Almost every New Zealander has been touched by cancer in some way. That’s why a group of past and present comedians – including Weekly columnists Michèle A’Court and Jeremy Corbett – are using their laughs for a good cause. They’re raising funds for the Malaghan Institute of Medical Research.
David Downs, 54
What are your fears about performing comedy for the first time in years?
That I will forget my routine, but hey, if Jeremy Corbett can remember his lines, then I should be able to!
Share a funny memory with one of your fellow performers.
Jon [Bridges], Jeremy and I did a show in Queenstown years ago, and we discovered the producer had skipped out with the takings. We had to go around town trying to find him and act all macho to get him to pay us.
How has cancer touched your life?
I had terminal cancer eight years ago and was saved by the same sort of treatment the Malaghan Institute is developing. I had to raise a crazy amount of money (estimated $1.7 million at one stage!), and my comedy friends were a big part of helping me. The institute is building medical infrastructure so Kiwi patients don’t have to travel overseas or bankrupt themselves to access the very best treatments.
Michèle A’Court, 64
Share a funny memory with one of your fellow performers.
Emma [Lange] and I did a show in the ’90s with Jaq Tweedie, called “Ultra Super Vixen Women with Really Enormous Tits”. For our publicity shoot, we hired fake plastic boobs. I was the oldest and was post-breastfeeding, and we all somehow agreed that I would get the sad and floppy set.
How has cancer touched your life?
My darling friend Kathryn died of cancer in 1988 and I miss her every day. My closest friend Lesley has survived cancer twice – we lost her mother to cancer 40 years ago. I have a list that is too long of relatives and friends we have lost or who are dealing with cancer today.
If you could swap lives with anyone for a day, who would it be?
My cat Satchmo – sunshine, pats and free biscuits. Bliss!
Emma Lange, 52
What is your favourite thing about being a performer?
The feeling of connection to people, to God, to joy and doing what I know how to do.
Tell us about the weirdest gig you’ve ever done.
Being mute for an entire television series. I said nothing for 12 episodes. I loved it.
After years away, what has been the best thing about returning to the stage?
Awakening to a sense of community and purpose, and feeling alive again.
Who would you choose to play you in the movie of your life?
Dylan Moran. He gets absurdism, how life is made up, the need to embrace struggle with wryness, and he has the right amount of handsomeness and hidden joy.
Jeremy Corbett, 63
Tell us about the weirdest gig you’ve ever done.
The Rheineck Rock Festival in 1987. A few of us from Palmerston North’s comedy community were enlisted to perform between bands. We had things thrown at us, and I learned comedy and rock ’n’ roll don’t mix.
Who would you choose to play you in the movie of your life?
Paul Ego. He’s quite a good actor and the thought of him hating having to be me every day on set is strangely satisfying.
What’s the most unexpected thing that has come from your career?
Being invited to emcee company events. It wasn’t a goal, but getting to meet such a wide variety of talented Kiwis doing amazing work makes me proud.
Jon Bridges, 59
What are you most excited about returning to the stage?
To feel that elemental, inner terror that always builds to a gut-ball of a crescendo just before you go on. Harnessing that terror, turning it into energy and bursting onto the stage like a ball of fire.
Tell us about the last gig you remember performing.
I performed stand-up comedy dressed as a bee. The bee-human humour crossover is quite narrow and only a few people got my buzz. Imagine how hard you laughed when you read the words “got my buzz”, and you’ll get a feeling for how it was in the room that night.
If you could instantly master any skill, what would it be?
Flying. I think this would be a game-changer for me personally.
For tickets to Laughter is the Best Medicine (apart from immunotherapy) on Saturday, October 18, visit Eventbrite.co.nz and search the show under “Queenstown events”.
