Why Adam Zwar Is Staging Agony Live

The conversational Agony TV series, devised by award-winning writer and actor Adam Zwar, is a staple on ABC TV — almost rivalling Stephen Fry's QI. Now Zwar is introducing a live spin-off show with a stellar cast of comedians and personalities: Celia Pacquola, Lawrence Mooney, Meshel Laurie and Sam Pang.

That Zwar is staging the first Agony Live out of comedy festival season at Melbourne's Yarraville Club is surprising. More surprising is that he hasn't done it before. "I think it was just a matter of bringing these elements together," Zwar says, in a voice that would be familiar to TV viewers. "An opportunity just came together... We had other offers before, but it wasn't right." It will be a soft launch for more shows nationally.

Zwar will host a "debate" centred on "romance and relationships" — a throwback to the formative Agony Uncles and Aunts editions — but the guests will be able to "cut loose" more than on TV. "It's really a chance for these people to speak in a very candid, unfettered way," Zwar says. "It's a great opportunity for the audiences to be able to see their favourite Agony stars uncut, in a way."

Developed by High Wire Films, which Zwar founded with his writer/director wife Amanda Brotchie, Agony has had several series since 2012. The most recent instalment screened in April. But it won't be back next year. "They're taking a break from them at the moment — and that's given us an opportunity to take the live show out there. It's important to not drive the brand into the ground. So I think they'll probably just reset."

Though Agony has been compared to Britain's Grumpy franchise, it evolved out of a column Zwar was writing for News Ltd. Indeed, the Queenslander from a family of writers, started his professional life as a hack — ending up as entertainment reporter for Melbourne's Herald Sun. Zwar speaks nostalgically of journalism. However, he became concerned about the impact of digitalisation on the media. "I saw the writing on the wall around 2001. I was pretty keen to get out... I passed on PR and working for politics. What other jobs are there for journalists? It's hard."

The one-time drama student moonlighted as an actor as early as 1998 — appearing, auspiciously, in Neighbours. "I was Libby [Kennedy]'s stalker," Zwar recalls. "I stalked her. Then her boyfriend was a guy called Todd MacDonald, who played Darren Stark, and he tracked me down and told me to bugger off — and that was the end!" Transitioning out of journalism, Zwar began shooting short films, leading to TV opps. He co-created and co-starred in the cult Wilfred — about a man and his 'bro' substitute dog — with Jason Gann. It was successfully remade for the US market, Gann joined by Elijah Wood. Zwar wasn't involved. "I felt that we'd made what we wanted to make and I was proud of that and so, whatever they did over there, I was happy for them to just have a crack and move on with my life." Zwar was already absorbed in another show, Lowdown, about a dodgy celebrity journo (with Geoffrey Rush narrating). Again, a US version is "in development". "Hopefully we'll hear something soon." Meanwhile, Zwar has returned to journalism. Kinda. He's been gigging for the Cricket Australia website. "I'm a big cricket fan, so that's really great fun for me."