Zoë Coombs Marr is an award winning stand up comedian, playwright and “awkward Sapphic high priestess of cool”.

She returns to the Tuxedo Cat in Melbourne with the incredible stand up drag parody, “Dave”.

We were lucky to not only interview the incredibly talented Zoë, but the star himself, Dave, where we talk about girlfriend’s hair clippings, growing up queer and why we should rename the magazine “Rabbits on the Loose”.

Zoë, you are a self described writer, comedian and “scrappy upstart”. What was it in particular that drew you into the world of theatrical comedy?

Zoë: I think attention seeking? I first did stand up when I was about 15, and then I decided I wanted to be an actor, but that’s all a bit earnest, and the roles for women are mostly pretty sappy. So I just started to do my own thing, which it turns out, is pretty weird.

In your show, Dave, for want of a better expression you’re wearing the pants. What type of preparation is required for the show as a performer?

Z: A pretty heavy-duty chest binder, a lot of spirit gum and a bag of my girlfriend’s hair clippings. The character comes terrifyingly easily. He’s always lurking just under the surface.

D: Yeah, like scabies.

What was the main source of inspiration for Dave?

D: I’m inspired by the footy show. My peers: the other Daves. And all the great Australian comics, Hughesy, Wil Anderson, Rodney Rude, you know, larrikins, blokes.

You’ve contemplated the big issues, such as the existence of pizza. What other types of foods leave you mystified?

D: Quinoa, kale, tofu, all that hipster lesbian food- no offense, but what even is it!? Like, are you rabbits? They should call this magazine Rabbits on the Loose. Am I right?!

Z: I’m so sorry, I told him not to say that.

Zoe and Dave, after your show was so well received at the Melbourne International Comedy Festival, you’re bringing it back to the Tuxedo Cat.  Are there any plans to take the show nationwide?

D: Look, like I say, my mates have been saying for years that I’m the funniest fucker in the group, and I think it’s probably pretty unfair for the rest of Australia to miss out on that. Yep, I think, give the people what they want, right? OZZIE OZZIE OZZIE!

Zoe, your work has mainly been focused around your queer identity. How central has your sexual identity been in your work and is this something we can continue to expect in the future? 

Z: Yeah, it’s part of who I am-

D: She won’t shut up about it

Z: – and as a young person, my queer identity was an important thing for me to express and focus on in my work. But as I get older, it becomes more of a lens-

D: you mean a lez

Z: a LENS, for me to look at other things through

D: yeah? Like what things are you looking at THROUGH A LEZ?

Z: I’m ignoring you now.

D: uh…

Z: Anyway, I think as queer people we have a different perspective, a different way of looking at the world. Nothing’s a given, because we always have to question where we fit into it, and what that means is–

D: *gives Zoe a wet willy*

Z: DAAAAVE!!!!