June 2023
Having moved to London in 2022, Aussie actor and writer Glenn Wallis is set to make his Camden Fringe debut this August with “I Start Things But Don’t Fin”. The solo musical comedy show is set to play at The Museum Of Comedy on the 12th and 26th August, looking at perfectionism, mental health and the purpose of being an artist. Here, Wallis chats about music, influences and what led him to create such an ambitious show…
So how did this production come to be? Talk me through it.
I Start Things But Don’t Fin started off as a way for me to process relocating to London from Australia. I moved for acting and within the first few months was contacted by my old high school teacher asking me whether I’d be interested in talking to the graduating students. It spiked my imposter syndrome as I wasn’t at a stage of my career where I’d have been comfortable imparting words of wisdom upon anyone.
With that in mind, I imagined what it’d be like actually going through with it, except as a musician instead of an actor. Something about trying to justify an artistic lifestyle to a bunch of prospective university students seemed like an anxiety-inducing experience for me, seeing how I’m still figuring it out!
And what would you say ultimately drives Fin as the central character?
Fin is incredibly confused about how to breakthrough in the music industry and acts out of fear that he hasn’t made it big time yet. He finds comfort in talking to his hand puppet, which acts as a fairly obvious representation of his inner psyche. But ultimately, he wants to be someone… he just doesn’t quite know who yet.
How would you describe the style of I Start Things But Don’t Fin? Can we expect music, physical theatre, circus or abstract performance art at the helm?
There’s musical comedy, ventriloquism and physical theatre however, I still maintain that it is a play. I’ve written in lots of wink-wink, nudge-nudge moments which are meta so it is genre-bending in that sense.
Is there a specific USP that you think audiences will love when it comes to this show?
The musical element of the show is pretty ambitious I have to say. I’ll be playing guitar, piano and the harp and have created a pretty comprehensive soundtrack, with a lot of audio cues (my technician has her work cut out for her). It’s been quite the workload to say the least but I’m excited for audiences to get to hear it.
Who are you hoping will see I Start Things But Don’t Fin and what are you hoping they’ll take away with them?
I would love for fans of musical comedy to see the show. I draw so much inspiration from icons like Tim Minchin, Flight of the Conchords and Tenacious D. The show is a pretty honest reflection of my artistic struggle but masked behind the eccentricity of the style. In terms of the point of it all, I think the play’s main message is, it’s okay if you don’t have it figured out… you still have worth.
So, quick-fire time! Ready? Good!
Your first experience of theatre/ live performance?
When I was four I played one of Lord Farquaad’s guards that Shrek beats up. Best role ever.
Brilliant. Dream role or venue to play?
I’m 6ft 5 so I think I’d play a pretty mean Miss Trunchbull.
Top choice! Your own tastes and influences when it comes to theatre/ live work?
Phoebe Waller-Bridge. My copy of the stage version of Fleabag has been my bible for this project.
And finally, what would your advice be to up and coming creatives?
Write. It’s the most empowering thing you can do to gain a sense of autonomy in your career.
So there you have it! You can catch Glenn Wallis’ “I Start Things But Don’t Fin” at The Museum Of Comedy on the 12th and 26th August 2023 – more information and tickets can be found here.
Image credits: cover – Jordan Mittoo; show poster – Lauren Thomas
Always Time For Theatre 
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