Comedy show ‘Chopper’s Republic of Anzacistan’ at the Wollongong Spiegeltent

“Everyone’s got friends and a movie they all watch and quote to each other,” Franklin said.

“I was doing a show and someone said ‘why don’t you do something with that Chopper impersonation you keep annoying us all with at parties’ … other characters have come and gone but Chopper’s just always been there.” 

Twelve years on he thinks the character’s longevity probably stems from people liking Chopper’s direct approach to life – he either loves something or “really f***ing hates it”.

“I think he cleans through the bulls**t in that regard, Franklin said.

“It’s a real kind of no nonsense attitude.”

Franklin has even had great success with his character in New Zealand.

“Kiwis are better at laughing at themselves, they’ve got a pretty dark sense of humour. The other great thing about performing in New Zealand is there’s less of an understanding of who the real Chopper is so there’s more [creative] freedom,” he said.

In Chopper’s Republic of Anzacistan* Chopper is sick of Australia’s revolving door to the Prime Minister’s office and has decided to take over the country himself.

See it at the Wollongong Spiegeltent on Good Friday, April 14. Tickets: www.merrigong.com.au  * Not suitable for children.