IS THAT YOUR MATE?
HE’S THE CHARMING Aussie bloke who tours the world doing stand-up about being an outsider and the weirdness of our culture. Monty Franklin is back on the road on one of his biggest world tours yet, with a brand-new show that promises that trademark observational wit he’s known for.
WORDS RITA HORANYI
If you haven’t seen him on Netflix or performing sold out shows at Melbourne International Comedy Festival, then you might have seen Franklin online. His hilarious videos have racked up over a billion views, explaining some of the odder parts of Aussie culture. Like, why Australians sound like birds or the different levels of bogan.
For Franklin, showcasing what makes Australia great is something he loves.
“I’m a very patriotic Australian, so I love showing how fun and great we are. We have a fantastically unique culture in Australia, that we aren’t even aware is very interesting to people outside of it. Subtle things like calling it fairy floss or calling a traffic cone a witches hat seems very normal to us, but it’s hilarious to those outside of Australia.”
His show, Is That Your Mate, continues to explore his fascination with cultural differences and offers an unflinching look at his life over the past year, covering everything from touring 80 cities to going through a divorce and turning 40. But despite the seriousness of some of the topics, and of the state of the world more generally, the show has a light touch.
“The world seems like a very heated and opinionated place right now, but as one of my comedic heroes [Steve Martin] said, ‘silly always wins’ … So, if you want a break from the seriousness of life, this show is a silly escape from just that.”
Expect a bit of lively crowd interaction and plenty of storytelling, as Franklin offers up his own pain so you can forget about your own.
When he’s not entertaining audiences with his stand-up and videos, Franklin’s busy on one of his many side hustles, which can range from producing short films to hosting radio and TV shows, and appearing on podcasts. One of the more exciting projects he has in the pipeline is a feature film he co-wrote with comedy legends Rob Schneider and John Cleese, who are set to star in the film alongside Franklin.
“The Great Emu War is a true story that happened in 1932, when the Australian Government went to war with the Emus and lost. It’s fun and silly, but at its heart, it’s a love letter to Australia and showcases its beauty to the rest of the world through comedy.”
With a ripping yarn and talent like that, the film, due to be released in 2027, is pegged to be an Aussie classic.
Despite his extensive touring, it’s been about 15 years since Franklin last made it to the country’s northernmost capital, and he's keen to meet a few more locals. Given his capacity for astute observations, who knows what new comedic material these encounters could inspire!
Monty Franklin - Is That Your Mate
WHEN SAT 29 NOV | 7.30PM
AT AANT CENTRE
COST $55
INFO yourcentre.com.au
