To some, life may have been a box of chocolate,
but for Melbourne comedian, Lauren Bok, life is like a burrito. "We’re
born, we are shoveled into a channel of carbohydrate, and the weight of
life's commitments are thrown on top of us. The Cheese of Career. The
Tomato Salsa of Broken Dreams. The Guacamole of Expectations. The Sour Cream of
Regret," she says.
Which leads us to her festival show,
aptly titled Is That A Burrito In Your Pocket Or Are You Just
Happy You Have A Burrito. This is Bok's solo debut show for the
festival desperate beings a seasoned stand-up and comedy performer for a
number of years. "I finished doing the sketch show Wander Women for the
Melbourne Comedy Festival, and while I had an amazing experience collaborating
and being a sketch performer, I missed stand up. Melbourne Fringe registrations
opened up the week after and it felt like the right time to just go out and do
my own thing, my own way. I felt sick with nerves doing it, but I registered
quickly without telling anyone, then it was done, so I had to just go through
with it!" She explains. "It feels different then other festivals
as it's just me, without any other influences. That makes everything a lot
quieter on the outside, but a lot louder in my head."