Exclusive Interview with Austrian Comedian Alice Frick
I recently had the privilege and the pleasure to interview Austrian comedian and actress Alice Frick. The funny performer is not only a rising comedy star in Austria and Germany. As of recently, she’s also standing in the spotlight on Hollywood’s big comedy stages. Reasons enough for me to ask her about her work on 2 continents. The full interview (2 videos on YouTube’s Indie Entertainment TV) is available to watch online - however, for those who prefer the written word, here are some of Alice’s highly entertaining answers :
Alice Frick, Photo: Christian Modler
Nina Grenningloh: Would you like to introduce yourself a little bit?
Alice Frick: I’m from Austria. So, I’m from the same country as Arnold Schwarzenegger. I started acting in 2002, and then I did a lot of Improv. At one point, I went to a comedy competition in Austria and won that competition. At that time, I just had a set of 10 minutes, and then they asked me: Do you have a One Woman Show? And I said: Yes, yes, of course! [laughs] From then it started. After two months, I had my One Woman Show. I performed it in Austria, and I also played in Germany. And then I thought: Okay, I go to Los Angeles now. I need more excitement!
NG: Obviously, the culture is different here in Los Angeles than in Austria or Germany. What was the most shocking difference that you found when you arrived here in L.A.?
AF: The seven lanes on the freeway were a bit scary at the beginning! In Austria, we only have one or two lanes. And driving in L.A. is very hard. It took me a long time to get used to. And in general, everything here is so big that if you want to see a friend you just don’t walk to them but you have to drive your car for one hour. The weather in L.A. is very different but I like that. I am a sunny person. I need sun!
NG: What’s the difference between standup comedy here in L.A. and in Austria or Germany?
AF: Well, I think in Germany I have more words to pick from which makes my work easier here because I don’t speak English that well. [laughs] I have my pot of English words and write my jokes with those words. But in German I can say: Do I use walk or run? And I have many more words to think about. Here, it’s easier because I don’t have to think that much. [laughs] And in the first weeks I had so many things that happened to me and so many misunderstandings…for example, I had so many parking problems because I didn’t know that you aren’t allowed to park in the opposite direction of traffic, and I didn’t read all the signs so I got many parking tickets - and in some way all these experiences are good for comedy. [laughs] Perhaps, I will earn the money with performing to pay all my parking tickets back.
Alice Frick, Photo: Christian Modler
NG: In terms of the comedy stage, is there a difference in how the audience reacts in Europe and here in the US?
AF: In Austria, we do have young people but not as many as here. So in general, the audience is older and they are more reserved in their response whereas her in L.A. it’s party when you’re on stage. But I love both audiences. In Austria, they come up to me after the show and tell me Thank you! That was great!. But I also like the partying of the audience in L.A. and that they are very loud.
NG: You’re playing the biggest comedy clubs in Los Angeles, like The Comedy Store. Are you getting nervous when you get on stage thinking of all the celebrity comedians like Jim Carrey or Whoopi Goldberg who once stood on that very stage before you?
AF: It’s really amazing that I’m performing there, and I love it. I love the club, it’s really a cool location. But nervous? I’m always nervous no matter where I’m playing! I think if I were to perform my comedy on the street I would get so freaked out before. But that’s my adrenaline. That’s why I don’t need drugs - I just go on stage. [laughs]
NG: I read on your website that one of the misunderstandings that you face here in the US is that when you introduce yourself on stage as a comedian from Austria, people think that you’re a Canadian from Australia. And I thought that was very funny…
AF: Yes, many people think that I’m from Australia when I say I’m from Austria. It’s probably because of my accent. And then they start talking to me like I understand everything. I have to stop them then and say: Wait a minute! From the beginning, please! I’m from AUSTRIA. [laughs]
NG: Is it hard for you when you’re on stage in L.A. in terms of humor. Do people know anything about Austria here in the US? Do they understand your humor?
AF: What really helps is Arnold Schwarzenegger. So they audience goes: Oh, you’re from the same country as Arnold! [laughs] We grew up in Austria with American sitcoms, so I think my humor is the same kind of humor. Usually in Austria, you have a One Man Show or a One Woman Show which is more cabaret-like. When I started, however, I always did standup. It was just me and my stories on a stage - and my whole One Woman Show is like that. My humor is a mixture of American and Austrian humor. I took some comedy classes here in L.A., and I think the dynamic in my show is probably more American. But in general it’s not such a big cultural difference.
NG: But you’re not only doing standup. You’re also working as an actress. Can you tell us a little more about your other projects?
AF: Yes, I did some movies in Austria and some short movies in the US, too. In the US, I played in English which was fun because I always play the crying Austrian woman. [laughs] I love acting, too, because my passion is storytelling. I’m currently working on a theater project in Austria. And eventually, I also want to perform it here. It’s a drama, very sad and the opposite of comedy.
NG: Is there any advice that you could give to young artists from Austria or Germany who want to work in Hollywood and make it on both sides of the Atlantic?
AF: Before I came here, my motto was “Just jump and the net will appear.” And that’s what I’m always doing. I just jump and sometimes the net appears and sometimes it’s not there. But in the end it always works out. So if you want something really bad, just go for it! And when I got here, i didn’t have a car or a place to live but I had my comedy program and signed up with a comedy class. Today, I still meet the people who were in my comedy class and we do shows together which is great. So I it’s very good to have connections and luckily, it’s easy to make connections in Hollywood. Of course, you will make a lot of “fake” connections…I received so many offers to be in someone’s movie which never happened. [laughs]
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