Comedian Merrick Watts is happy to work for bacon. Not just any bacon mind you, but Canberra’s own award-winning Pialligo bacon.
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“I’m not kidding,” he says. “There’s always Pialligo bacon in our fridge at home.”
Which makes it a neat coincidence that Canberra’s debut on the Grapes of Mirth circuit will be hosted by Pialligo Estate on December 2.
Watts started up Grapes of Mirth in 2017, selling out shows in South Australia’s McLaren Vale and Barossa Valley Wine regions. This year they’ve brought the comedy festival to the east coast, with a sold out show in Orange on November 17, Canberra, and then an afternoon at Brown Brothers in Milawa in Victoria’s King Valley on December 9.
Watts says there’s something that works about the concept of hosting comedy in a winery.
“How can you not like those two things?” he says.
“The comedians love doing these gigs … everyone is relaxed and there’s nothing rushed about it at all.
“Sometimes when you’re in a theatre, it’s way too formal, at intermission you’re wondering whether to go to the toilet or to get something to drink … at the wineries there’s time for everything.”
The day kicks off at noon and runs for seven hours with six top line comedians on the bill.
As well as Watts, there’s Dave Hughes, Anne Edmonds, Lehmo, Rhys Nicholson, Dilruk Jayasinha and Mel Buttle.
“It’s quite a gala line up for Canberra isn’t it?” Watts says.
“The feedback I’ve had so far is they love doing this gig because they can see the audience is very relaxed, they can see their faces, there’s a nice connection, everyone is in a great mood, it’s brilliant.”
Watts is a big fan of the nation’s capital. He comes here regularly with his young family.
“I love Canberra, there's heaps to do there. My wife loves Canberra too, we often do regular little trips with the kids, there’s lots to do as a family.
“Canberra is a really underestimated place, it’s easy to get around, there's a really good food and wine scene, and beer, I love having a beer at Bentspoke.”
Watts travelled to Canberra earlier in the year looking for a venue, working with tourism authorities, and just “popped into Pialligo” on the way out.
“We didn’t have a meeting lined up or anything, but as soon as we got there we knew it was the right place. They were great people, we had a top lunch, the place was brilliant.”
Tickets are $64.77 and the event is strictly no BYO and it’s an over 18s event. There's an option to add in brunch beforehand for $47.94.
As well as the comedians, there’s a DJ between, before and after, the comedy.
Guests are encouraged to bring their own picnic blankets, chairs or beanbags and settle in for the afternoon.
There’ll be food, beer and wine, and non-alcoholic options available for purchase throughout the day.
Watts encourages people to pace themselves.
“But I’m always much funnier if the audience has had a few drinks. I’d even go as far as saying that I’m particularly boring if you’re sober.”
