Breaking age barriers, Liz Hicklin takes the comedy stage for the first time, proving it’s never too late to chase your dreams

Meet Liz Hicklin, a vibrant 93-year-old who recently made her stand-up comedy debut, demonstrating that courage and creativity know no age limit. After winning a slam poetry competition at Clunes Booktown 2023, Hicklin, whose life story reads like an epic novel filled with adventures, losses, and resilience, decided to tackle the remaining items on her bucket list: dancing the foxtrot and performing stand-up comedy.

With a life that spanned the globe from the UK during WWII, through careers in nursing and doll-making, to being a poet and writer and even the girlfriend of poet Ted Hughes before Sylvia Plath, Hicklin’s experiences provided a rich tapestry of material for her comedy.

Encouraged by Jacinta Parsons of ABC Entertainment, Hicklin took to the stage at Local Laughs in Melbourne’s St Kilda East, alongside comedy greats. Opting to perform as herself rather than a character, Hicklin aimed to share her unique perspective with authenticity and humour.

This endeavour wasn’t about presenting Hicklin as a novelty due to her age but was a celebration of her daring to live her truth boldly. Comedy, a field she would have loved to explore at a younger age, became a new chapter in her life at 93, defying societal expectations about ageing and ambition.

On stage, Hicklin was not just a performer; she was a storyteller who used her humour to challenge the audience to rethink ageing, death, and the essence of life. Her performance was not only a personal triumph but also a powerful statement against the stereotypes that often sideline the elderly in society.

Liz Hicklin’s journey into comedy is a reminder to all of us about the importance of pursuing our passions, regardless of age or societal constraints. Her story is a call to action: to live fully, embrace new challenges, and redefine what is possible, proving that the pursuit of dreams has no expiration date.

“It’s the beginning of a new career,” Hicklin remarked after her performance, her eyes twinkling with the excitement of new possibilities. Her story inspires us to question our own life choices and consider what we might be leaving unexplored. Liz Hicklin’s comedic debut is a beacon of inspiration, showing that it’s truly never too late to start anew.