Wollongong funny woman Lily Hensby, 23, is hoping third time lucky will see her through to the next round of RAW Comedy.
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The nation’s biggest open mic comedy competition will sift through local talent at Wollongong Town Hall on February 16 to pluck the best for the state’s semi-finals.
“I think we need a few more chicks out there doing comedy, and I don’t joke about private parts and vaginas and stuff which is something I think we need more of. I think one of my jokes involves a wasp,” Hensby said, who’s first attempt was in 2015.
Comedy is all the performing arts student has ever wanted to do and said just getting through to the next round would be exciting, though she does has some bigger aspirations.
I don’t joke about private parts ... which is something I think we need more of.
- Lily Hensby
“I would love to be on [Saturday Night Live] then go and do funny Hollywood movies, that would be incredible. That is the dream isn’t it,” Hensby said.
“But you’ve got to break Australia first so lets start in Wollo and work our way up.”
Those who make it through to the NSW final on March 21 will compete in the national final during the Melbourne Comedy Festival, the winner securing a spot at the Edinburgh Fringe.
Previous entrants include Chris Lilley, Ronny Chieng, Hannah Gadsby, Peter Heliar and University of Wollongong graduate Sam Taunton.
“I have a degree in media and communications and political science that doesn’t get used,” Taunton said.
The 26-year-old remembers after years of “chickening out” his first ever gig was a RAW Comedy heat in 2014.
“My first gig was so good I crushed it ... I’m going to be next big thing ‘I’m such a natural’, then I did the next [heat] and bombed,” Taunton laughed.
He followed up in 2015 with a more polished routine and made it through to the final, coming third.
While he didn’t win, the experience got the ball rolling and he’s been traveling the country on the comedy circuit ever since.
Taunton will be also be on the Melbourne Comedy Festival Roadshow which comes to Wollongong mid-June (other comedians are yet to be announced).
RAW Comedy: MC’d by Tom Cashman, Wollongong Town Hall, February 16 at 8pm.
To enter, visit: www.comedyfestival.com.au/raw