that. I work on a prevention project, aimed to educate people to help them protect themselves.

During lockdown in 2021 I worked with Seven Dimensions to produce a series of videos to help people understand the importance of planning ahead and making sure people close to you know what’s important to you. I asked some friends to film themselves talking about what matters to them. I wrote stories about the ways that things can go wrong, even with the best of intentions. Despite the obvious challenges the world threw at us I am really proud of the result. You can view them here.

In February I’ll be (hopefully) heading to Hobart to speak at Seventh Annual Elder Abuse Conference – NEAC 2002.

Over and out until February….

December 2021 eNooze

This is not a drill. It’s December. I repeat. It’s December.

Quick recap of 2021
– Had some gigs in Jan and things were weird – limited capacity, masks and QR codes but people sharing mics. Life was strange
– On 13^th Feb we had a snap lockdown until 17^th Feb
– Melbourne (not so international) comedy festival managed to go ahead in Mar-April and Nicky Barry and I performed Motherfu(t, with Justine Sless as our trusty tech and Darren Markey as the fabulous pool boy
– On the 28^th May we had another lockdown that ended on 10^th June
– 28th June-3rd July, Unbridled hit the stage. The fourth attempt! We had rave reviews and with an audience to die for! Here’s a little promo video I made. (We will be reprising Unbridled in 2022)
– 16^th July we went back into lockdown. It felt like the whole thing had been a dream.
– 3^rd October Melbourne became the most locked down city in the world. Go us!
– 22^nd October, things started to open up. Melbourne had endured/ survived 260 days of lockdown.Now – not quite two months on, we’re all still finding our feet. I hesitated to put on any shows (and Disgraceful was put very much on hold until 2022).
– I did however get to re-launch Queer Comedy IRL on 24^th November and it was truly magical. I am so proud and madly in love with our QC community.

Live From St Kilda with Ben Murphy on my Vimeo
In case you didn’t see it, here’s my segment from Live From St Kilda, which I was lucky enough to be able to shoot during lockdown, with lots of restrictions.
It’s such a great production and I look forward to next season. The cast and crew were amazing.

Now we head toward the end of the year, with a new Covid-19 variant and uncertainty ever looming. I have booked a trip back to the UK to see my family there but it’s hard to get fully excited when I am aware that it could all get covid cancelled.

Upcoming gigs
So, once again, clinging tightly to my tentative optimism, here’s some of what’s happening for me in the coming weeks:
– 15^th December Guerilla Comedy, Hawthorn
– 23^rd Dec – Hares & Hyenas 30 year celebration and the launch of Harehole Melbourne
– 23^rd Jan- 13^th Feb is Midsumma festival, so watch this space but so far I know I have…26^th Jan – Queer Comedy Invasion day for Comedy at George‘s
– 30^th Jan – Lemon Comedy for Midsumma I am beyond excited to be performing at Comedy Republic with this incredible line up
– Jaxson and I are also planning a Keep the Change in the new year
And of course… I need to get Disgraceful into the world!

Nov 2021 eNooze

We’re out of lockdown!

YAY! Melbourne is out of lockdown. There are still some restrictions but in the last few days we have been allowed to travel to regional Victoria. Venues are opening up for live performance and it’s all very exciting. I ventured out to a comedy gig, on the first evening we could.

Here is a photo by Michael Reynolds, of me and my darling friend, Nicky Barry screaming with excitement into the microphone after the gig finished. It was a lot. We feel it perfectly captures the mood in Melbourne that night!

I’m now trying to manage my energy levels, as I tend to try to do ALL THE THINGS ALL THE TIME, which is not very good for me!

I was on the telly!Live from St Kilda with Ben Murphy
Live from St Kilda with Ben Murphy is a weekly Television program filmed from The Alex Theatre in St Kilda and is hosted by internationally acclaimed comedy magician and illusionist Ben Murphy. Ben is also a regarded actor, radio host, writer, as well as the creator of this program.
I was thrilled to be invited to perform on episode 4. You can watch the full episode here (I’m on at about 23mins). It’s a PG show, so unlike most of my comedy you can actually watch it with your kids!
I’m not sure if the jokes translate too well outside of Australia but I hope so.

Upcoming gigs

Dirty Secrets Comedy 11th Nov
I’ll be popping along to Dirty Secrets at Caz Raitops in Collingwood to try some new material.

Laughs at Lantern 14th Nov
I’m heading to 108 Smith St, Collingwood to be part of a line up at this great new comedy room.

Queer comedy 24th Nov
That’s right. QC is back IRL baybee! This month I have invited my dear friend Jaxson Garni, to be my guest MC. I’ll be there to do a spot and enjoy the night.

Here’s a photo of me and Jaxson looking pretty from our Keep The Change poster!

Screen TalesThis is actually in December but I thought I should let you know about it asap, so you can book your tickets for this entertaining, interactive hands on workshop examining the art and craft of storytelling for screen.Join me and screen writer Darren Markey (The Unlit, Magpie, Click) for this weekend intensive workshop to discover your stories within.

SCREEN TALES is ideal for aspiring storytellers and/or screenwriters – and most importantly – anyone who LOVES FILM.Only 12 spots available, so book yours here

Thank you. Love you. Bye.

October 2021 eNoooze

Ok. So firstly – yes – we won! Melbourne is now the most locked down city in the world (at least in the Covid category).

So I write to you, still locked down, still working, playing, living and doing absolutely everything, on the stolen lands of the Wurundjeri People of the Kulin nation. It’s a privilege to be here and one that I don’t take lightly.

I also know that I am very lucky to have a garden, great walks (along Merri Creek) on my doorstep and a mostly harmonious home. Lockdown isn’t terrible. I’ve just had ENOUGH of it. Thank you.

Exciting News!

Having been a long time supporter, customer and audience member of the Hares and Hyenas bookshop and Harehole performance space, I am thrilled to announce I am now part of the Harehole team.

I am working to produce a series of online events, as well as hosting and supporting some other streamed events, to get us all through lockdown. There is of course the added bonus that, by doing online shows, some of you in other cities, states and countries might be able to join in the fun!This Saturday 9^th October 2021Down the Harehole, Online Variety with Lucy BestBook hereWith guest performers, the hilarious cabaret performer Luke Belle and Cabaret Royalty (in a non-monarchic way), producer, writer, performer and superstar Maude Davey, an audience dance-off, news from Hares & Hyenas, and a chance to hear how local performing artists have been surviving and creating in lockdown. I do hope you can join us.Book here

Fresh(ish) Off the Boat;
Stuck, Foreign and Not Married During a Pandemic.

Whilst I am all those things this show is not about me. I’m popping on to do a spot for the brilliant and hilarious He Huang’s Fringe Show.

This 40-minute virtual comedy show consists of topical jokes and up-to-date shenanigans featuring He Huang and her guest comedians. Every night is different and in English.
Book via Melbourne International Fringe Festival

b’bye for now

Sometimes some of you reply to my eNews and I want you to know that I REALLY appreciate it. I really appreciate that you read it and I am not just shouting into the void!

Love you.
Bye.
x

Keeping on keeping on

What’s next for Disgraceful?

Gigs

Come to a gig and say hi.

Making art

West Side Comedy

SCREEN TALESLove film?Love storytelling?

Upcoming gigs

Upcoming gigs

Exciting News!

Fresh(ish) Off the Boat;Stuck, Foreign and Not Married During a Pandemic.

b’bye for now

SCREEN TALES
Love film?
Love storytelling?

Fresh(ish) Off the Boat;
Stuck, Foreign and Not Married During a Pandemic.