Larry Dean

We aall need to accept each other, oth and if you accept Larry Lar Dean, he’ll accept even your wrong opinions

“Melbourne audiences genuinely want to enjoy the show”

SCOTTISH COMEDIAN LARRY Dean has been doing a lot of thinking about acceptance. His new show, Fandan, is entirely devoted to the topic. And he says he’s willing to accept audience reactions, even if they don’t know their funny bones from their elbows. “It’s about acceptance of others, differences of opinions and my own faults,” he says. “I definitely think this is the best show I’ve done. But if people don’t agree, I accept that, no matter how wrong they are.”

But acceptance is a two-way street. “This year’s show is about acceptance, so I do jokes, and people have to accept that, OK?”

Don’t expect New Age self-affirmation mantras, though – Dean is fond of colourful language, and he describes his sense of humour as “silly and self-deprecating”. And of course, there’s one of his favourite kinds of jokes: “any excuse to make a joke at a mate’s expense.”

Dean was voted Scotland’s best comedian in 2013 – a big deal for the home of both Billy Connolly and the Edinburgh Fringe Festival – when he was just 23. He says audiences in different parts of the world can bring a completely different vibe to what is ostensibly the same show. “Audiences can be jaded from watching too much comedy and can greet quips and banter with a kind of, ‘oh, I knew you were going to do one of those kind of jokes …’ rather than laughing,” he says. “Melbourne audience are just a lot of fun, and genuinely want to enjoy the show – which is a lot of pressure as a performer.” Larry Dean: Fandan, ACMI Cube, Federation Square, Flinders St, Melbourne 3000. www.comedyfestival.com.au. $27-$33.50. Mar 29-Apr 22.