What’s life really like as a worker on a FIFO (Fly In Fly Out) mining site in Australia?
Where everything’s highly explosive, highly toxic or high visibility right down to the socks, jocks and skid marks.
Where expletives are punctuation, a $50 note is loose change, and the safety regulations are tighter than NASA.
Where dinner is steak, steak, or barbecue steak with salad, there are more utes than trees, and enough dust to keep your nostrils filled from noon till night.
It’s Australia’s Wild West.
Stories adapted from writer and comedian Xavier Toby's debut non-fiction book, ‘Mining My Own Business’. Out through UWA Publishing.
Previously sold out: Melbourne Fringe & Comedy Fest, Sydney Fringe, Adelaide Fringe, New York Fringe, Brisbane Anywhere Theatre Fest, Perth Fringe World.
- Venue Format
- Theatre, Hall, Black Box Venue, Outdoor
- Technical Rating
- Touring Party
- One
- Considerations
The performance is widely appealing as it is written to a narrative structure so contains storytelling elements, but it's also a comedy show, so certainly also is packed with humour. The show does contain some minimal but necessary swearing. It is also extremely easy to stage, and suits a multitude of venues. The performer is additionally able to speak and read at libraries, which includes a Q&A, and similar events have previously proven incredibly successful. Creative writing and stand up comedy workshops are another additional option, and these are again come highly recommended, and can be tailored to any ages or group size.
With a background that includes Bachelor Degrees in Mechanical Engineering and Arts (English), Masters in Creative Writing (High Distinction & Vice Chancellors Award), and years of experience in journalism, engineering, writing, editing and stand-up comedy, Xavier brings a unique skill set and perspective to every creative undertaking.
Over the last decade Xavier's performed on the comedy circuit and at festivals throughout Australia and around the world. At the same time as frequently contributing to several highly regarded newspapers, magazines and websites.
In 2014 UWA Publishing released Xavier’s debut non-fiction comedy book: ‘Mining My Own Business’. The sequel is due out in mid 2015. His first book of fiction ‘Alpha Male’ has just been sent to USA publishers by his literary agent.
During 2014 & 2015 Xavier has continued to perform at comedy clubs and festivals, including a sold out run in New York City. At the same time as continuing to write, edit, and present a variety of talks and workshops.
He currently splits his time between Australia and the USA. “With a warm, laid back style that delivers real insight, Xavier proves it’s possible to deliver an intelligent message at the same time as a constant stream of original punch lines.” Herald Sun, Melbourne, 2014
- Company Website
- xaviertoby.com
Unique Selling Point
It's engaging, hilarious and widely appealing storytelling with a solid narrative structure about an important moment in Australian history.
By focussing on my own personal experience I'm able to provide perspective without judgement, and raise tricky issues without alienating.
Designed to be enjoyed by everyone, the show appeals to those with no knowledge of mining, as well as anyone associated with mining no matter their opinion.
Primarily the point of the performance is to entertain, with the secondary goal to provoke thoughtful discussion on the many topics raised by the piece.
Marketing Materials
Posters, flyers Teachers notes & workshop plans Published articles and opinion pieces Published non-fiction book (with a second available in August 2015) Press photos, press release, book sample Photos from the slides used throughout the show Full show recording (YouTube) Show script
Community Engagement
The show is written and performed in a conversational and jovial tone. It discusses issues that everyone on mining sites and in Australia is well aware of, which are too often pushed aside or lacking in avenues for expression. For example, the show speaks to the alienation suffered by many mining workers, as well as anyone working in a rural area. Additionally, the show speaks to the type of masculine culture that is prevalent at many mining sites, subtly asking several questions of the values and morals contained within. In essence, the show presents a hilarious, fast-paced, and energetic hour of entertainment that hopefully lingers in the minds of the audience, and equips them to better address similar issues in their own lives and the wider community. With a secondary aim of informing about the truth of the FIFO experience, and attempting to open a wider discussion of the many issues raised. This piece is also an attempt to reach out to an audience who so far may've had little interaction with the arts, in particular performance, hopefully building a new audience for future productions. At the same time as offering a work of substance to frequent appreciators of culture.
Comments/Reviews
Riley Stuart
Media Review
★★★★½ Xavier Toby got the crowd involved with plenty of zingers and some great material (Read More)
IAN ROYALL
Media Review
His stories are honest, blue and, according to my industry source, true to the blokey environment of life on the mine site. Much of Toby’s one-hour show is based on the fish-out-of-water premise as a city boy tries to fit in. The base material is solid and it’s good fun. (Read More)
Tim Richards
Media Review
With a laconic Aussie delivery style, Toby describes the torrents of expletives, the flouting of the tight safety regulations, the endless raucous miners' yarns, and the many strange ways in which miners went off the rails. The comedian's style is relaxed and conversational, and this show comes off as an entertaining true story. It's an amusing hour of revelation. (Read More)