BALLARAT’S Justin “Hap” Hayward now has another skill to add to his ever-expanding list – that of comedian.
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The Ballarat teacher and musician took out the title as Victoria’s RAW Comedy winner in Melbourne last week.
“I thought it would be a challenge to try and write something different and I’ve never done stand-up comedy before, but I’ve been interested in it for sure,” Hayward said.
“Me and my mates were all into comedy in our teenage years, but then music came along.
“It’s kind of like a mid-life crisis thing, really. I’m trying to relive a part of my youth.”
Although Hayward didn’t initially make it through the Melbourne qualifying final, he was later selected as a wildcard before taking out the state title.
He said his routine was inspired by his first years as a teacher – the mistakes made and lessons learned.
Hayward will now compete in the 2014 RAW Comedy final, set to take place at the Melbourne International Comedy Festival next month.
The ultimate winner will have the chance to compete in So You Think You’re Funny? at this year’s Edinburgh Festival Fringe in August.
Hayward said he would love to win the national final but he wouldn’t get his hopes up.
“If I can just do the material as well as I can then I think I’ve done quite well,” Hayward said.
RAW Comedy – a Melbourne International Comedy Festival initiative – has launched the careers of countless comedians including Chris Lilley, Peter Helliar, Claire Hooper and Ronny Chieng.