Greg Fleet might not have the best history with Launceston.
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The veteran (in the experienced, not old way) of the Australian comedy scene recalled his appearance at the iconic Festivale, some 20-odd years ago.
“No one really told me what the event was like, I just went up and did my usual stand-up set,” Fleet said.
“The next day, the paper had a report about this hideous, disgusting comedian who was swearing everywhere.
“I was just doing my normal stuff. No one said to me that it was a family-friendly event so, you know, take it easy.”
The paper had a report about this hideous, disgusting comedian who was swearing everywhere. I was just doing my normal stuff.
- Greg Fleet
He will have the chance to atone for his sins with a weekend of shows in Launceston on the horizon.
Fleet is the January headline act for Fresh Comedy on Friday night, and will perform at The Esk Beerfest on Saturday.
It’s a chance for audiences to be the first taste-testers of Fleet’s new material.
He’s currently putting the finishing touches on his shows for comedy festival season, including the Melbourne International Comedy Festival.
As well as comedy, Fleet is an actor (he play Daphne’s murderer on Neighbours), author, playwright, and radio host.
In 2016, he bared his soul to the country though publishing his autobiography, These Things Happen, which detailed his 30-year heroin addiction.
But he spent a lot of the year doing something surprising.
“I’ve spent much of this year watching an insane amount of documentaries. Particularly sports documentaries,” he said.
“I don’t know what it is about sport, there’s something about it.
“I wouldn’t call myself a massive sports fan, but I’m a massive sports documentary fan.”
See Fleet at Fresh Comedy on Friday, January 13, from 8pm, with Brent Watkinson and Andrew Starry, at the Royal Oak Hotel.
Tickets are $20 for reserved seating, and $15 general admission, available through Trybooking.com.
Fleet will perform at The Esk Beerfest on Saturday, January 14, at 2.45pm and 4.30pm on the Fresh Comedy stage.
Saturday tickets for the event are $25, available from esk.beerfestivals.com.au