On April 26th the Civil Union law comes into effect, so union ceremonies in Aotearoa are about to get a whole lot more interesting, and the creative community is bound to play a part in that. Florian Habicht used to photograph weddings to pay for his filmmaking. Artist Yvonne Todd honed her photography skills as a wedding photographer?

To mark the occasion we interview comedienne Penny Ashton aka Hot Pink (the one in the wig and bodice on the right) who is a recently certified civil union celebrant.

TBI: So you have had wedding ceremonies as part of your show for awhile - was it a natural step for you to become a fully certified civil union celebrant?

Penny A: Haha never thought of that. No I've been really interested in pursuing the path for a while. Pinky Agnew is a wedding celebrant and her weddings are wonderful happy occasions and I think I could recreate that. On April 26th the Civil Union law comes into effect, so union ceremonies in Aotearoa are about to get a whole lot more interesting, and the creative community is bound to play a part in that. Florian Habicht used to photograph weddings to pay for his filmmaking. Artist Yvonne Todd honed her photography skills as a wedding photographer?

To mark the occasion we interview comedienne Penny Ashton aka Hot Pink (the one in the wig and bodice on the right) who is a recently certified civil union celebrant.

TBI: So you have had wedding ceremonies as part of your show for awhile - was it a natural step for you to become a fully certified civil union celebrant?

Penny A: Haha never thought of that. No I've been really interested in pursuing the path for a while. Pinky Agnew is a wedding celebrant and her weddings are wonderful happy occasions and I think I could recreate that.Penny A: The waitlist for wedding celebrants is very long so I thought civil unioning would be a great way to get into the whole world. Especially as I am soooo proud of NZ for passing such progressive legislation on gay rights. I am chuffed to be chosen.

TBI: What does comedy bring to a 'union' ceremony?
Penny A: It's not so much outright comedy as an ability to connect with an audience and make everyone feel at home and welcome. A stage presence, if you will, that performers have. But I love story-telling and it's great to interweave stories from the happy couple's life along with the legal requirements. Nothing like a proposal story trekking in the Andes to spice up a ceremony.

TBI:So what's the ultimate Penny A 'union' ceremony?
Penny A: OOhhhh, are we talking me being unioned or me unioning. Uhhh Bubbles, beautiful garden setting, relaxing vibe, and lots of anecdotes to make everyone laugh and maybe cry a bit too. No uptight mothers.

TBI:And what's the ultimate Penny A 'union' location?
Penny A: I conducted a ceremony at Bethell's beach on a cliff top, overlooking the black sand, which was amazing. Failing that Paris would be divine. I'm available if anyone wants to fly me there. Hell I'm available if someone wants to fly me to Timaru.

TBI:I know you like that centre stage thing. What measures are you taking to stop yourself potentially upstaging the bride - or - running off with the bridegroom for that matter?

Penny A:Well at a same sex civil union the bridegroom won't want me. All the wrong bits! Also I'm sure 2 boys getting married will have it all over me when it comes to wedding glamour. Versace vs Glassons, hhhmmmm. Other than that I will be the picture of muted style, I'll leave the peacock feathers to the boys and the leather to the girls. As for hetero civil unions I'll dress like the bride's Mum.

Penny A: Now here's a question? Why should people come and see MC Hot Pink in Busty Rhymes?

TBI::Yes why would that be?

Penny A: Because my bra fits my head. Nuff said

Check out the Busty Rhymes gig guide at www.hotpink.co.nz