One of the country’s ‘most happening’ comedic performers is about to ‘unleash the beast’, their brand new cabaret styled stage-show at this years Melbourne International Comedy Festival.
AmaJayus is the quasi-musical, comedic cabaret special of the decade coming from eponymous artist Jay Wymarra.
Pic: AmaJayus
The son of a former Foreign Affairs diplomat, Jay Wymarra was exposed to many aspects of Australian and international cultures from a young age, and Jay is a staunch activist for the rights of people across all spectrums.
Built atop of the decaying remains of the play, AmaJayus follows the inner-life, conflicts, journey, and fashion choices of a young queer black boy who refuses the boxes society wishes him to occupy.
Entirely terrifying and wonderful, AmaJayus traverses Jay’s evolved identity from comedian to political figure, musical nerd to pansexual lunatic.
“I am totally excited to unleash AmaJayus onto suspecting audiences! I pay homage to the murky past, gaze into an unknown future, and lead the crowd into a playfully dark and fabulous space”, states Jay.
Part comedy, part ghost story, AmaJayus is a queer-feral rock-opera about self-acceptance and finding where you fit, all told out of order by a true First Nations renaissance man.
Jay is a formidable presence on any stage, whether hosting, MCing, performing stand-up comedy, acting or gracing the stage as his fabulous drag alter-ego, “Rhianna Mation”.
His unique voice in the entertainment space has seen him make appearances in ABC’s ‘Rosehaven’, writing and performing sketches for Get Up!, and touring Edinburgh Fringe Festival with the Aboriginal Comedy All Stars.
Tracing back to the Saibai Koedal people of Saibai Island, along with the Meriam people of Murray Island and the Gudang/Yadaykenu people of Cape York, Pajinka, and Somerset, Jay’s cultural roots inform his very sharp contemporary lens.
“He’s the cocky upstart child of Indigenous comedy that you wouldn’t let play with matches!” – Reuben Kaye.
AmaJayus will premier in 2024 during MICF:
Monday 8th April to Sunday 21st April 2024
Trades Hall – Archive Room