Rob Carlton, the Virgin in a Knife Fight

What can people expect if they come and see this show?

They’ll definitely see me remembering 8000 words all in exact order while trying to remember where I put my chair! They can expect four true stories, (handsomely told!) about different surprises from different times in my life. When we’re young, it’s the world that surprises us, as we get older, the surprises can come from within, and they’re even more scary! They can also expect the hour to be over before they know it because it’s storytelling, it’s way more relaxing than stand-up comedy – you’ll get the laughs without the anxiety! Mostly though, when they leave, they’ll feel a lot better about the world.

What is the importance of storytelling?

The world is less lonely when we share our stories – we soon discover we’re not the only ones who’ve done something stupid! Also, good stories aren’t sermons! I don’t tell you what to think, I just tell you what happened. That leaves room for listeners to be the judge, to get their own insights, to bring their own intelligence to play. Also, when you listen to other people’s true stories, you become more patient with strangers. You’re reminded a lot of people are doing it tough, and while they may be acting like a dick, they might just be a good person under pressure…They may also be a dick too. Not everyone is a hero.

Many of the stories in Virgin in a Knife Fight explore moments where you were both “the hero and the idiot.” Why do audiences connect so strongly with that kind of honesty?

You get to laugh at me getting myself into some seriously difficult spots, and it’ll remind you when you were just as silly. Loads of people have a crazy backpacker story from their youth! A lot of people have worried they’ve caught a disease, but worried more about HOW they got it, and worried even more about getting caught having it! And it’s fun to remember a time when we weren’t our best selves, because it reminds us we were once silly…and now we’re ‘oh so smart’! It helps us believe the world has a chance!

What do you hope this work contributes to contemporary Australian theatre?

Wow…Big call! I want to remind people that theatre is for everyone! This show isn’t high falutin’ or holier than thou, or anti-woke, or pro-woke, or stoking outrage, or about a political message…but it is thoughtful, and it celebrates things that matter. It’s a celebration of the joy and struggle of being alive, including the good and the bad, the sad and the funny. So, for my contribution to Australian theatre, it’s taking us back to emotions, not causes – stories, not sermons.

What is your connection to the Northern Beaches?

I grew up at Bayview and Avalon and I went to Mona Vale Primary School and Pittwater High. My dad was the local member of parliament there from 1977 to 1994 back when politics was…who am I kidding, it was pretty tough back then too, but I loved my dad! And I started my acting career at the Mona Vale Film and TV acting school on Thursday afternoons when I was just 14. What a great way to meet girls!