Austen Tayshus, the acclaimed Australian comedian, is gearing up for another shot at the prestigious Tropfest short-film festival with a new submission. The deadline for entries is just 15 days away, and Tayshus is eager to share his latest work, which he describes as both a reflection on his past and a humorous critique of the festival itself.
Tayshus rose to fame in 1998 when he won Tropfest with a film featuring an hourglass as the signature item. His award-winning entry was a comedic piece about a Jewish man encountering a Nazi in a taxi, which culminated in a twist revealing the protagonist as an Israeli secret service agent. Notably, Tayshus submitted the film under the fictitious name of Laura Feinstein, a decision that led to a memorable moment when festival founder John Polson mistakenly believed he was awarding the first female winner.
This year’s submission is a comedic take on the repercussions of his original win. Tayshus explained, “This one’s about me saying that winning Tropfest was the worst thing. I’ve written the whole thing – we got me in prison – it’s about how my whole life went crazy.” He plans to portray Laura Feinstein once again, donning a wig and poking fun at the very festival that once celebrated him.
While Tayshus believes the film is entertaining, he expresses concern that it may not meet the approval of Tropfest’s judges, stating, “I don’t think John Polson is going to let it through because it’s actually pretty funny, but I don’t think it’ll get through because it’s sort of taking the piss out of Tropfest.”
Despite the challenges of being a performer at nearly 72 years of age, Tayshus remains committed to his craft. He finds joy in his work and believes it offers a necessary distraction from the realities of aging. “I love it so much. I really enjoy it, and it’s good for me. It’s a diversion from getting older,” he remarked.
Recently, Tayshus has been busy touring, flying between cities such as Perth and Launceston for performances. He acknowledges the physical demands of travel but insists that the experience keeps him engaged and vibrant. “Well, I probably am [too old to be flying around], but what else am I gonna do exactly? I enjoy it. It keeps me buoyant and fluent,” he said.
In terms of his creative process, Tayshus opts for spontaneity rather than rehearsed material. “I ad lib. I’ve never written material. I write it when I’m on the stage,” he explained, suggesting that his best ideas come to him in the moment.
Fans of Tayshus can catch him performing live on January 2, 2024, at the Lennox Head Hotel. The venue is offering three double passes to his show, encouraging attendees to enter a draw by emailing the venue with the comedian’s real name by December 26, 2023. Winners will be announced in the entertainment newsletter on the following Saturday.
For more information about Tayshus and his upcoming performances, visit his official website at austentayshus.com.
As he prepares for Tropfest, Tayshus continues to navigate the world of comedy and film with a blend of humor and introspection, reminding audiences that laughter can be found even in the face of life’s challenges.
