Ash Flanders, Performer, Psycho Beach Party
What could be better than a bucket of red wine and a YouTube compilation of fails?
When a theatre production comes with a coarse language and sexual references warning, you can bet your ticket you’re in for one hell of a provocative experience. This is an outcome Melbourne’s Ash Flanders often seeks, choosing roles that stir and challenge his audience. While Brisbane theatre-goers have been privy to Ash’s work in the past, the upcoming Queensland premiere of independent theatre phenomenon Psycho Beach Party is sure to set tongues wagging. Following sold-out shows in Sydney and Melbourne, the critically acclaimed classic is everything its title suggests. Equal parts hilarious and perverse, the show will feature as part of Brisbane Festival in September. Ahead of Ash’s return to the Sunshine State, The Weekend Edition caught up with him to chat inspirations and perfect weekends.
How do you like to start your weekend?
Reading up on all my press while my boyfriend brings me trays of protein shakes.
What’s your favourite thing to do on a Saturday morning?
Like any gay, I worship the holy covenant of brunch.
How do you like to unwind?
What could be better than a bucket of red wine and a YouTube compilation of fails? Oh and Jazmine Sullivan’s cover of ‘Home’. Look it up. She was 11!
What are your essentials for a well-spent weekend?
Gossip, regrets, secrets and lies.
What’s something you’ve been meaning to do on the weekend but haven’t got around to yet?
Trying it sober.
What’s your favourite thing to do on a Sunday evening?
Dodge my boyfriend’s advances.
What are you looking forward to next weekend?
Getting a recurring role on Wentworth. (If I believe it, it will come, right?)
What are you reading at the moment?
A Queer and Pleasant Danger by Kate Bornstein. The true story of a nice Jewish boy who joined the Church of Scientology and left 12 years later to become the lovely lady she is today.
What inspires you?
Anyone who can laugh at themselves. Because, chances are, I’m already laughing at you.
What was your childhood dream?
To own a video store. I drew a picture of my ideal adult self as a child … he looked happy but was obviously eating his feelings.
What has been your greatest achievement?
Not committing matricide. Yet.
What is success to you?
Success was getting asked to do an interview like this – I love these and always read them. So as of now, I have to find a new definition.
What are your words of wisdom?
Stay out of my way.
Only a local would know … I am clearly not a local and must therefore be destroyed.
FAVOURITE WEEKEND SPOT TO:
Perk up … The internet – the best/worst places for everything/nothing of value.
Relax … My couch with the TV on. (WENTWORTH! SRSLY.)
Dine … Sicilian Orange on Greville Street, Prahran.
Indulge … Aesop. Good soap is a luxury to me.
Shop … Martin Fella Vintage, North Melbourne – that’s where I get all my 1970s (women’s) shirts.
Catch-up … Huff Bagelry in Carnegie, Melbourne.
Be inspired … The theatre – and anywhere else there’s genuine good freaks.
