HE doesn’t natter about the weather to strangers at bus stops.
Nor does he spout celebrity scandal to passengers on trains.
Canning Vale comic Matt Storer is not captivated by chitchat; he named his new show Small Talk for a reason.
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READ NOW“I see stand-up comedy as the ultimate form of small talk,” the 23-year-old charmer explained.
“You’re put in that awkward situation where you’ve got to have an awkward conversation with the audience for an hour.”
After a stellar 2014, winning WA RAW Comedy and the Funny Faces competition, the singing and piano-playing funny man worked hard at his craft.
In 2015, he performed at Edinburgh Fringe Festival – to great applause – and six months ago made comedy a full-time job.
This month he brings Small Talk to the Perth Comedy Festival, marking his second appearance at the much-loved homegrown event.
“In high school I was no good at sport and my way of staying up there in the hierarchy of the class was to be a clown,” Storer said.
“I guess that’s where I earned my chops.
“I don’t know whether my charm came from that or if I was born with it.”
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Storer said that like an art form, inspiration came easiest when you weren’t looking for it.
“I try and think of things that will help me be in a creative mood – that’s really all you can do,” he said.
“I like to go for a walk or take a shower, which is good for hygiene as well as creativity, apparently.”
The Festival, from April 26 to May 21, includes international favourites David O’Doherty (Ireland), Stephen K Amos (UK), Phill Jupitus (UK) and Paul Foot (UK).
THE ESSENTIALS
What: Small Talk
Where: Regal Chorus Room, Regal Theatre
When: April 29-30
Tickets: www.ticketek.com.au