Kurt Sterling is a Sydney-based stand-up comedian and 2024 Raw Comedy NSW state finalist. Fresh from a sold-out show at the Adelaide Fringe Festival, Kurt will be making his debut at the Edinburgh Fringe 2024 with his show ‘Corporate Chronicles’. The show is a sharply observed, hilariously relatable parody of office culture and corporate life.
Blazing Minds caught up with Kurt for a chat…
Seeing the humour in office life often seems ESSENTIAL to surviving on the corporate treadmill, what’s the silliest corporate saying you’ve ever heard used?
Most of it is pretty silly. I think the issue is a lot of people don’t really know what they’re doing so they use corporate jargon to cover up the fact that they have no idea.
I remember one instance of sitting in a meeting where buzzwords were being thrown back and forth, and my manager motioned to me that I should be taking notes. My response: “I’ll start taking notes when someone says something of substance.”
What’s the worst job you’ve ever had?
Working in an office is mentally painful, but there are definitely worse jobs. When I was 18 I worked in a factory that made chairs, cutting steel all day. My hands would bleed, and I’d get dizzy from the fumes of the chemicals they were using. Remembering this actually makes the office look like a pretty great place to work!
When was the last time you ‘pretended to be professional’?
It’s been a while! Quite early on in my career, I made a conscious choice that I was going to be myself in the office. Some people love it, and some people hate it. I do remember quite early on having to pretend to keep it together after a big night of team drinks. One particular morning I was interviewing the CRO of a big Australian bank at 9 am and was in the bathroom using eye drops, trying not to look hungover at 8:55 am.
Which comedians or comedy TV shows have influenced you over the years?
The comedy I love is where the comedian trolls people who take themselves too seriously and I’ve been doing some of this type of content myself on social media. Sacha Baron Cohen and Eric Andre are elite at this, I really enjoy Nelk and Danny Mullen as more recent examples on YouTube.
You are based in Australia; will this be your first trip to Scotland/Edinburgh?
My first time ever! Scotland has always been on my bucket list. I’m really excited to finally make it and explore a country with such a rich culture and history.
What would you like to see more of at comedy shows…and what would you like to see less of?
I get bored during a vanilla stand-up show. I love seeing people try something different. The beauty of the Fringe festival is you get to see all types of shows and people taking risks. Sometimes it works and sometimes it doesn’t, but either way the audience goes home having expanded their mind.
What’s your message to comedy fans coming to Ed Fringe?
Thanks for coming! It is a huge leap for many artists and your patronage means more to them than you realise. I’m really looking forward to the month and getting out and meeting and connecting with as many fans as possible.
Catch Kurt Sterling’s show at Ed Fringe on 1st – 25th August (excludes 12th August) at 8 pm, The Common Room, Cabaret Voltaire (part of Just The Tonic). Tickets are available here.
Karen Woodham is the founder and owner of the Blazing Minds. She is also a Cinema reviewer and works with RealD 3D reviewing the latest 3D releases and IMAX, she has also had several articles published in various publications including the first edition of SFW Magazine. In 2015 she became an Award Winning Blogger and also has her website listed as one of the UK’s Top 10 Film Blogs.
