Andrea Gibbs On Carol, Christmas, And Crafting Characters with Heart

Andrea Gibbs wears many hats – comedian, radio presenter, storyteller, and playwright. Her latest project, Carol, is a brand-new Christmas show premiering with black swan this November. It’s only her second full-length play, but true to Andrea’s style, it’s packed with humour, heart, and big WA energy.

“I think we all sit around during the holidays, looking at our families, and wondering if everyone else’s Christmas is as mad as ours,” Andrea says. Carol leans right into that vibe – a bit messy, a bit heartfelt, very human. “This play is my way of exploring those similarities and differences, and showing how theatre (and comedy) can bring us together, break our hearts a little, and ultimately remind us of what we do share in terms of Christmas spirit.”

The character of Carol came from a mix of personal reflection and some sobering statistics. “As a woman in my mid-40s working in the arts, I started to think a lot about my own future and financial stability. Around the same time, I was reading about how women in their 60s are the fastest growing group experiencing homelessness in Australia. It made me want to explore the reasons behind this and highlight that while it’s easy to slip into financial instability at that stage of life, there are ways we can come together as a community to prevent it – it requires systemic change and a collective effort.”

“Carol isn’t inspired by just one person – she’s a blend of many incredible women I interviewed.”

Carol’s lost her job, her husband, and her savings – and now she’s living in a van in a shopping centre car park, clinging to dignity (and tinsel). The story is really about how she ends up there. “There’s a bit of me in her as well – she’s got a similar sense of humour to mine and is a keen observer of people. And of course, she’s also navigating grief, which changes how she experiences the holidays.”

“Comedy is like a secret ingredient that helps us deal with life’s chaos.”

Even with the heavy subject matter, Andrea makes sure the script is full of laughter. “Even when things aren’t going to plan, havin’ a laugh can be a way of sayin, ‘Yep, it’s tough, it’s shit, but we’re still here.’ So in Carol, the humour isn’t just there for laughs – it’s there to remind us that even in the messiness, there’s always a bit of light to be found.”

Andrea’s storytelling chops run deep, and her background in live storytelling has shaped her approach to writing. “Bloody oath it does! Listening to real people share their lives has definitely opened up my ear for dialogue that feels natural and lived-in. I love finding those specific details in people’s stories, and I think it’s really helped me develop an ear for authentic dialogue.”

“There’s definitely a queue of projects waiting their turn!”

Carol follows Andrea’s 2022 debut, Barracking for the Umpire, which toured regionally in 2024. But this time, things have been different. “With Barracking, the story was close to home, inspired by my own family, so research sometimes just meant giving my dad a call! With Carol, I’ve had to dive into a lot of new research territory. And with the musical elements and the Christmas theme – both out of my comfort zone – it’s been quite exciting.”

Handing the script over to a director? “It’s a bit like how I imagine it would be sending your kid to school for the first time – emotional, a bit scary, but also...thank God, someone else can deal with it now! I do love staying close to the rehearsal room, though. After all that solitary writing time, it’s a joy to be around other creatives and watch the story come to life.”

“Hell yes! I love Western Australia and being a West Aussie.”

As for writing WA stories – it’s non-negotiable. “We’ve got this fantastic mix of being a bit isolated but still totally in tune with the world. Plus, we know how to keep it real and have a great radar for bullshit! I’m incredibly proud to be creating my best work right here at home, staying close to my roots and supporting, learning from, and working with the amazing community of artists around me.”

Her own Christmases are a little less curated than Carol’s. “I’m the youngest in the family so I’ve never had much ownership over Christmas. I just get told where to go, and off I go! I guess through my character Carol, I get to explore that love of the festive planning that I haven’t had the chance to do myself.”

And what’s next? “There’s definitely a queue of projects waiting their turn! After Carol, I’m diving into a new project with Performing Lines, creating an in-car audio experience based on real interviews with people who’ve lived through bushfires. And of course, more writing. Black Swan has really given me the confidence and permission to truly call myself a writer, and I’m excited to keep going.”

Before she disappears into the next creative cave, we had to ask: what would her dream Christmas lunch look like?

“Alright, let’s set the table. First chair goes to Mariah Carey. Let’s be honest – we’ll be hearing her every three minutes anyway, might as well have her in the flesh, belting out songs between courses. Andrew Scott’s coming too – but only if he does all the characters from Vanya. I don’t care if it takes seven hours.

I want someone fresh out of prison. Ideally still wearing the ankle monitor. I want grit, I want redemption, I want someone who can make wine in a sock. Also, someone who’s been to space – I’ve got questions. Like, what does re-entry do to your bowels?

We need someone who’s been cancelled – not a celeb, just a regular punter who made one dodgy oat milk joke in a Facebook group and now works at Bunnings under a fake name.

And finally, someone who won the lotto and torched it. Bought a Monaro, a smoker trailer the size of a caravan, three Bali villas, and a number plate that says ‘YIEW’. Now lives in a tin shed behind his sister’s in Bunbury. He’ll drive me mad – but it’s not Christmas without someone lowering the tone.”

Food-wise? “Mum’s on pavlova – none of that supermarket crap, hers is all fresh farm eggs and stiff peaks. Michelin-star chef Angela Hartnett’s doing the rest. She’s cooked for royalty – how bad can this be? Actually, looking around this table...pretty bad. Oh well. Merry Christmas, everyone.”

Carol premieres this November at the State Theatre Centre of WA. You’ll laugh, you’ll cry, you might even sing along. And if you see someone in the foyer asking questions about re-entry bowel pressure...now you know why.