The name Chopper is synonymous with two sorts of infamy.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
One, the real-life Mark “Chopper” Read, who is one of modern Australia’s most infamous criminals.
The second is the comedic impersonation of Read, brought to life by Heath Franklin.
This Chopper is one of the country’s most infamous comedians.
Franklin’s Chopper will be paying a visit to Launceston later this month, for a solid night of “Aussie male comedy”.
Joining Chopper on stage will be newly claimed Launcestonian Chris Franklin.
“I’ve met Chris a couple of times,” Chopper’s Franklin said.
“But I don’t think we’ve ever shared the same stage. It’ll be an evening of classic Aussie male comedy.”
Franklin’s Chopper has made a name for himself on stage, after appearing on the The Ronnie Johns Half Hour sketch show, a touch over 10 years ago.
Since then, he’s presented the weather (kind of), taken on Bunnings, and, well, just about everyone.
His repertoire has been a hit with Australians for years, but he has also found an unexpected fan base across the ditch.
Already this year, Chopper has made a handful of trips to New Zealand.
“I really love performing in New Zealand,” Franklin said.
“Australia has some sort of preconceptions about Chopper (but) in New Zealand I’m all the Chopper that they’ve got.
“So whatever he says goes.”
Despite Read’s Chopper’s notoriety in Northern Tasmania, Franklin said his Chopper has had some of his best times in Tasmania, particularly in Launceston.
“It was just a really good gig. It was one of those shows where everything aligns,” Franklin said.
He’s hoping to recreate that magic this month.
The show will be a best-of, featuring the highlights of Chopper’s antics.
“It’ll be all the best bits from the past 12 years, so hopefully there’s a good hour of material in there,” Franklin joked.
“Even when you’ve been doing a show for six or 12 months … there are particular lines or jokes that you look forward to saying, every night.”
Catch Heath Franklin’s Chopper, presented by Fresh Comedy, at Invermay’s Tramsheds Function Centre, on Friday, April 28, from 8pm.
Tickets are on sale now at trybookin.com/OOOO, for $30.
Door sales, if available, will be $35.
Chopper will also appear at The Clubhouse Comedy in Hobart on April 27.
