Rowsthorn to swing into action for pub gig

Jessica Cuthbert talks to comedian, actor and writer Peter Rowsthorn about his Albany show this month.

You're doing a show in Albany soon, have you been down this way before?

Yes, I certainly have.

I was down this way last year at the same venue - it was great, I absolutely love the Earl of Spencer.

I love coming down this way - Denmark, Albany and Walpole is just incredible, it's my favourite part of Western Australia.

Can you tell me about your career as a comedian?

I've been doing this gig since about 1983 and was 20 years old when I first started professionally.

I've done live theatre gigs, worked in TV doing Talkin' 'Bout Your Generation, Hey Hey It's Saturday and The Comedy Company as well as some radio gigs, which has been great fun.

The Kath and Kim shows around 2000 were incredible, and Thank God You're Here. Lately, I've been hosting events and doing stand-up gigs around the place.

I love going on holidays and I've been paying for them by doing some shows along the way - it's been great.

You started this career when you were 20. What was your inspiration?

A friend of mine from school, who was a really daggy guy, got up on stage for these comedy gigs and did impersonations of trams and buses.

It was the daggiest thing, but if he had the guts to get up and do it, I thought, so could I.

He introduced me to all these amazing comedy venues - they were always small but packed and it was always so exciting, fresh, unique and fun.

What are some of your career highlights?

Surviving in the entertainment industry is a pretty big achievement.

I've been doing this gig for over 30 years now.

I love the diversity of my work, from live theatre to TV and stand-up gigs.

A main highlight would be Kath and Kim - it is so well loved and to be a part of such a small but great cast was really amazing.

I was in Paper Planes, a 2014 kids' movie and that turned out to be pretty successful and people liked me in it, which was great.

What do you enjoy about the job?

It's a self-made business. I'm glad I've pushed myself along and had faith in my ability to keep on going … I love being on stage.

There are times in my head where I go: "OMG, I'm in the middle of some Wheatbelt town telling jokes - what am I doing?".

But every time I finish a show, I love it and remember why I do it.

There are mothers out there that love Kath and Kim and their daughters will run up to me and say: "My mother loves you", which is incredible.

What can we expect to see at your show?

Absolutely anything!

There will be some new bits and some old bits, a lot of improvisations and storytelling. There will be games and giveaways.

I'll be heading down to Inky Finks to pick up some prizes.

It will be a really loose night but a lot of fun.

The night will be interactive and engaging and, above all, hilarious.

I would say 15-plus for age as it's in a pub and if people bring their kids they will hear an F-bomb, but be sure to come down for a great night.

Peter Rowsthorn, Earl of Spencer, 8pm, January 23. Tickets $30.