The Cardboard Cartel

Name and Role: Garth Hodgson – Co-writer, co-actor, co-pretty-much-everything alongside Richie Black, Jason Dixon and Ben Draisma.

Plug your show! Our show is an episodic sketch comedy show that's not for the faint-hearted. It's a psychotic romp through the hilarious lives of the most disturbed and disturbing characters you'll ever meet. If you like your comedy dark, absurd and unafraid to “go there” you're in for a treat. Prepare to be shocked, surprised… And inexplicably aroused.

Where did the idea for your show come from? Our characters discovered us in a dilapidated mountain shack known affectionately as Sex Murder Mansion… Fortunately we all survived despite the torture porn film setting. Unfortunately, it turns out their personalities are far more interesting than ours. In fact, Ben now lives permanently in character as a murderous Alabama pageant mom, which his wife admits is a significant improvement.

What have the past few months or so been like in the lead-up to Fringe? It's been really difficult, owing mostly to my insatiable addiction to permanent markers, Jason's penchant for self-cannibalisation and Richie's tendency to become mummified in stationery… Oh, and every time we use cardboard we have to lock Ben in a cupboard or else he'll eat it.

What inspires you artistically? Observations of bizarre, horrible and crazy people, taking absurd ideas to the extreme, and the whole gamut of boundary-pushing comedy: Monty Python, The League Of Gentlemen, Family Guy, The Pajama Men, The Mighty Boosh…

What the most cringe-worthy thing you've seen on stage? My niece's school production of Grease. Disappointing. The smoking scenes were barely believable so I gave them a pack of Horizon after the show to practice with.

What other shows are you looking forward to at this year's Fringe? I'd pay to see Cardinal Pell's Sweaty Jowls – A Puppet Extravaganza for Children, if only someone would make it.

What excites you about being involved in the Sydney Fringe 2012? Seeing how the audience responds to our more controversial and outrageous characters. We won't be happy unless people leave in disgust or throw rotten fruit at us (available for purchase at the bar).

WHEN & WHERE: Thursday 13 to Sunday 16 September, The Arts Platform