If laughter truly is the best medicine, then Rachel Berger could be a pharmacist.
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The comedian is set to give a presentation in Launceston on Tuesday, June 19 on the impact of laughter in everyday work and leisure scenarios.
Entitled ‘laughing 100 times a day is equivalent to 10 minutes of aerobic activity’, the session will explore how humour can help people shift from being reactive to proactive through identifying what it takes to change a situation.
Ms Berger said she recognised early on in her career that comedy was about much more than just making people laugh.
“I have done a lot of work talking about humour as a conduit for facilitating change, or as a way to solve problems in the workplace,” she said.
“If you think about any kind of work environment, it can be difficult for people to discuss issues that are problematic.
“Through doing corporate shows and researching different workplaces, I found out that when people are laughing, they will tell you information they wouldn’t normally share.
“This is because people don’t think and then laugh, they laugh and then think.”
Having performed as part of the Australian stand-up circuit for three decades, Berger has built up a reputation as one of the country’s most adaptive comedic talents.
Throughout her career, she has made contributions as a broadcaster, novelist, columnist and television personality.
Berger has never been one to shy away from controversial topics, with her 2008 monologue Hold the Pickle chronicling her parents' journey from fleeing Nazi-occupied Poland to Israel during World War II, to running a delicatessen in Acland Street, St Kilda.
She has also had many collaborative relationships with a host of community organisations working in the areas of mental health, disability and domestic violence, as well as corporate environments.
Berger said you could get through anything with comedy.
“Mel Brooks once said – if your enemy is laughing, how can he bludgeon you to death,” she said.
“Humour is a very potent force, because people are in a safe space.
“Its something I’m very passionate about, because it works.”
The upcoming session is being organised through the Launceston Freelance Festival, in conjunction with Enterprize startup.
It was Berger’s workshop at the inaugural event which led festival director Sue Bell to set another forum with the comedian.
“We had some great feedback from Rachel’s workshop, but a lot people said they weren’t able to make it,” Ms Bell said.
“I thought this would be a good way to keep the momentum of the Freelance Festival going, while also keeping the community of it together.
“It is the first of the monthly events that will be held under the Freelance Festival banner.”
Berger will appear at Enterprize on Paterson Street at 6pm on Tuesday June 19.
The event is free and open to the public.