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We Are Currently Experiencing Some Issues draws together NZ comedians Brett O’Gorman, Jamie Bowen, Simon McKinney, Toni Potter, Justine Smith and Director Ben Crowder. 

Five talented comic performers break with tradition by joining forces with a theatre director to challenge the status quo of the live comedy experience.

We Are Currently Experiencing Some Issues, at the Herald Theatre from May 12 -16, is part of the NZ International Comedy Festival 2009.
 
During what hours of the day do you feel most inspired?
3 am unfortunately

How would a good friend describe your aesthetic or style?
Inspired lunacy

What aspect of your creative practice gives you the biggest thrill?
The laughter

How does your environment affect your work?
There needs to be enough room to play Four-Square

Do you like to look at the big picture or focus on the details?
Big picture

What's your number one business tip for surviving (and thriving) in the creative industries?
Hahahahahaha…

Which of your projects to date has given you the most satisfaction?
Good question.  We Are Currently Experiencing Some Issues.

Who or what has inspired you recently?
Peter Cook

How did you first get into comedy? Were you the jokester at school?
Cliche’d, but yes I was.  Although my first gag was when I was 4 or 5.  Ironically it was a death scene also.  You could say it was my first experience of dying on stage.

Is it hard to turn off the comedian in your personal life or do the two worlds intertwine?
Very much intertwined.  I mean I’m trying to be funny even with this..

Where do you get your material from?
Geoffs Emporium.  See?

Tell us about your show at this year’s Comedy Festival.
It’s all in the title really.  Watch us experience many, many issues on stage in front of an audience.  Emotional, physical, racial.  So many issues.

What are the strengths and challenges for the NZ comedy scene?
Good community.  Still more comedy shows on TV are needed..

What advice can you give to aspiring professional comedians?
Don’t try too hard to be funny.

If you could go back and choose a completely different career path to the one you've chosen, what would it be?
Something well payed to do with computers.

What place is always with you, wherever you go?
Home

What's the best way to listen to music, and why?
On the bus.  A soundtrack to life as it goes by the window.

You are given a piece of string, a stick and some fabric. What do you make?
MacGyver

What's the best stress relief advice you've ever been given?
Here’s a valium.

What's great about today?
It’s pouring down with rain and I have the day off, kind of. 

What’s your big idea for 2009?
Bidet’s and central heating in every New Zealand home. 

We Are Currently Experiencing Some Issues: Jamie Bowen (TV3’s ‘A Thousand Apologies’), Simon McKinney (2007 Best Male Comedian), Brett O’Gorman (‘Reindeer Monologues’, Gary), Toni Potter (‘Shortland St’) and Justine Smith (2008 Best Female Comedian). Director, Ben Crowder (Theatre Stampede).