Gay comic Toby Sullivan gives KAYE SERA all the goss on his new show Not Quite Right.

What's on your mind for this show?
It's a stand-up comedy show about me being stuck in Sydney for a day with nothing to do but wander around. The thing about Sydney is that is incredibly balkanised - each suburb is really tribal. You can buy street directories in Sydney that just put a picture of a skull and cross-bones where Parramatta should be.

We know you from various other gigs including Midsumma, Talking Poofy - what are your thoughts on using gay material in your routine?
There's a fair bit of gay in this show. Sydney is, after all, the Great Aussie Gaytopia and I send up that idea that it's the representative capital of us all. I think Fishwyck - that suburb in Canberra where you go to buy all the fireworks and porn - might speak to me more than Taylor's Square!

What pisses you off about comedians in general?
Well, if they're not as good as me, they're hacks. And if they're better than me, they're competition. I hate that there are not more comedians of exactly the same proficiency as me.

Many comedians went into crisis with the demise of the Howard government - where does your humour stand on the political spectrum?
My favourite politician ever is Roberto Canessa, who ran for the presidency of Uruguay, and was one of those kids who survived that plane crash in the Andes by eating each other. "Mister Canessa, what's your policy on tax?" "Eat your mates." "Education?" "Eat your dumb mates." "Health?" "Eat your fat mates."

What else do bnews readers need to know to get them to come along?
If you feel like some smart jokes about some of the gay tribes in Sydney, and will not burst into a spontaneous Melbourne-pride-based rash, you could a) stand next to David Marr at the next Mardi Gras parade, or b) come down to Trades Hall and see my show. No impressions, all welcome, may contain traces of an embarrassing story about me at underwear night at the Laird.

Not Quite Right
Trades Hall
Corner Victoria and Lygon Streets Carlton
July 1 - 12
Details: 9650 5699