As the countdown to the 2008 general election on November 8 begins, comedian Arthur Meek returns to the stage to play Casanova Meros and convince Prime Minister Helen Clark that by taking him as her lover she can 'herald a new golden age for New Zealand culture and society.'

Meek presents his case in one-man PowerPoint presentation, On the Conditions and Possibilities of Helen Clark Taking Me as Her Young Lover, based on a satirical booklet of the same name by the elusive essayist Richard Meros.

"By being the object of her desires and standing beside her in the firestorm of the ensuing media assault, Meros will ensure that all other policies fade to grey in light of the young lover scandal," says Meek.As the countdown to the 2008 general election on November 8 begins, comedian Arthur Meek returns to the stage to play Casanova Meros and convince Prime Minister Helen Clark that by taking him as her lover she can 'herald a new golden age for New Zealand culture and society.'

Meek presents his case in one-man PowerPoint presentation, On the Conditions and Possibilities of Helen Clark Taking Me as Her Young Lover, based on a satirical booklet of the same name by the elusive essayist Richard Meros.

"By being the object of her desires and standing beside her in the firestorm of the ensuing media assault, Meros will ensure that all other policies fade to grey in light of the young lover scandal," says Meek.During what hours of the day do you feel most inspired?
7am till 10am. I'm always amazed by what I can get done if I don't sleep in

How would a good friend describe your aesthetic or style?
BA chic

What aspect of your creative practice gives you the biggest thrill?
Being able to say and do the things on stage that as an audience member I always wanted to hear said and see done

How does your environment affect your work?
The more clutter there is around me the more cluttered my thoughts. I have to work in a tidy room. Tedious but true

Do you like to look at the big picture or focus on the details?
I work in drafts, like a hawk. First arc macro, then circle in to swoop on the detail

What's your number one business tip for surviving (and thriving) in the creative industries?
Look ahead at least 6 months and learn to love number crunching

Which of your projects to date has given you the most satisfaction?
This one. Thanks to my partnership with Geoff, I'm finally getting the social punch into my comedy

Who or what has inspired you recently?
Robert Fisk and his emphasis on speaking truth to power and being biased on the side of the underdog

How did Richard Meros booklet On the conditions and possibilities of Helen Clark taking me as Her Young Lover become a one-man powerpoint performance?
Logic, opportunism and the skills of an impassioned group of people (myself, director Geoff Pinfield and designer Gareth Williams) and the empowerment of a CNZ grant

Has the real Meros revealed himself and how has he responded to the play?
The real Meros loves to reveal himself at every opportunity. He has responded to the play by buying a car with his royalties

What characteristics do you share with Meros?
Sardonic hair, laconic eyes and the love of intellectual wankery

How can Meros help Helen Clark herald a new golden age for New Zealand culture and society?
Some people think that because John Key made a lot of money for himself, he'll be able to make a lot of money for the country (not that you can trade Southlanders for Japanese when they start to lose their value in the same way that you can with dollars and yen, but anyway) similarly, by being the object of her desires and standing beside her in the firestorm of the ensuing media assault, Meros will ensure that all other policies fade to grey in light of the young lover scandal. The old biddies and coozers will be so amazed that they'll tick her back to power in the hope of a 'young lovers for all' policy

What are the other messages in the play?
The joys of embodied capitalism and the peace of mind you can attain by buying commemorative teaspoons

Has Helen Clark attended or commented on the show?
We invited her along, she said she's too busy dealing with Winston at the moment, but wishes us luck. This is a very pleasing sign. Once Winston is gone there'll be a post in her cabinet that she will need filled pronto

What other MPs and parliamentary staff have attended and what feedback have you received?
The show has enjoyed wide crossbench support. It's been seen by the leader of Act, the co-leader of the Greens, an ex-governor general, several labour MPs, countless parliamentry staff, politcal bloggers from both sides of the spectrum and John Key's speechwriter even turned up for inspiration. They all seemed to love the show and bought books and teaspoons as if they were in the height of fashion. So far I've signed about 30 copies for close friends of Helen who want to pass them on to her

If you could go back and choose a completely different career path to the one you've chosen, what would it be?
Hill country Shepherd, mustering on horseback and slurping hot black tea from a thermos as I stare crisply over the Mackenzie country

What place is always with you, wherever you go?
The playground behind the old miramar library. I fell off the swing there when I was eight and still have some gravel in my forehead

What's the best way to listen to music, and why?
On vinyl thru stereo headphones on a beanbag in the lounge in front of a warm fire. High quality sound and no need to worry about that facist social emphasis on wearing clothes

You are given a piece of string, a stick and some fabric. What do you make?
A funky upholstered bean pole for my summer aduki's to slouch round like sexy swimsuit models

What's the best stress relief advice you've ever been given?
Any time you're tempetd to read a self help book, pick up a novel instead. The human condition is explored far better and deeper by novelists

What's great about today?
I got fired from a film set cos my hair is too long, so I get to spend the rest of the afternoon with my beautiful partner Samantha

What's your big idea for 2008?
Vegetarian pies - in every service station in the country. Mushroom stroganoff, dahl, roast vegies, the possibilities are limitless and the meat pie squirts will be a thing of the past.

On the conditions and possibilities of Helen Clark taking me as Her Young Lover

Arthur Meek - Writer / Performer: Arthur is the creator of the award-winning short film Being John Campbell (2002), and member of Billy T Nominated band The Lonesome Buckwhips (Best Comedy, Fringe 2007).
Geoff Pinfield - Writer / Director: co-writer of Maui - One Man Against the Gods and creator of anarcho-mime shows Happy Hour for Miserable Children (Best Comedy, Fringe 04) and The Magic Chicken.
Richard Meros - Author: Other works include Richard Meros Salutes the Southern Man and NZ race-relations treatise Tinorangatiratanga, Muthafucka!

12 - 20 September
Downstage Theatre, 12 Cambridge Tce
Bookings: 04 801 6946 Cost: $25/20
Performance Times: Mon - Wed 6.30pm and Thurs - Sat 7.30pm
Matinees: Sat 13 & 20 Sep, 3pm

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