ARK BARKER
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Illawarra Performing Arts Centre
September 10-11
They say you can't rush genius. Arj Barker reckons you can't force comedy either.
"I can't write a new show every year. I need a year or more to go and experience life, have ideas, develop new material. I just sit down and create new jokes like a machine," the American comic says.
"My best stuff comes naturally, from insight and experience, which you can't force."
Barker is undoubtedly one of the most recognisable faces to Australian comedy lovers. Since his first trip from native Los Angeles to Australia many years ago, Barker instantly endeared himself to audiences Down Under and they welcome him back with open arms on his yearly - or more frequent - tours here. From starring on televised comedy gala events, frequent appearances on programs including Spicks And Specks, Good News Week and the Great Comedy Debates, and a starring role on Flight of the Conchords, Barker has cemented himself as one of Australia's favourite funny men. And it has largely been due to old jokes, apparently.
"When I first started touring Australia, I had 10 years of doing comedy in America, so I had a catalogue of material for a while that Australians hadn't heard before," he says.
"But now I have to come up with new stuff all the time."
Every comedian, or even performer for that matter, has their own unique way of preparing or writing. Barker said he can't make the laughs pour out; he just has to wait, and wait, and wait for inspiration to strike.
"I'll try to write regularly, but my best jokes don't come from that. Like last night I was watching Breaking Bad on my laptop, and this line popped into my head," he says.
"I realised I could build a joke around it, but it usually takes time to turn it into a joke."
He gives an example about a bucket list, or "things to do before you die". The basis for a joke would be to take that sentiment literally, with examples like "slapping a grizzly bear in the face".
"Because you'd die right after that," Barker says.
"I had that, but it took a few years to turn that into a joke and find a good place for it in the show."
Barker is back for his yearly Australian tour. After kicking off the massive jaunt last week, Barker will travel non-stop until the end of December, touring the entire country including a host of small regional centres along the way.
While stops like Mt Isa, Kalgoorlie and Alice Springs are not the must-do destinations on the map for a touring artist, Barker said he enjoys playing such places just as much as the big cities.