Jake Mace
Dr. Jo Prendergast’s show Cancer and Cartwheels opens at Adelaide Fringe next week. The show delves into her own personal journey leading to a victory over cancer through learning to cartwheel again (her notable cartwheeling ability even at one point being televised for charity fundraising). We caught up with Jo to understand how she found the comedy in recovery, so join us here for a pixelated pint.
You can catch Cancer and Cartwheels – Dr. Jo Prendergast as part of Adelaide Fringe at Monocle at The Howling Owl from Tuesday 11th March to Saturday 15th March at 6:30pm (55mins). Tickets are available through the Adelaide Fringe Box Office.
Jake: Hi Dr. Jo! Your Adelaide Fringe show takes a light-hearted look at your victory over cancer and your cartwheeling ability. Tell us about why you decided to bring your story to the stage.
Jo: Hi Jake! I decided to bring my story to the stage to increase the much-needed representation of cancer survivors’ stories. I wanted to do meaningful comedy, where important messages could be conveyed amongst the laughter!
I wrote most of this show while I was having cancer treatment, and I found finding the humour in my cancer experience was one of the main things that got me through. In fact, the night I found out I had cancer; after sobbing for a few hours, I decided to brainstorm all the silver linings and positive things I could do with having cancer. I actually wrote in my journal “maybe I’ve got a tragic personal story for my next comedy show”. This is how comedians think by the way; we are in an accident and before we’ve even hit the ground we’re thinking “I might be able to use this on stage!”
As a doctor, I could clearly see the gaps in our health system’s ability to help manage the side effects of treatment. I strongly believe it’s important to not only survive cancer, but to survive well. I saw so many cancer patients left with long term disability after treatment, some of which was probably preventable. I went into cancer treatment a patient and came out a patient advocate! For example, during my chemotherapy, I put together a website with research-based evidence on how to reduce chemotherapy side-effects. I decided to share important health messages in my show such as early detection of cancer, menopause symptoms that are rarely talked about and living with the effects of cancer treatment. I also explore broader themes such as toxic positivity, body neutrality and health care inequality. I wanted audiences to be able to both laugh and learn.
Jake: So how did you manage to find the humour in your experience of overcoming Cancer?
Jo: Finding the humour in my cancer experience came remarkably easily during my treatment. I decided from the beginning to start noticing the absurd and funny little moments. For example, thinking the PET scan music should have been the song ‘Radioactive’ rather than Christmas carols (in May – IKR!). Focusing on the music choice made the PET scan much less scary! The night before my surgery I wrote pages of jokes about cancer being an unwanted squatter who had moved into my boob because of housing prices and had then hooked up with one of my lymph nodes. Surgery was eviction day for the unwanted squatter!
With comedy about difficult topics, I think it’s essential to focus on our own personal experiences and not make generalised statements. I take my cancer story in funny, absurd directions via comedic skits and musical numbers and narrate via storytelling, standup comedy and use of images and video clips.
I use metaphors a lot in this show; after surgery I ended up with a perky B cup on the cancer side and on the other side, an age-appropriate semi flaccid D cup. I decided it was like I had a Millennial Boob and a Boomer Boob, so of course that required a skit of Generation Wars taking place in my bra! I noticed words that seemed inappropriate for cancer, such as it being ‘triple positive’, how uplifting is that! I don’t think other illnesses get the ‘triple treatment’ – imagine if you were told you had triple gonorrhoea!
Jake: You’re a psychiatrist and award-winning comedian – tell us a little bit about your creative process and how you manage to juggle both demanding careers?
Jo: I tend to write comedy in bursts when I feel inspired. I find ideas come to me when I’m driving, so I spend a lot of time pulling over and dictating jokes into my phone. It takes me a while to get places, and I’m often late! Once I’ve written a bit, I record it on my phone and listen to it for several days to assess how it sounds. I test new bits at open mics several times and then keep working on the jokes that show potential. A joke is just words until an audience laughs at it!
I wrote this show mainly during my cancer treatment then I spent a year testing the material in comedy clubs. In late 2023, I worked with director Elish Moran on the skits and musical numbers and performed ‘work in progress’ shows with feedback from audiences and ‘outside eyes’. In January 2024 I went on a development mini tour of regional South Island New Zealand before performing it at NZ Comedy Festival where it received great reviews. So, it was a three-year process from starting to write during cancer treatment to taking it to its first major festival!
In terms of juggling medical and performing careers, that has evolved over time. As a teenager I couldn’t decide between medical school and drama school. My parents suggested medical school would be a sensible choice – which was rude, as they had given me way too much attention for my childhood theatrical performances in the lounge!
I keep performing in sketch groups and university reviews while I was studying medicine. When first started working as a doctor, I did improv and musical theatre as a fun hobby on the side. I started doing more screen acting and a comedy producer suggested I try standup comedy when he heard me bantering with the crew on a TV pilot. I said, ‘no way’! For me, standup comedy was like bungy jumping – it looked fun for others, but way too terrifying for me.
In late 2020 I performed my first solo show The Cool Mum and it was a hit and won awards, so I made plans to take it to international festivals. In May 2021 I was diagnosed with breast cancer and I decided to stop my psychiatry follow up practice. Breast cancer gave me a YOLO (You Only Live Once) attitude, so I toured the show and sold out at Adelaide Fringe 2023, then went on to Melbourne Comedy Festival and Edinburgh Fringe in 2024.
I still do a little bit of work as a doctor, in the form of third-party reports for people severely impacted by abuse as a child. I book these reports into weeks when I am at home and not away touring my shows. It feels like I’m a psychiatrist ‘on the side’ nowadays but it seems a good way to avoid the burn-out that plagues so many doctors. I look forward to doing these psychiatry reports and it’s rewarding work doing in depth assessments and treatment plans.
Jake: What are you hoping the audience might take away from the experience, if anything?
Jo: From what previous audiences have said, they are surprised at how much they laughed and learnt! I hope the audience leaves with somewhat sore tummy and facial muscles from laughing so much. Also, that they takeaway some of the key health messages such as check for lumps in boobs and balls and find out your breast density. Hopefully audiences leave with more understanding of the ongoing impact of breast cancer treatment or feeling that their own experiences have been portrayed on stage. Perhaps they may leave with a slightly lighter wallet if they decide to make a donation to the charity I am fundraising for, Breast cancer Network Australia. And perhaps they take away a wish to try cartwheeling (no responsibility taken!)
Jake: Jake: Now we’re in the throes of Adelaide Fringe, what are you most excited for?
Jo: I’m most excited about opening night of my show which has sold out already (grab your tickets soon team!) I’m also looking forward to doing a set at the Rhino Room Late Show on 7 March as that was heaps of fun in 2023. I’ve also packed my snorkel to hit Adelaide’s beautiful beaches!
Jake: Given the themes of Binge Fringe, if your show was a beverage of any kind (alcoholic, non-alcoholic – be as creative as you like!), what would it be and why?
Jo: Ginger and Turmeric Kombucha – people might be wary about trying it but find it’s actually very pleasant and good for your health (but with a few bits floating in it that make you think). P.S even moderate alcohol use is a risk factor for breast cancer, so change to kombucha team!
You can catch Cancer and Cartwheels – Dr. Jo Prendergast as part of Adelaide Fringe at Monocle at The Howling Owl from Tuesday 11th March to Saturday 15th March at 6:30pm (55mins). Tickets are available through the Adelaide Fringe Box Office.
Madeleine Martin
Kat Burton
