Philip Patston makes a comedy comeback at the NZ International Comedy Festival and introduces NZ audiences to a “virtual” Greg Walloch from New York.

The two poke politically incorrect fun at their sexual preferences, physical conditions and how society reacts to both.

During what hours of the day do you feel most inspired?

Philip Patston makes a comedy comeback at the NZ International Comedy Festival and introduces NZ audiences to a “virtual” Greg Walloch from New York.

The two poke politically incorrect fun at their sexual preferences, physical conditions and how society reacts to both.

During what hours of the day do you feel most inspired?
Annoyingly, early in the morning - it used to be 1am, now it's often 5am.

How would a good friend describe your aesthetic or style?
They wouldn't dare ;-)

What aspect of your creative practice gives you the biggest thrill?
Rocking up on stage without the slightest idea of what I'm going to say.

How does your environment affect your work?
Hugely. My desk right now has paper all over it and so my head feels messy and disorganised.

Do you like to look at the big picture or focus on the details?
I tend to do both at the extremes and leave a huge gulf in the middle.

What's your number one business tip for surviving (and thriving) in the creative industries?
Learn to deal with, indeed enjoy, uncertainty.

Which of your projects to date has given you the most satisfaction?
I'm not sure, I think it's always the latest one but I tend to feel most satisfied starting projects, rather than finishing them.

Who or what has inspired you recently?
Some young poets and musicians from South Auckland who performed at an event we helped organise last week -- they were awesome.

How did you first get into comedy? Were you the jokester at school?
Not particularly, but I've always had a good sense of humour and timing. I got into comedy by mistake. I was looking for a creative outlet and stumbled upon a comedy course. Next thing I knew people were paying to laugh at me. The rest is a blur.

Is it hard to turn off the comedian in your personal life or do the two worlds intertwine?
I think they pretty much intertwine. I find it hard to take much seriously for long these days.

Where do you get your material from?
I channel it.

Tell us about your show at this year’s Comedy Festival.
Here's what I told Renee Liang at The Lumiere Reader: "I’ve got all this stuff I want to talk about – about how we relate to each other, our identity, wisdom, experience and expression – which I talk about in seminars and at conferences. So I’m looking forward to taking the piss out of myself on one hand, but also reminding people about some realities that we forget, like the fact that everyone has the possibility of ending up a bit like me because they could walk out of the show, be hit by a bus and fall in love with the bus driver who happens to be the same gender..."

What are the strengths and challenges for the NZ comedy scene?
I don't feel qualified to say much at the moment - I've been a bit detached the last few years. But I'm enjoying rekindling old connections with people I've not seen for a long time. I would still like to see a bit more diversity in the scene though.

What advice can you give to aspiring professional comedians?
DON'T DO IT!! No, seriously...don't do it. No, just kidding. Be original. Find your own style. Don't watch too much comedy. Don't take yourself too seriously.

If you could go back and choose a completely different career path to the one you've chosen, what would it be?
A barista...or maybe a barrister.

What place is always with you, wherever you go?
My home.

What's the best way to listen to music, and why?
Loud, because you can.

You are given a piece of string, a stick and some fabric. What do you make?
A mess, I imagine.

What's the best stress relief advice you've ever been given?
Remember that, in comparison to some stars in the galaxy, the Earth is indetectably small. So whatever you woke up worrying about this morning, get over it. (Sir Ken Robinson in "The Element")

What's great about today?
Someone cancelled a meeting so I have an extra two hours in my life.

What’s your big idea for 2009?
This show I'm about to do. It's a way of synergising parts of my work that I've been looking for for years!

Philip Patston gives you A Bit of What He's Got - NZ International Comedy Festival 

Auckland
Sat 2 & Tues 5 - Sat 9 May, 7pm
Venue: Herald Theatre

Wellington
Wed 20 - Sat 23 May, 10pm
Venue: The Fringe Bar

Tickets: $25 full; $20  conc and groups 10+
Bookings: 0800 TICKETEK (842 538)