My Name is Lou with Lou Wall

In this episode Bronte Charlotte chats to Lou Wall, multi-award winning comedian, composer and writer. They are the winner of Melbourne Fringe’s Best Cabaret 2020, best Emerging Ensemble 2019, and Best Emerging Artist 2018, and have several nominations to their name. We chat about the power of comedy and Lou’s experience transitioning stage to screen since the Coronavirus impacted theatres and the creative arts. We talk a lot about mental health and the pressure of being funny, continuing to fuel yourself with those things that bring you joy while also taking time to distance yourself from the work. We chat about actively making the work that you want to see, creating roles for yourself, and working with creative partners.

During this episode we discuss:

• [02:56] Our collective wellbeing at times of crisis, Lou discovering their comedic talent at a workshop in year 12, having the confidence to create their own shows and not overthinking things.
• [09:13] Lousical the Musical, adapting to the screen for Melbourne Fringe Festival during Melbourne’s Stage 4 lockdown, and the liberation from the confinements of stage.
• [12:44] Working and devising with Jean Tong and why the two of them are such incredible creative partners.
• [14:08] Lou’s two goals in every piece they make, keeping a little of yourself for yourself, allowing mental health content to be real and normal and accessible, not over exaggerated and dramatic.
• [17:57] Using comedy as a tool to connect, deal with tragedy, and release stress and pain.
• [19:35] Making the work that you want to see, funding your own shows, how social media can impact your perceptions of your success, ‘social media depression’ and becoming addicted to the screen.
• [26:19] Being limitless in what you create, the excitement of collaborating with other artists, and the freedom of making an online show without having to perform every night.
• [30:01] Perfectionism and how it manifests differently for different people, still writing a show right up until walking on stage, setting goals to challenge your creative habits.
• [34:23] Dealing with the level of personal criticism you receive on the spot as a performer, feeling low being completely okay, and recognising that it’s not healthy to be constantly evaluated.
• [36:21] Distancing yourself from the work, fueling yourself with stuff that makes you excited, finding what you are truly interested in and not allowing others to make that decision for you.
• [38:54] Being able to recognise and appreciate your personal efforts and successes, working with Liam McGuire on his show Wrath, reflecting on how you run spaces and experiencing other rooms.

Head over to the @chats.w.creatives instagram page to stay up to date with episodes and guests we have coming up!

Follow our host Bronte Charlotte on Instagram @bronteandsunshine

Follow this week's guest Lou Wall on Instagram @thelouwall