Lucy Downey, a nurse from NSW, has been telling stories all her life, but her journey into stand-up comedy began at a rather unexpected moment—her father’s wake.
“He always said I was a good storyteller and that I should get up and share them. I thought, what better time than now, in front of over 300 people who adored him? It went down well, and I thought, ‘why not give it a real shot?’”
With that, Lucy rang up a local pub in Coffs Harbour, offering her first official gig for ‘100 bucks and a glass of wine.’ Since then, the residential aged care and primary healthcare nurse has been performing at open gigs, MC nights, and private events along the NSW coast. Recently, she played ‘Rumple teaser’ in the CATS musical with the Naidu Theatre Company and is now touring her show Laughs with Luce Season 1.
Originally from Bristol, England, Lucy has called Australia home for the past few years. Describing herself as loquacious, she discovered her love of words early on and has always been known for her high energy and positive outlook.
With a family that’s just as diverse and chatty, Lucy grew up surrounded by stories, sports, and a revolving door visitors and friends. “Our house was always full, so I learned to talk to anyone—whether they’re struggling or from privileged backgrounds.”
Before becoming a nurse, Lucy worked as a schoolteacher, which, along with her life experiences, provides endless material for her performances. “All my stories are 99.8% true. There’s a bit of embellishment, but trust me, they all happened.”
Lucy’s comedy connects with all kinds of audiences, from local shop owners to fellow healthcare workers. “If I’m talking about poo, you know the nurses in the room because they’re laughing the hardest!” For her, humour is not just about entertainment—it’s a vital part of her nursing philosophy, she says.
“Laughter is a primary health initiative. It does wonders for people physically and emotionally, so I use it wherever I can.”
A staunch advocate for aged care, Lucy sees beauty and humour in the stories of older people. “They have so much history, and sometimes it’s poignant, but often, it’s absolutely hilarious.”
Working in a dementia wards, she shares stories of the residents, many of whom are former nurses. “One fire drill turned into chaos with everyone trying to organise each other—it was like herding cats, and I couldn’t stop laughing!”
Lucy says her ability to laugh at herself, along with life’s messiness, is what makes her relatable. “We’re all human and being able to find humour in that is what connects us.” As she gears up for “Laughs with Luce Season 2,” she’s also planning a trip back to England to hopefully perform at the Bath Comedy Festival, hoping to make her mark internationally.
Turning 50, Lucy says she has found her calling. “It’s never too late to find your space. I’ll be working in aged care and making people laugh for as long as I can.”
While nursing continues to provide her with comedic gold, she dreams of taking the stage at the Apollo or the Melbourne Comedy Festival. “If I could be a full-time comedian, I’d do it in a heartbeat!”
Her next gig? Emceeing for the Naidu Theatre Company’s In The Dark Fringe Festival this September, where she’ll bring her humour to the stage once again.
Instagram handle: @Laughs_With_Luce
For her latest events, check out Linktree
