Talking himself hoarse

The 60-year-old from Sydney left the classroom last year to carve out a new career for himself as a ventriloquist – one of those special comedy performers who are funniest when they keep their mouths shut and let their puppet alter-egos take the credit.

Whether it’s man-mad blonde bombshell flight attendant Vanessa Goodtoogo, whose sultry singing can make a Marilyn Monroe song “all her own”, Giddy-up the elite equine-athlete (racehorse) from Kentucky, wise-cracking Eddy, Mr Happy the clown or Little Johnny, the obnoxious baby who steals the limelight, the result is an exercise in skill and performance art.

And the measure of success is whether the audience isn’t sure who is running the show – Glenn or the puppets!

Glenn began using puppetry and drama to teach his University of Western Sydney marketing students, winning a national teaching award in 2009 for his innovative approach.

He trained with the late internationally renowned ventriloquist Chris Kirby and has spent the past few years refining his skills.

Now he takes his theatre show Hello Dollies around NSW helped by his roadie father, 84-year-old Allan Brennan, and his ditty-writing side-kick Dr Patrick Lally, also a retired academic.

And when Glenn’s not on tour he takes his show to retirement villages and seniors’ groups.

Glenn told The Senior one of his most poignant moments was after a performance at an aged care residence when the daughter of an elderly man asked him to visit her father who had stopped communicating with family, friends and staff.

The results were amazing, as within minutes of Glenn’s zany puppets chatting to him, the man was once again talking to and interacting with people.

“The power of these puppets to get through to people and communicate is quite remarkable,” Glenn said.

“These days I don’t teach, rather I help people forget their worries. It’s good natured, good old fashioned, clean humour, and I love working with seniors because they are such an appreciative group.

“Puppets can say and do things that people can’t always do.

“I like to customise the shows and use the names of the people in the audience and it’s always a lot of fun.”

Glenn admits that even when he was teaching he was a frustrated nightclub act and used to write comedy for a Sydney radio station.

“I just love hearing people laugh.”