Comedy Fest Q&A: Jonny Potts

Comedy Fest Q&A: Jonny Potts

JONNY POTTS

1) Tell us the name of your show
The Delusionaries

2) Which came first – the show name or the show content?
The content. Those expecting a Luminaries parody gonna be disappointed but my god look at that poster.

3) C’mon, be honest….
I killed a man.

4) Any other working titles for the show?
Use Your Illusion III, which some band had already.

5) How long – honestly- have you been working on this?
Three years.

6) What’s been the biggest challenge of pulling this show together?
Making the show consistent across three different characters, and finding the right pitch to discuss certain topics.

7) Who’s your biggest comedy rival – and why?
Life's too short for that.

8) Who’s your biggest comedy friend – and why?
Hadley Donaldson, who designs my posters and with whom I've done two Comedy Fest stand up shows.

9) Which show is your must see? Why?
Hamish Parkinson's 'Party Party Party. Fun Fun Fun' because he's calling it 'absurd' and 'dumb', two very desirable elements in comedy.

10) Give us your definition of a great night out during the festival
Seeing two or three shows and having one of them genuinely surprise you.

11) What goes through your mind, the minute before curtain goes up?
Sometimes a Ramones, Iggy or Clash song.

12) What about when you’re on stage?
Mostly nothing, occasionally 'what's next?'

13) How easily distracted are you?
I need to be distracted more easily, truth be told. Sometimes I lock into a set performance too much. Gotta work on being more in tune with the room. Thanks for bringing up my weaknesses.

14) Give us your dream comedy line up
Line-up shows often dilute essence, and make comedy a joke competition. I would love to have seen  a long set from Richard Pryor.

15) Just finally, where will you be in 5 years’ time
My plan is to work really hard but never have any real success, so probably just like maybe next door.

JONNY POTTS performs his show THE DELUSIONARIES (WLG 7 – 10 May) as part of the 2014 NZ International Comedy Festival in cahoots with Old Mout Cider Comedy Gala (24 April – 18 May). For more info visit www.comedyfestival.co.nz