Blokey humour spruced up

Chris Franklin has only worn a suit twice — once when he appeared in court, and the other time to a funeral. And although there’s no chance the Tasmania-based comedian will frock up when he performs at the Bootenal Family Tavern next Tuesday, Franklin said he would “dress up” his performance — for numerous reasons. Bootenal publican Roxanne Grant is a sister of Dave Grant, a leading Eastern States comedian who died of pancreatic cancer a decade ago. “Dave was first my mentor and later my business partner; I wore a suit to his farewell,” Franklin, pictured, said. “This is my third and final show at the Boot, so I want to make it a winner.” It will be the first of three or four comedy shows Franklin will do in WA. “The missus and I are on our way to Broome for our daughter’s 30th birthday,” he said. “I thought I would do a few gigs to try and pay for the trip. “We will stop in Geraldton, Coral Bay, Exmouth and Port Hedland. So instead of flying directly to Broome, we will fly to Perth and drive up. “We are calling the Boot gig The Last Hoorah — because that’s exactly what it is.” Described as an Aussie bloke, from his flannelette shirt to his double-pluggers, Franklin has a Hoganesque style of comedy, specialising in the delicate issues of beer, sport and relationships. Bloke, his first CD single of 20 years ago, topped the Australian charts with platinum sales, while he collaborated with 23 national artists in April when he produced a COVID-influenced single, titled Stay the F... at Home.