By Andriana Simos and Eleni Patsalides.
Jacinda Patty is ‘Tinder Cindy’ and she is hitting the stage at this year’s Melbourne International Comedy Festival. Ahead of her show, Jacinda spoke with The Greek Herald about her new character and how her Greek heritage has influenced her work.
1. Tell us a little bit about yourself.
I’m a Sydney-based multi-talented artist who has travelled the globe, my passion for performance was ignited through dance at a very young age. With a repertoire that now includes actress, dancer, circus artist and personal trainer all rolled into one big bundle of energy. The creation of my company Pattycakes Productions has given me the platform to deliver a fusion of art forms on stage. Recent productions include ‘Boxed In Sideways’ and ‘Safety Banana’ achieving sell-out shows and 5-star reviews.
I am a second-generation Australian with Greek Maltese heritage and proud of it. Being asked, “Where are you from?” is a common occurrence in my life. I respond. “Sydney mate.” I’m usually met with a face of confusion to which I add, “My heritage is Greek Maltese.” My yiayia is from Crete and my pappou is from Kythera, simply an island paradise. I have always been interested in how my grandparents travelled by boat to Australia to create a life of opportunity. The idea of then and now came about whilst writing ‘Tinder Cindy,’ so I went back to the source to ask the step-by-step story of how yiayia met pappou and ended up in Australia.
I travelled because I figured if my grandparents could get on boats to the other side of the world, I could get on a plane and go anywhere! And through these travels and listening to endless stories over tables of food my desire is to write and share the stories of before my time. I am thankful to still have both my grandmothers alive to continually be learning from them.
2. This year you will be at the Melbourne International Comedy Fest. Is this your first time at the festival? How does it feel?
This will be my second year at MICF, with a brand new show! It’s exciting, to say the least. As a performer, I am pushing personal boundaries with character and story techniques and a story that comes from the heart.
3. You will be starring in Tinder Cindy. What is this comedy about?
Tinder Cindy is about exploring then vs now, old vs new. What was dating like in the 1940’s compared to the joys and frustrations of the online dating world now? Join Cindy as she navigates the online dating world, whilst living at her yiayia’s house. Can Yiayia’s lessons in love, help with Cindy’s quest for love?
4. Are you trying to break stereotypes around what a typical Greek yiayia should be with ‘Tinder Cindy’? How and in what way?
Yes. My yiayia is not a typical Greek yiayia towards us. She goes to church and has spent her years in the Greek community, but I have not had a strict religious upbringing. We get all the culture, amazing food and LOUD conversations and laughs.
When we were younger, we used to fight yiayia with the koutala, she would chase us around the kitchen. Tinder Cindy looks at Yiayia and grandmothers as their own person with their own stories.
5. Do you have a message for your Greek Australian fans?
To embrace their heritage and their grandparents through laughter. Tinder Cindy was created to shine a light on our grandmothers as women.
Melbourne International Comedy Festival
Palace of Magnificent Experiences, 267 Swan St Richmond
7pm on 7, 8, 9, 10, 21, 22, 23 & 24 April
Tickets: $30.
Bookings: https://www.comedyfestival.com.au/2022/shows/tinder-cindy-1
