Luke Bolland is a name that resonates with anyone who has been a part of the Perth comedy scene over the last 15 years. With a career that boasts multiple awards—including the Fringe World Best Overall Comedy Award and the Comedy Lounge Funny Faces title—and international performances spanning Europe, America, and Canada, Bolland has established himself as a standout in the world of stand-up comedy. Now, he’s bringing his acclaimed show Dodged a Bullet to Grassroots Comedy’s A Festival in a Festival for one night only.
On Dodged a Bullet
Dodged a Bullet is a show inspired by life’s worst romantic mishaps and the triumph of love. “I think everyone has had bad relationships at some stage in life,” Bolland shares. “My previous relationships were next-level bad, so there is a certain curiosity that you can’t help but want to hear someone else’s horror stories of their worst exes.”
Returning to the show after its initial award-winning run has been a nostalgic journey for Bolland. “It’s been really fun getting to revisit this show,” he says. “I worked so hard on writing it, and it was the first show I toured nationally, so it’s got a very special place in my heart.” Described as “a love letter to my wife” and “an inspirational story of picking up the pieces of your broken heart,” the show blends heartfelt storytelling with laugh-out-loud comedy that audiences adore.
A Comedy Veteran’s Journey
With over 15 years in the industry, Bolland has seen the comedy world evolve and has adapted his craft along the way. “I try to keep writing and keeping things fresh,” he says. “I hold a Fringe World record for most consecutive years performing a new hour of comedy. This year was my 11th straight year, and it’s always hard work but so rewarding to see familiar faces come back each year eager to check out my new jokes.”
For Bolland, accolades like the Fringe World award are more than just trophies—they’re reminders of his hard work and a calling card when performing internationally. “When you are a Perth-based comedian performing in places like Sydney, Las Vegas, or New York, people are like, ‘Who the hell are you?’ So it’s nice to be able to say, ‘I am a good comedian; look, I have real credentials!’”
Performing overseas has also taught him valuable lessons. “In America and Canada, I have to slow my speech so they can understand me through my Aussie accent. Also, their audiences aren’t as dirty as Australian and English audiences, so that was a learning curve.”
Relatability as a Superpower
Bolland’s comedy has always been described as relatable, a trait he attributes to his grounded lifestyle. “At the end of the day, I am a husband and a father. I work hard and struggle to pay bills like everyone else, so I can relate to the average audience on a very deep level,” he explains. “A lot of the super-famous comedians live in their mansions with their nannies and become unable to relate to the everyday person, but I am and will always be, like Jimmy Barnes once said, a working-class man.”
While his style blends short and snappy jokes with longer, real-life stories, Bolland ensures every show keeps the audience captivated. “It has to capture the audience’s attention so that at the end, they can’t believe it’s been a whole hour because they’ve been having so much fun.”
A Festival in a Festival and Grassroots Comedy
Being part of Grassroots Comedy’s A Festival in a Festival feels like coming home for Bolland. “Grassroots Comedy is like my home court for stand-up,” he says. “Whenever I have new comedy bits to try out, I always try and get into the Experimental Comedy Club in Northbridge on a Tuesday night because it’s truly the best open mic comedy room in Perth to try out new material.”
Bolland has also been deeply impressed by how Grassroots Comedy has grown under Xavier Susai’s leadership. “Xavier and I essentially started doing stand-up comedy at the same time. We were both in the Raw Comedy Competition and made the state final—not important which one of us won… okay, it was Xavier,” he jokes. “When Xavier first told me he was starting up his first room, I was immediately on board and even hosted the first-ever show for him. I knew with all of Xavier’s experience and knowledge that Grassroots Comedy would blow up quickly, but even I was impressed by how fast they went from one open mic show a week to several professional comedy shows every week around Perth. With his knowledge and hard work, I have no doubt Grassroots will be a huge name in Australia for a very long time.”
Highlights and Challenges
Reflecting on his career, Bolland finds it hard to pick a single highlight. “I got to share the stage with a hero of mine in Las Vegas (the Amazing Johnathan), I got to perform to over 15,000 people at a sold-out RAC Arena, and I got to win an overall Fringe World Best Comedy Award with my wife in the audience cheering me on. It’s hard to limit it down to just one moment because it’s a collection of great memories.”
Balancing work and family life remains a challenge, but it’s one he navigates with determination. “Having a day job and two kids, finding the energy to get out and perform is sometimes really tough,” he admits. “But setting goals, like having a new hour of jokes ready in time for Fringe, is a good way to keep motivated.”
Looking Ahead
After Dodged a Bullet, Bolland has ambitious plans. “I’m looking to create some history,” he teases. “I’m also working on a one-man play I hope to have touring in 2026, and I’m partway through writing a TV pilot that has a lot of laughs and even more heart.”
As a mentor to emerging comedians, Bolland is always happy to lend a hand. “I’m a pretty shy guy off stage, but I’m always happy to be approached by aspiring comedians with questions or for advice.”
Where and When
Catch Dodged a Bullet for one night only at A Festival in a Festival:
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Date: 31st of January – 7PM
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Venue: Ronnie Nights
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Tickets: Available now at A Festival in a Festival – select the correct date! Don’t miss your chance to see this award-winning show live!
For more information click here
