Comedian Frankie McNair spills on her worst gigs

Posted on 27 October, 2020

Awkward social situations were probably something we were all happy to miss during lockdown.

But comedian Frankie McNair says she missed performing so much she was even nostalgic for “eating Hungry Jacks in the car at 1 am after bombing so hard I could die.” Each to their own, I guess.

It’s these awkward moments, flat punchlines and irritable audiences that form Frankie’s newest venture—a podcast called Worst Gigs.

For those with a low tolerance for cringe—don’t tune out just yet. There’s more to Worst Gigs than bombing and consolation Maccas.

It’s about the highs that come with the lows, the unexpected moments of audience connection, and the sheer thrill of the unique career that is live performance.

Each week, Frankie sits down with a fellow performer to relive these moments, with hilarious results.

Frankie explains that the idea for Worst Gigs was sparked during lockdown while reminiscing about a particular shocker with comedy partner Miriam Slater, with whom Frankie performs as Sweaty Pits.

“Mim and I had spent four weeks writing, planning, rehearsing and making costumes for an event,” says Frankie.

“By the time the big day came around we were exhausted, but we were ready and excited for our ART (and by extension our souls) to finally be witnessed by the eyes of the audience, the world and God.”

“Knowing we had given it everything we had to get to this moment, we finally took to the stage and…it was shit. There were, like, four people in the audience! And it was still daylight! It was soul-crushing!”

It might seem strange that Frankie and Miriam would reminisce about such a gig. But Frankie says it just made her miss comedy more.

“We laughed. We had too. Because it was so bad. And the fucked up thing? I missed this during lockdown!” says Frankie.

“I missed getting changed in wet toilets, I missed not being able to find my venue on GoogleMaps, I missed the mic cutting out in the middle of a punchline…I missed the bizarre unspoken territory that comes from pursuing a passion in the most absurd of industries!”

“Whether they are a comedian, an actor, a musician, a dancer, a magician (definitely a magician), all performers have these stories. It’s the side of gigging that you don’t see unless you’re doing it. And it’s the side that we talk about on this podcast.”

Frankie’s guests include fellow comedians Maddy Weeks and Chris Ryan, actor Liv Hewson, burlesque performer Jazinda, and artist and drag queen Oliver Levi-Malouf AKA Etcetera Etcetera.

But it’s not just for laughs. Frankie says that Worst Gigs is also a chance to reflect on what can be a lonely persuit.

“More than just getting a peek behind the curtain and a laugh, this podcast makes us realise we aren’t alone in an industry that can sometimes feel very lonely. And hearing stories of resilience gives us hope that in our darkest hour of pursuing a career full of self-doubt and unknowns, we too will be able to push through and get back up again.”

As for would-be performers thinking Worst Gigs might turn them off ever getting on that stage—think again.

“I’ve gotten to speak with a lot of wonderful and creative people,” says Frankie. “Hearing them tell some of their worst gig experiences has often led to the question; if performing can be so heartbreaking, vulnerable, sleep-depriving, financially and emotionally draining then why do we do it?”

“And this is the most basic-ass but sincere conclusion I come back to every time; because we love it, and it’s worth it…and we sometimes get a funny story out of it.”

Worst Gigs with Frankie McNair is available on Spotify, Apple Music and Google Podcasts. Episodes released every Friday. 

Feature image: Emma Holland.