‘A Little Bit Of Lip’: Laugh along with Phyllis Foundis, playful provocateur
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Phyllis Foundis is an award-winning TV host, producer, writer and actress who is looking forward to bringing her new show to the stage.
A Little Bit Of Lip is the first one-woman show she has presented in 20 years, and she looks forward to sharing her stories and other delights with Aussie audiences at the Fringe Festival.
With a title of A Little Bit Of Lip what can audiences expect from this show?
“Audiences can expect an emotional rollercoaster that takes in the full gamut of love and life mixed in with a whole lot of Greek-Egyptian sparkly sass,” enthused Foundis. “It’s also got a slight talk show twist so every night a member of the audience will be invited on stage to share their stories with myself and my Lip lounge. The magic that is created when people sit with me on the Lip lounge is golden.”
She explained that she has no idea who the lucky person is that will end up on the Lip lounge during the show, nor what they will be talking about.
“It will depend on the energy of the audience on the night. It is completely unscripted, at least that part of the show, so I’m walking the tightrope, and my audience will walk it with me. Just because it’s going to be an immersive experience it doesn’t mean it’s going to be dangerous and that I’ll paint them in a bad light – that’s not the case at all.”
When asked to describe the style of comedy in this show Foundis, who describes herself as a ‘playful provocateur’, was quick to respond.
“It’s a very naked style. I don’t subscribe to the storytelling of stand-up comedians. My storytelling comes from the heart, and I like to say that my show is a carefully heart-crafted show. My style is emotional, but it has a cheeky undercurrent.”
This show is suitable for audiences over the age of 13. “Topics discussed include love, the loss of love, youth and aging and there are some topics that are quite explicit but not delivered in a gratuitous way. Sacred topics that I do talk about include death, orgasms, raising children and pooh, but it’s all delivered with style.”
When asked whether it’s difficult to make people laugh Foundis was quick to respond. “If you’re coming from a genuine place and I know that my stories have ‘laugh in heart’, is it hard? It just depends on how warm the audience is. I mean I can’t predict the reaction of strangers to my stories and that’s part of the joy and the tightrope that I’m walking.”
Foundis is adamant that the Fringe Festival is the perfect home for her style of show. “They’ve been so supportive and encouraging but what makes this festival so unique is whether you’re super famous or just starting out there’s a place for you – it’s a gift, it really is.”
And what audience should Phyllis Foundis’ A Little Bit Of Lip appeal to?
“A cross section of people – it’s a date night kind of show, it’s for a bunch of chicks who want to come and laugh about vibrators and orgasms (that’s just a tiny part of the show!) to the guys who just want to come along with their friends and have a good time.”
A Little Bit Of Lip by Phyllis Foundis
Sep 13-15, Bondi Pavilion, Yalagang Room
https://sydneyfringe.com/events/a-little-bit-of-lip/
