The NZ Comedy Festival is set to unleash itself upon the funnybones of Auckland and Wellington from April 29. TimeOut has rounded up a dozen or so local and international stars of this year's fest to discuss their approach to funny.
From: Australia.
As seen on: The Gruen Transfer and 7 Days.
Name of show (and how long did it take you to think it up?): Man vs Wil. It just came to me one day when I was drinking my own urine.
Conceptual description of show in 10 words or less: What I reckon, why I reckon it, why I'm wrong.
Are props required? If so, what's the most important one? Does booze count as a prop? In that case the most important one is vodka and ginger ale.
Can we bring our mum? Only if your mum thinks that Reservoir Dogs is a children's movie.
If you do have another telly/radio/whatever gig what can you do in your live show that you can't there? There is a lot more drinking and swearing in the live show. That tends to happen more behind the scenes on the telly.
How many Auckland Comedy Festival appearances is this for you? This is my third festival in a row, and probably the third time in a row I will get a full cavity search at Customs when they see "comedian" on my passport.
What have you learned from your past appearances? Don't get any tips on material from Paul Henry.
In a year like 2011, what is there to laugh about? Mel Brooks said: "Tragedy is when I cut my finger, comedy is when you fall down an open sewer and die." In tough times comedy is more important than ever.
Who's your favourite live comedian of all time and why? Louis CK. His arguments are so flawless he can make the seemingly most offensive premises seem completely logical.
Complete this sentence: "Please come to my show because ..." The NZ dollar is not that strong so I really need a lot of you to come so I can pay my bills.
* SkyCity Theatre, May 11- 14
