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MEET THE FROCKERS Bron Lewis and Claire Hooper
Bron Lewis and Claire Hooper
Say hello to Frockers Bron Lewis (comedian, writer, podcaster AND ex-teacher) and Claire Hooper (comedian, writer and author, podcaster, TV and radio host) - two of FMO HQ’s favourite funny ladies and style Queens, who are both coming to Adelaide for The Fringe. YESSSSS!!!
We first fell in love with Bron through her hilarious and candid chats on the Good Shelia’s podcast, as she discussed quitting her day job and pursuing her passion for comedy, the chaotic joys of motherhood and her refusal to push the swing in the playground. She’s gone on to co-star on the Two Drunk Aunties and Work Hates podcasts, appear on TV shows like The Project and The Cheap Seats, and she’s a regular panellist on Have You Been Paying Attention. Her first show Obviously earned her critical acclaim and a loyal fan base of fellow mums, and she will be touring her second show Who’s Talking?! around Australia from Feb-May this year (scroll down for information and to purchase tickets) where she discusses her previous profession as a teacher.
Claire Hooper shot to fame in the early 2000’s with her standup comedy and as a team captain on Good News Week and since then she has hosted 5 seasons of The Great Australian Bake Off, as well as appearing on TV shows such as The Project, Spicks and Specks and Would I Lie To You? She is also an acclaimed podcaster (The Pineapple Project and I’m The Worst With Claire Hooper) and accomplished author. Claire will be touring her new show Nothing To See Here around Australia from Feb-May this year (scroll down for information and to purchase tickets).
Bron and Claire not only have us laughing hard - we love their style! They been much appreciated supporters of Frock Me Out over the years and we caught up recently to find out how they met, what they look for in their wardrobes and – importantly - what will they be wearing on stage?
We are big fans of a good origin story! How did you meet? Who stalked who in the school yard during drop off?
BRON: We met on our respective eldest daughters’ first day of school. I was worried my daughter Olive would be the youngest kid there because she was still only four, and the new craze of holding kids back until they had moustaches had kicked in. I scanned the birthday chart, and noticed that there was a little girl named Penny that was born the day after Olive, so I knew there was another mum out there just as keen to minimise the daycare bills as I was. I recognised Hoops, but I couldn’t work out where from, and over the next few months as I tried to place her, I realised I missed my window to ask. Eventually, I blurted out, “I’m so sorry Claire, but what do you do?” She sheepishly said, “Do you watch ‘Australia’s Greatest Bake-Off?’ I smiled and said, “No”. A regular person would lie and then Google it later, but I am an idiot and thankfully, Hoops is a benevolent beast with a tiny ego and continued the friendship. We gravitated to each other naturally, and she is side-splittingly hilarious, especially when she reenacts improv scenes on the basketball court. It wasn’t long before she was encouraging me to start comedy, which was the greatest gift any friend has ever given me, including the time Amanda Goode gave me a Tamagotchi in Year 6. I owe that woman more than you'll ever know, and I guess I’m grateful to Hoops as well.
CLAIRE: Oh my goodness, Bron Lewis, the show is called The Great Australian Bake Off. Best friends for six years and she still can't get my TV credits right. I remember seeing Bron across the room at the prep meet and greet, with her good hair and confident posture, and thinking 'I don't think she's for me'. But every time I heard her talking to other parents she was so funny and I found myself making a bee line for her every pickup time.
Speaking of drop off…tell us about your craziest drop off outfit? And is it acceptable to wear PJ’s?
BRON: Hoops and I are both really good at turning up to school looking either homeless, or sprinting from an event where we’re dressed in Frock Me Out and looking like a million bucks. I think it’s fun to keep the other parents guessing. My craziest outfit would probably have been exercise leggings that has a secret rip in the bottom. A secret everyone knew about except me until far, far too late. I would love to think that one day I will have my act together enough to never do the drop off in my nighty, but I also wonder if I’ll ever be humble enough to not feel the need to let the other parents know I can afford Peter Alexander pyjamas. I don’t think I will be. So in my opinion, pyjamas are absolutely acceptable, as are exercise gear you have no intention of exercising in, and on the odd occasion, when everything has worked in your favour, a Frock Me Out jumpsuit to remind everyone that you have style, you have grace, you’re a lady. Thanks Tom Jones.
CLAIRE: Bron, were you there the day I turned up in after a photo shoot in a full length green fur coat? Yeah, what Bron said. It's basically gardening clothes or full glamour. My poor kids must wonder if they'll recognize me.
CLAIRE: I love clothing but it's really important to me that my wardrobe is ethical. So I'm looking for chameleon pieces that can do lots of different jobs and that are made to last. If they've got a bit of vintage style to them they feel like they won't age. And then I feed my appetite for new things by buying second hand items to combine with my staples. I have a Frock Me Out sweatshirt from pre covid that still looks good and still gets compliments. I love that.
BRON: I love feminine pieces with bold colours. I am at a point in my life that if it’s not comfortable, I can’t wear it, which is why I love Frock Me Out so much. Since discovering Frock Me Out, it’s basically become my onstage uniform because it’s reliably stylish, good quality, classy, fun and comfortable. As a comedian, the first impression counts - it’s like the first joke of the night, if it’s a flop, it’s hard to win the audience’s trust. Similarly with an outfit, if they look at me and think I’ve put in too much effort, or I look uncomfortable, they worry about me, and a worried audience can’t laugh. My comedic style is bold, confident and direct, so I need outfits that make me feel like me, and Frock Me Out does that every single time.
Do you have an all-time favourite or most worn FMO item/print?
BRON: It’s hard to pick a single item of Frock Me Out that is my favourite. I wear the denim jumpsuits weekly, and the denim jacket is a staple too. I love the silver tops, as well as the purple and white zig zag capped shirt. All of the jumpsuits feel Iike they were designed for my exact body type, but I’ve heard heaps of women with differently body types say the exact same thing about Frock Me Out. Everything is like the jeans from the Sisterhood of the Travelling Pants because it looks great on everyone!
CLAIRE: I lived in the copper bell sleeve top with the black velvet pants last festival season. And I love the Frock Me Out stripes. But my favourite-favourite item is the dark denim jeans. I can't stop wearing them. What will I wear this Fringe?
BRON: Each year Adelaide shocks me with how bloody hot it can get! Needless to say, you won’t see me wearing a dress or a skirt, because in my show, I always want the option of a high kick if the moment needs it. I’ll be wearing fun prints, excellent jumpsuits and a smug smile that says, “I’m the best dressed mongrel here.”
CLAIRE: The denim jumpsuit is cooler than it looks. The denim is soft and breathable. I reckon it'll be that for me. Job done.
Scroll down for more information and to purchase tickets to Bron's Show Who's Talking? and for Claire's show Nothing To See Here.
Bron on The Project
Claire on The Project
Bron on Stage
Bron on Stage
Bron and Claire on Stage
Claire on Stage
BRON LEWIS - 'Who's Talking?!'
Ever wanted to know what your high school teacher actually thought of you? Or whether she believed your excuses? Or what she wanted to say to the Year 8 boy who refused to leave the class? Well, you’re going to want to see this show. Before Bron Lewis was one of Australia’s most promising new comedians, she was a high school teacher for almost a decade. It was an era where she both nurtured young hearts, encouraged kids to be brilliant, but she also made some lifelong enemies. You’ll hear more about them in this show than the nerds. Bron became a teacher because she hates learning - she would rather saw off her own legs then learn a new card game. Bron raises the question: what happens when someone tries to avoid learning at all costs? They teach. Sit down, and get ready to learn.
CLAIRE HOOPER - Nothing to See Here
If a Claire Hooper falls over in the forest and nobody sees, does it make a sound? It’s a trick question. Somebody always sees. This is a show for anyone who’s ever tripped on something that wasn’t there, waved across the room to someone who didn’t see them, or suffered any other small, public humiliation and kept smiling.
Winner – Piece of Wood, Melbourne Comedy Festival 2024 Dates for other capital cities are Canberra March 22, Melbourne March 27-April 20 and Brisbane May 22-25.
