QUEANBEYAN'S comedian-in-training, Andrew Bensley says his dream is to dump the day job and become a professional stand-up comedian. But until then, it's day in, day out working at the movie theatre (soon to be public service) and living at home with his vacuuming-obsessed mum.
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It's not all bad though. This is perfect fodder for his comedy routine and the 27-year-old will need plenty of material as he and 25-year-old brother Danny launch their new show 'Brother From the Same Mother'. They say the show is about "growing up too fast, or not growing up at all".
"Danny owns a house, has a long term girlfriend and pets. A lot of his material is about growing up too fast. He is a bit of a fish out of water, George Costanza-type character, he's an awkward mess," Andrew says.
"Whereas I've just moved back in with mum and my job isn't fantastic. A lot of the humour comes from being brothers that are very similar but living completely different lives."
Andrew says a good sense of humour runs in the family - "we're not overly extroverted but if you're not funny, you won't get a word in," he says.
The brothers mostly perform separately but will team up for the Canberra Comedy Festival in March and a month later at the Melbourne International Comedy Festival.
It's a great opportunity for the local lads who only tried their hand at stand-up comedy less than a year ago.
"We're quite different on stage. I'm probably a little less ... family friendly. Danny is cleaner, more PG while I'm probably a bit weirder and dirtier," Andrew says.
"I can't wait to perform in Melbourne, mostly because our pass allows us to watch the other comedians. But we'll also have the challenge of performing 16 shows [over the whole festival]. It'll give me a chance to work on a whole bunch of new material and hone my skills.
"We've been told Melbourne audiences are much more discerning than Canberra. Local audiences can be too coddling."
The Queanbeyan High School graduates have gone from strength to strength since their first debut at an open mic night in Belconnen last March.
It was after "a few too many pints" that they took to the stage and they've been hooked on stand up ever since.
The Bensleys are warming up for their March and April shows by performing on the first Friday of every month at The Royal Hotel, Queanbeyan. The brothers also produce a "mildly popular"' podcast called A Shot and a Beer, where they interview local and national comedy talent from Danny's lounge room.
Andrew said he is looking forward to unleashing a whole host of new material to bigger audiences later in the year.
"It's an adventure in itself ... two boys from Q-Town heading to the city lights on a quest to make Melburnians laugh,'' he said.
Andrew and Danny Bensley will perform 'Brother From The Same Mother' at the Canberra Comedy Festival on March 18 and 19.
Tickets are available from canberracomedyfestival.com.au. Listen to their podcast, A Shot and A Beer at ashotandabeerpodcast.tumblr.com.