Parody (or How I Got Fired From Local Government) [CURRENTLY IN DEVELOPMENT

Created and Performed by Kyle Walmsley

Dramaturgy by Nadia Callan

A comedy show about cancel culture, the art of reflection and local government. 

In 2023 Kyle Walmsley got suspended under investigation for serious and wilful misconduct from his council job for making two tiktoks. Since then he's amassed an online following on Tiktok and had a good think about what he did.

About kyle: 

Melbourne Comedy Festival Raw Comedy National Finalist, trained in clown from that French clown school everyone goes to (Philippe Gaulier), Darwin Fringe Festival & Newcastle Fringe Festival Theatre Award Winner, has a Master’s Degree in Arts & Cultural Management so who knows what he’s doing (sort of), has an audience (60,000 followers on Tiktok).

ABOUT THE SHOW (parody):

1. Setting the Stage

The show starts with a presentation, a TED Talk - setting the tone for both parody and seriousness. Stories shared from local government with primary evidence - screenshots, legal letters, photos and recordings from Kyle’s stringently kept records at the time.

2. The upload incident

A brief history of impersonation, acting, parody and imitation. The audience are taken through a history of parody, reflection and mirrors up to society. They are invited to play a game that Kyle often played when drunk in his 20s at parties which is “do an impershonashun of meee - go on, do it!”. It often ends with kyle getting offended. Kyle recreates the videos that once got him in trouble.

3. Eyes on Me

Kyle talks through his recently amassed online following and the niche world he parodies - luxury bag sales for two stores on the other side of the planet. He discusses some of the behind the scenes drama in trying to tee up a collaboration between the brand and Kyle. Kyle shares some favourite criticism and abuse from Tiktok.

4. Imitation is Flattery

Kyle attempts to find the line of offense and comedy by exploring parody of style and genre of a Fringe Festival. How closely can a show or artist be referenced without causing him to be cancelled? Is the devil in the detail or is the devil on stage right now? Kyle parodies successful hits of the Fringe and shares these with the audience for validation and verification.

5. Closing

Without going the full Hannah Gadsby, Kyle circles round to questioning whether acting is even art, whether any actor should be asked about anything and whether imitation is anything other than a toddler mocking a parent because they haven’t got their way. We end on a dance.