WHEN Aussie comedy stalwarts Denise Scott and Judith Lucy brainstormed material for their latest show, they had no problem developing a theme.
Disappointment was an all-too familiar topic for the queens of self-deprecation.
“Judith and I didn’t have much going on and we both had major projects – which we had been developing – rejected, so hence we were disappointed and frankly we had to make some money,” Scott said.
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READ NOW“We really love working together and the subject matter was all there, ready to go.”
Sharing a penchant for sarcasm and glorious self-loathing, Scott and Lucy have undeniable chemistry.
Lesser known is their fascinating friendship cemented by tragedy.
“Judith had extraordinary success really early on and I plodded away but we still did bits and pieces together and then in 1999 we did our first show with another comedian, Lynda Gibson,” Scott said.
“In 2003 the three of us were doing another show and Lynda got the prognosis of terminal cancer and we kept going with the show because Lynda wanted to.
“Judith and I think that that has a lot to do with why we work so well together, because doing that show when Lynda was so ill really changed everything – the show was important but there was a whole lot more that was happening that was more important.
“Judith and I really bonded during that time and since then we have done two more shows together.”
The duo has enjoyed a great response – especially from women – to Disappointments, with audience members often cheering and gasping loudly throughout the show.
“It’s almost like a pantomime; we never expected that, that’s not how we wrote it,” Scott said.
“We want to make our audience feel better about themselves and be glad that they’re not us.
“It’s great – we wouldn’t want the show to actually be a disappointment.”
One thing that is definitely not a disappointment is Scott’s newfound TV career.
“I’m really grateful because I’d always fancied a career in television but it never really happened,” Scott said.
“I’d had bits and pieces in comedy shows over the years but it wasn’t until Winners & Losers came along – I was 56 years old – when I got my first TV acting gig.
“In House Husbands I have a relatively small role but it’s good because I just get to breeze in, do my bit and head off home.”
The ESSENTIALS
What: Disappointments
When: March 25
Where: Perth Concert Hall
Tickets: www.perthconcerthall.com.au