Best Male Comedian 2007 and Billy T Award nominee Simon McKinney has been honing his craft and mimicking people since he was an "irritating little constant talker" at school.

"You soon learn the best laugh is still the slow burner which you have to stifle in class until it comes out your nose in an explosion. If you can get the whole class doing that, you've made it. It's a delicate art though, every time I underestimated a teacher's trouble-radar, or the explosive power of a good comedy moment, I would find myself being sent out of class, again."

Now with a decade of stand-up experience under his belt, including multiple appearances on TV's Pulp Comedy and more than 300 performances in the UK, Simon's inner child still seems alive and well and he has big plans for 2008.

"Make as many people laugh as possible, through all means possible, and let them know where they can find more. There's more good comedy about than ever before, if you know where to look for it, and I've noticed a lot of people about who could do with a good laugh."

You can find Simon next month at the NZ International Comedy Festival performing his solo show Land Of The Long White Clown.Best Male Comedian 2007 and Billy T Award nominee Simon McKinney has been honing his craft and mimicking people since he was an "irritating little constant talker" at school.

"You soon learn the best laugh is still the slow burner which you have to stifle in class until it comes out your nose in an explosion. If you can get the whole class doing that, you've made it. It's a delicate art though, every time I underestimated a teacher's trouble-radar, or the explosive power of a good comedy moment, I would find myself being sent out of class, again."

Now with a decade of stand-up experience under his belt, including multiple appearances on TV's Pulp Comedy and more than 300 performances in the UK, Simon's inner child still seems alive and well and he has big plans for 2008.

"Make as many people laugh as possible, through all means possible, and let them know where they can find more. There's more good comedy about than ever before, if you know where to look for it, and I've noticed a lot of people about who could do with a good laugh."

You can find Simon next month at the NZ International Comedy Festival performing his solo show Land Of The Long White Clown.During what hours of the day do you feel most inspired?
Usually between dinnertime and going to bed.

How would a good friend describe your aesthetic or style?
Bouncy, cheerful

What aspect of your creative practice gives you the biggest thrill?
Having a great idea for a funny bit you know the audience will love, and then the anticipation until you get to blurt it out onstage like a twit.

How does your environment affect your work?
A lot. If your surroundings are odd or uncomfortable, or there's a lot of stupid decisions being made all around you, then you've got lots to talk about, and it can make you feel better. If you're in a zen place with perfect peace, the comedy is going to be a little different.

Do you like to look at the big picture or focus on the details?
Every time I've neglected either, things have gone pear-shaped. I think you need a big picture goal you can work towards, and then point all of life's little details in that direction as best you can. It's a bit like swimming, head down, swim like mad, then lift your head to see where you are. That's the way I swim anyway.

What's your number one business tip for surviving (and thriving) in the creative industries?
A business tip? I'm not one for knowing business in this industry, but as far as surviving in the creative world, I think one of the most important things is to know your own skill, have faith in it, and find someone who understands it. Many good creative projects, both comedy and other, have been scuppered by someone high up who didn't get it and said no. If you know it's good and you think people would like to see it, make sure it gets made and seen. It's easier than you think and you don't have to go through any non-creative idiots who make big decisions. Go around them and let the public decide.

Which of your projects to date has given you the most satisfaction?
I love all of my animation projects, they give me about the same level of satisfaction every time. Last year's festival show was a huge buzz throughout, and I got to share it with a mate, which was great.

How did you first get into comedy? Were you the jokester at school?
Yes, not the loud jokester though, the irritating little constant talker. You soon learn the best laugh is still the slow burner which you have to stifle in class until it comes out your nose in an explosion. If you can get the whole class doing that, you've made it. It's a delicate art though, every time I underestimated a teacher's trouble-radar, or the explosive power of a good comedy moment, I would find myself being sent out of class, again.

Do you have an unnatural curiosity for the human race and all its quirks?
Ha, you've read the blurb in the comedy programme. Yes, I do.

You're known for your ability to mimic voices, accents and personalities. When did you start doing this and who is your favourite person to mimic?
I began impersonating when I was very young. I enjoyed talking to people and being understood long before kids are meant to, and I learnt if you could impersonate someone you were talking about, it helped communicate the whole idea so much more clearly. It's like injecting a huge amount of flavour into a conversation, and I found that recognition can be a powerful comedic tool. I think some school teachers are still my favourite people to mimic.

Is it hard to turn off the comedian in your personal life or do the two worlds intertwine?
A little. It's all about keeping everything in moderation. A little of both worlds always seeps into the other, and it's a healthy balance.

You've done more than 300 gigs in the UK and a show at The Edinburgh Fringe? Why do you like touring and how do the audiences compare to NZ?
Touring is one of my all time favourite things because you're out and about, seeing new and interesting places, meeting a huge variety of people, and you're on a mission - to make them all laugh! I found the British audiences more eager to laugh than the NZ crowds, and ready to laugh at slightly risque topics or points of view, which we seem to have trouble doing here. Many New Zealand crowds, not so much in rural areas, are very conservative and double think each joke in case it's 'not okay' to laugh at it. It's an odd wee quirk, but I'm sure as a country we'll grow out of it soon enough. The belly laugh is still the best, the one that comes from within, no matter what.

You were nominated for the 2008 Billy T Award and were voted the 2007 Best Male Comedian at the New Zealand Comedy Guild Awards. What difference do these awards make?
A huge difference. To be recognised at any level gives you the credentials and the zest to take you even further, performance-wise and professionally. Along with that, of course, comes the added responsibility to better your act, sharpen up, and deliver the best set you can, every time, but that's a bit of fun too.

What are the strengths and challenges for the NZ comedy scene?
I think one of our main strengths is our willingness to experiment. Many overseas acts have said that New Zealand comics try more new stuff onstage than anywhere else, instead of having their 'one good set' that they drag about with them, and I think that's great.
A challenge here is to not follow the fads on TV, but to set our own standard, a high one. Too often we try to clone an existing overseas show, as if the public wouldn't notice. Another challenge is to be recognised in the first place. There's so much comedy here, but nobody from telly is scouting for it, they're waiting till it comes to them and that's always going to lower the standard.

Tell us about your claymation videos. How did this come about?
I've been doing animation for about 11 years professionally, it all started when I worked for a video production company in Dunedin called The Very Useful Picture Company run by two fantastic guys called Ray and Wayne. Ray let me use the gear to animate with as long as I put it all back, and before too long I was making health and safety videos. I've done stuff for Squirt, Saturday Disney and Studio 2 since then as well.

Who or what has inspired you recently?
The Class Comedians programme, of all things. That's the one run by the Comedy Trust where kids can sign up and take a course to further their comic abilities onstage. I went along to talk to the group about voices and saw the future of comedy sitting in that room. It looked very promising, I can't wait. Also Peter Kay, Eddie Murphy and a bunch of random European TV ads I saw the other day.

If you could go back and choose a completely different career path to the one you've chosen, what would it be?
Working on film sets. I love being part of a team that gets some huge project completed. When I finished working as a lighting assistant on Scarfies in 98, I actually had the choice between working on Xena, and being a talking fish called Hamish on a Kid's show called Squirt. I chose the fish. I suppose that says a lot about my choices in life.

What place is always with you, wherever you go?
Central Otago, especially Lakes Hawea and Wanaka.

What's the best way to listen to music, and why?
I know everyone says this but it really does sound better off a vinyl LP. I enjoy music flat on my back on the couch, working on a soon-to-be-animated character.

You are given a piece of string, a stick and some fabric. What do you make?
Again, some kind of animated character or puppet. See, I can't help myself.

What's the best stress relief advice you've ever been given?
'Come here you...Take my hand.'

What's great about today?
It's been sunny and now it's late and I get to watch one more DVD after I've finished answering these questions, before I go beddy byes.

What's your big idea for 2008?
Make as many people laugh as possible, through all means possible, and let them know where they can find more. There's more good comedy about than ever before, if you know where to look for it, and I've noticed a lot of people about who could do with a good laugh.

Wellington dates: Tuesday 22 – Saturday 26 April, 7pm
Venue: San Francisco Bathhouse, Cuba St, City
Tickets: Adults $18 / Conc. $15 / Groups 6+ $15
(service fees may apply)
Bookings: 0800 TICKETEK, www.ticketek.co.nz ticket price?
Show Duration: 1 hour

Auckland dates: Wednesday 30 April – Saturday 3 May, 10pm
Sunday 4 May, 7.30pm
Venue: The Classic Studio, Level 1, 321 Queen St, City
Tickets: Adults $18 / Conc. $15 / Groups 6+ $15
(service fees may apply)
Bookings: 0800 TICKETEK, www.ticketek.co.nz
Show Duration: 1 hour

26/03/08