What started as a self-imposed deadline for Korinna Gouros turned into a one-hour comedy show delving deep into her personal journey and finding the funny side of her strict upbringing.

The Greek Australian comedian/actor/writer set herself a daring challenge: create and perform a long-form special as part of the 2025 Sydney Fringe Festival.

Most people come up with an idea before pitching it. Gouros did the opposite.

“All I knew from the beginning was that I wanted a deadline that forced me to do something I didn’t think I could – write my first hour-long stand-up show and perform it in Sydney,” the comedian told Neos Kosmos.

“I signed up for Sydney Fringe in June, and the race against myself began.”

It was only then that Gouros, who has 15 years’ experience training in the performing arts, put together a vague idea for the show which centred around its ultimate title: ‘Sorry, My Mom Won’t Let Me’.

The 32-year-old described the show, which will be shown from 2-6 September at Erskineville Town Hall, as a blend of humour and personal stories that explores the family rules she grew up with, as well as her own identity and the journey towards finding your freedom.

The comedian explained that while the show only came together in the past few months, she had recognised the comedic potential of her life from when she ran for SRC at school.

“I put together a speech at the end of Year 9…the concept of the speech was telling stories of absurd things my mother had done, and harsh punishments she had imposed upon me. The students roared with laughter.”

The process of creating the show proved difficult, with her cutting down on her other work commitments to spend long hours combing through her material.

She expressed that she struggled to make sure to only keep the material that fit the show best, while also navigating the fear of her Athens-born mother discovering untold truths about her life through the show.

“Under all this boldness and grind, I’m a 32-year-old woman who has lived a rich life… and I am still afraid of my mum.”

The special marks Gouros’ second go at a one-hour show after previously performing at Melbourne Fringe last year, though she admitted this one has proven even more difficult to put together.

“My last hour-long show was hard work, but because it was comedy/drama, I could lean on my theatre experience, and it was a story adapted from a screenplay I’d already written, as opposed to being written from scratch like this one.”

Gouros has accumulated numerous highlights she is proud of in her young comedy career that started just over a year ago, including opening for Alex Lykos’ recent show at the Sydney Comedy Festival ‘Neanderthal’ and participating in the Greek Youth Comedy Gala in March.

She explained that she would never have taken the leap if not for a “brutal breakup”.”The experience dared me to move forward at an almost reckless speed,” she said.

The artist stressed the significance of her upbringing with two migrant parents (her mother from Athens and her father from a village near Kalamata) as an integral part of her comedic journey.

“I genuinely believe that without being raised in Greek culture, I wouldn’t have entered adulthood with the same sense of humour and warm spirit toward others. I’m grateful that my culture has been the foundation helping me move through life’s challenges,” she said.

She remarked that the coming special only scratches the surface of the stories about her upbringing, which she expects will continue to inspire her for later shows.

“My Hellenic background was ever-present growing up: chaotic mandatory Greek school lessons, Greek dancing, food, passion, warmth. Some parts of that upbringing are explored in the show, while much of the material has been saved for future projects.”