Comedy Fest Questionnaire: James Elliott and John Glass

Comedy Fest Questionnaire: James Elliott and John Glass

1) Tell us what your show is called this year? The Jim John Jam

 2)  Why? Coz you asked.

3) Can you give us a few hints as to what broadly your festival show is about? Well it does feature a bespoke psychic toast reading, the rest should be obvious.

4) How much time have you spent crafting the show over the past 12 months since the end of the last festival? Can we get back to you after Easter?

5) The comedy festival is turning 21 this year – it’s a big age 21 – what you’re your memories of being 21? Or if you’re not old enough yet, you lucky person, what are your hopes for being 21? At 21 we had silently functioning knees

6) The Comedy festival is one big party and catch up for a month - is there anyone you’re looking forward to seeing over here either socially or on stage? I think it was the treaty of Versailles but we may have misread the question
7) What’s the comedy scene like at the moment who do you rate and why? Tough question, we’ll answer with a question of our own: in no less than 500 words why did the League of Nations fail?

8)  What’s the best piece of audience interaction you’ve had? Pippa Cauldwell

9) What’s the most memorable part of performing for you within the last 12 months? 
Pippa Cauldwell

10) When we say New Zealand International Comedy Festival to you, what’s the first thing you think of? 
Pippa Cauldwell

11) How would you persuade people to come and see your show? A small fire arm can be very effective

Comedy Fest Questionnaire: Jonny Potts

Comedy Fest Questionnaire: Jonny Potts

1) Tell us what your show is called this year?  Let Us Reappraise Famous Men

2)  Why? I came up with the title a year and a half ago, before I'd read Let Us Now Praise Famous Men, and let it guide the development of the show.

3) Can you give us a few hints as to what broadly your festival show is about? It's about men we look up to and men we perhaps should look up to. And a couple we shouldn't. Everyone from politicians to artists to sports stars to landscape architects. 

4) How much time have you spent crafting the show over the past 12 months since the end of the last festival? 
After I came up with the title I realised a lot of the stuff I was doing was consistent with it, so some of the writing had already been done. Some of it goes back to the very first stuff I was doing on stage. The ideas have just kinda been filtering through, punctuated with these occasional bursts of gag writing. Which helps, what with it being a Comedy Festival show and all.

5) The comedy festival is turning 21 this year – it’s a big age 21 – what are your memories of being 21? Or if you’re not old enough yet, you lucky person, what are your hopes for being 21? I was living in Whanganui staying up late, falling in love, smoking cigarettes and trying to see what folks saw in prog rock. Bliss it was that dawn to be alive...

6) The Comedy festival is one big party and catch up for a month - is there anyone you’re looking forward to seeing over here either socially or on stage?
I'm mostly looking forward to what the Auckland folks bring down to the capital. And like every sane person I want to be Josie Long's flatmate. I don't know her but she grinned at me in 2008. And she liked one of my tweets once.

7) What’s the comedy scene like at the moment who do you rate and why?
It's really healthy, and I'm looking forward to following some promising Wellington performers over the next few years, people like Eamonn Marra, Alice May Connolly, Cam Miller and Rick Threlfo, who are so totally their own people on stage. Also, Binge Culture collective have been responsible for some of the best and funniest theatre in Wellington over the past few years, and they're going from strength to strength. 

8)  What’s the best piece of audience interaction you’ve had? 

A toss-up between a really aggressive heckler I destroyed about six months into doing comedy, and a night in my Fringe Festival show recently when the AV screwed up and the whole mood changed to one of 'OK folks, we're all in this together, HERE WE GO!' That was serious fun. 

9) What’s the most memorable part of performing for you within the last 12 months?
The last night of Good Times with Cool Dudes, the split-bill NZICF show I did with my brother-from-another-mother Hadley Donaldson last year. The night had this great energy. We dedicated it to MCA, who'd died that day. Then we went and saw Tommy Ill play and I was apparently quite rude to someone and if you're reading this I'm very sorry. But YOU should be sorry for using the word 'gay' to disparagingly describe my draw-string bag.

10) When we say New Zealand International Comedy Festival to you, what’s the first thing you think of? I really have to nail down how I'm going to open this show.

11) How would you persuade people to come and see your show?
Just look at the amazing poster. I know it has to be good. 

Comedy Fest Questionnaire: Andy Clay

Comedy Fest Questionnaire: Andy Clay

1) Tell us what your show is called this year?Andy Clay’s Book of Love

2)  Why?Because it’s a show done in the form of chapters where I give my advice and opinions on love and related topics – plus I think the name is kind of catchy

3) Can you give us a few hints as to what broadly your festival show is about?
Hints be damned – I’ll tell you exactly what it’s about. It’s me giving my tainted views on love, romance and other bits and pieces. I do this with the aid of my wonderful cast (Michael Saccente, Dane Dawson, Damien Avery and Shavaughn Ruakere) who act out my points in quick fire scenes

4) How much time have you spent crafting the show over the past 12 months since the end of the last festival?Well we did this show 4 years ago so that’s not really been needed too much although rehearsals are underway so tweeking has and will happen as we have 2 new cast members – Shavaughn and Damien.

5) The comedy festival is turning 21 this year – it’s a big age 21 – what’s your  memories of being 21?
I had just started doing stand up comedy so I spent most of 21 crapping my pants wondering why I had left my life in NZ to try to be a comedian in Australia

6) The Comedy festival is one big party and catch up for a month - is there anyone you’re looking forward to seeing over here either socially or on stage?
Oh far too many to name. It really is a great time for a catch up with comedy friends from around the world or to meet new friends from foreign shores. In fact it can be too good a time if you know what I mean.

7) What’s the comedy scene like at the moment who do you rate and why?
The comedy scene seems very healthy at the moment. We’ve never had so many top quality comedians with high profiles in this country before. I can’t say who I rate because if I don’t mention someone then by implication I don’t rate them which may or may not be true – can of worms stuff that.

8)  What’s the best piece of audience interaction you’ve had?
Not sure if it’s the best but many years ago the then governor of the reserve bank Don Brash was in the front row – his son used to do a bit of stand up – I was MC and in between acts I got a piece of paper wrote “$20” on it, brought it out and asked him to sign it. Got a big laugh on the night

9) What’s the most memorable part of performing for you within the last 12 months?
Well I’ve just got back from a tour of South East Asia and I did a show at short notice in a Cambodian town called Siem Reap, 300km north of capital Phnom Penh to bar full of expats. It was such an odd place to be doing comedy but it went really well. I was only the 4^th ever comedian to do a show in that town.

10) When we say New Zealand International Comedy Festival to you, what’s the first thing you think of?
 Far too many late nights

11) How would you persuade people to come and see your show?
Hopefully it goes without saying that it’s a funny show. I know that’s a fairly unoriginal thing to say but it’s pretty important for a comedy.
What stands out about this show is that it’s one of the few shows in the festival that’s not stand up although because it’s written by a stand up (me) and directed by a stand up (Jeremy Elwood) it’s got a very similar laughs per minute ratio. And finally this show will make you realise, whatever your gender, that you are not alone in not being able to understand the whole, relationship, girl/boy situation. This show however  may help you understand why you don’t understand.

Comedy Fest Questionnaire: Markus Birdman

Comedy Fest Questionnaire: Markus Birdman

1) Tell us what your show is called this year?
My show is called ‘LOVE, LIFE & DEATH’
2)  Why?
Not so long ago, I suffered a stroke. That’ll make you think about the big issues. And none are bigger than love, life and death. And I felt this experience gave me the sense of self-importance and grandiosity required to tell you what you should think about them too! You’re welcome.

3) Can you give us a few hints as to what broadly your festival show is about? Yep, it’s about Love. It’s about Life. It’s about Death. It’s about laughing in the face of it all. And it’s about an hour.

4) How much time have you spent crafting the show over the past 12 months since the end of the last festival?

I have been whittling away at it, with the sense of purpose I assume Robin Hood employed, preparing arrows to win the heart of Maid Marian.

5) The comedy festival is turning 21 this year – it’s a big age 21 – what are your memories of being 21? Or if you’re not old enough yet, you lucky person, what are your hopes for being 21? On my 21st birthday I leapt off a nightclub balcony dressed as one half of a pantomime horse to the delight of the people below. Except the one I landed on, who sued, unsuccessfully, for damages.

6) The Comedy festival is one big party and catch up for a month - is there anyone you’re looking forward to seeing over here either socially or on stage?

I wouldn’t mind seeing the other half of that pantomime horse. I haven’t seen him since my 21^st birthday. And he still owes me 20 quid.

7) What’s the comedy scene like at the moment who do you rate and why?

In the UK, it is very healthy indeed. I work to my own rating system based on ancient astrological charts, medieval alchemy and a secret Ugandan recipe for soufflé.  On that, the likes of Rhod Gilbert, Greg Davies, Andrew Bird and Stuart Goldsmith score huge. So I am very excited to see what NZ has to offer. If you’re all blazing like Boy with the Tape on his Face, I’m screwed!

I had lunch with the Boy and his new son recently. Neither are great conversationalists, but I was greatly entertained when he tried to eat his soup.

8)  What’s the best piece of audience interaction you’ve had?

I once stole one of their identities. It was highly lucrative, but pretending to be a 72-year-old woman from Argentina is not without its challenges. Still, my tango is peerless within the comedy community.

9) What’s the most memorable part of performing for you within the last 12 months?

I walked the boards as a Snow White in a very avant-garde pantomime last Christmas. It was a difficult role to pull off. In fact I’m still on parole.

10) When we say New Zealand International Comedy Festival to you, what’s the first thing you think of?

I’m thinking, I hope no one in the NZ visa department saw that panto.

11) How would you persuade people to come and see your show?

Well the Scotsman said of it. “By the close of this hugely enjoyable, sharply structured hour I was feeling glad to be here – with small and big “H” – vowing to grab life by the balls. 4 stars”

Failing that, I’ll be grabbing people by the balls and marching them in.
Females are welcome too.

Comedy Fest Questionnaire: Calypso Nights

Comedy Fest Questionnaire: Calypso Nights

1) Tell us what your show is called this year? Calypso Nights

2)  Why? Because to make dancing, and is so much beauty. All around us. This is what I laugh. And we are all fighting the dragons. With swords on poles. We are the Nights…

3) Can you give us a few hints as to what broadly your festival show is about?
Yes I like this. Do you like this? It is so funny to listen to music. We can do it!

4) How much time have you spent crafting the show over the past 12 months since the end of the last festival? No.

5) The comedy festival is turning 21 this year – it’s a big age 21 – whatyou’re your memories of being 21? Or if you’re not old enough yet, you lucky person, what are your hopes for being 21? OH so full of drunk. I want to be a writer, just like James Deans.

6) The Comedy festival is one big party and catch up for a month - is there anyone you’re looking forward to seeing over here either socially or on stage?
Dr. Brown. He cares for me when in needing.
 
7) What’s the comedy scene like at the moment who do you rate and why?
It is comedy? I like him. Dr. Brown and a man who is a squid!

8)  What’s the best piece of audience interaction you’ve had?
In Berlin I make two people dance together to the sound of a rabbit.

9) What’s the most memorable part of performing for you within the last 12 months?
Being such a great success that I have been gifted special maracas from such a talented man. These things are speaking to me.

10) When we say New Zealand International Comedy Festival to you, what’s the first thing you think of?
A big jug of juice!

11) How would you persuade people to come and see your show?
Because people, come on now. Do you really love to be in this place? I can show you there. Right over there in the glistening. I can stretch your arms. Because you will need to. I have magical eyes.

Comedy Fest Questionnaire: Moving Stationery

Comedy Fest Questionnaire: Moving Stationery

1) Tell us what your show is called this year?
Moving Stationery

2)  Why? It’s a particularly physical show that is set in an office and literally involves moving stationery.

3) Can you give us a few hints as to what broadly your festival show is about?Cellotape and wasabi.

4) How much time have you spent crafting the show over the past 12 months since the end of the last festival?
This is my first comedy festival.

5) The comedy festival is turning 21 this year – it’s a big age 21 – whatyou’re your memories of being 21? Or if you’re not old enough yet, you lucky person, what are your hopes for being 21?
On my 21^st I was on tour with The Ugly Shakespeare Company and celebrated by playing billiards in Tauranga and drinking tequila. The rest of my 21^st I was living in Melbourne in an abandoned spice factory.

6) The Comedy festival is one big party and catch up for a month - is there anyone you’re looking forward to seeing over here either socially or on stage?
I think I went to high school with Ben Hurley. I can say “I went to high school with you” and then stand around awkwardly, then leave. It’ll be great.

7) What’s the comedy scene like at the moment who do you rate and why?
It’s like a blueberry. I rate James Nokise. He once did an impromptu improvised three part musical while balancing vertically on two feet.

8)  What’s the best piece of audience interaction you’ve had?
A 10 year old walked on stage looking for the toilet while I was performing. Twice. It was awesome.

9) What’s the most memorable part of performing for you within the last 12 months?
Having to leave stage and climb up to the technical booth to fix a sound issue at New York Clown Festival. Twice. It wasn’t awesome.

10) When we say New Zealand International Comedy Festival to you, what’s the first thing you think of?
Muffins. But that’s because they’re on the table in front of me.

11) How would you persuade people to come and see your show?
It’s full of nudity, sexual innuendo, and poo jokes… entirely untrue, but it’ll probably get people coming along? That or muffins?

Comedy Fest Questionnaire: Chris Martin

Comedy Fest Questionnaire: Chris Martin

1) Tell us what your show is called this year? Chris Martin: Spot the Difference.

2)  Why? Because my brain spend a lot of time studying the minor differences in the most mundane and everyday observations. And who doesn’t like the game Spot the Difference?


3) Can you give us a few hints as to what broadly your festival show is about?
It’s about very little apart from a man who has an over-thinking idiotic brain who feels the need to tell you his opinions on ‘earth shattering’ subjects such as coffee, dogs & Tupperware.

4) How much time have you spent crafting the show over the past 12 months since the end of the last festival?
The whole time. I’m constantly adding and removing material. I get bored very quickly of saying the same words out of my face a lot. 

5) The comedy festival is turning 21 this year – it’s a big age 21 – what are your memories of being 21? Or if you’re not old enough yet, you lucky person, what are your hopes for being 21?
When I turned 21 I got a free eye mask & socks set from my Uncle Peter that he got on long haul flight. That was his main present to me. I still haven’t forgotten how stingy that was. Every year for his birthday I send him some used sweets wrappers.

6) The Comedy festival is one big party and catch up for a month - is there anyone you’re looking forward to seeing over here either socially or on stage?
Jonah Lomu. He’s doing a show this year, right?


7) What’s the comedy scene like at the moment who do you rate and why?
I rate a lot of my peers. James Acaster who’s making his NZ debut has a great whimsical style & also Ellis James is brilliant story-teller. Check them out.

8)  What’s the best piece of audience interaction you’ve had?
Last time I was in New Zealand before I’d said a word a man at the back shouted “Go Back to England”. Turns out he was also from England. We realised it would affect everyone else’s night a lot less if he went back instead. I believe he left in floods of tears…

9) What’s the most memorable part of performing for you within the last 12 months?
Supporting Milton Jones at the Apollo was pretty special. Performing to several thousand people is pretty exhilarating. It’s as great a feeling as when you bite into a chocolate biscuit and find out there’s surprise caramel inside.

10) When we say New Zealand International Comedy Festival to you, what’s the first thing you think of?
Sushi. You guys need to get a few more sushi shops in Auckland, especially. I don’t think 400000 is enough.

11) How would you persuade people to come and see your show?
By telling them you don’t have to leave a tip as I know how much Kiwis hate tipping.