We Are Currently Experiencing Some Issues
Herald Theatre, Aotea Centre, The Edge, Auckland
12/05/2009 - 16/05/2009
NZ International Comedy Festival 2007-09, 2013
Production Details
Comics trade stand up for slapstick to break new ground in local comedy
Five of our most talented comic performers break with tradition by joining forces with a theatre director to challenge the status quo of the live comedy experience. The heady fusion of high energy slapstick and grandiose characters will have audiences in hysterics when We Are Currently Experiencing Some Issues goes live at the Herald Theatre from May 12 -16.
Welcome to the fast-paced world of live television broadcast. Witness the on and off camera action as your dedicated and eccentric cast deliver another stellar episode of a much loved show to a record national audience . You’ll be amazed at their stamina as they take on the challenge of filling every second of the prime time slot complete with advertisements, announcements and news breaks.
The studio springs into a flurry of action which escalates and quickly builds to fever pitch. A special guest is added to the mix at this point of chaos to help the cast make it through to the next break. This special ‘cameo appearance’ brings a local celebrity to the stage every night of the Auckland season. Watch our star guest and comic characters in full flight as they deploy wit, music, live foley, props, stunts and every trick in the book to bring the manic hour to a glorious and nail biting close…. Until next week!
Names of celebrity guests will be announced shortly, however the schedule of cameos is to remain a surprise so audiences won’t know who is due to appear on any given night! Audience participation has been strictly banned from this production, but there may be an opportunity for a willing member of the public to get involved in the nightly studio madness. More on this in the weeks to come!
We Are Currently Experiencing Some Issues draws together a highly talented and well respected group of NZ comedians including Jamie Bowen (TV3’s ‘A Thousand Apologies’), Simon McKinney (2007 Best Male Comedian), Brett O’Gorman (‘Reindeer Monologues’, Gary), Toni Potter (‘Shortland St’) and Justine Smith (2008 Best Female Comedian). Director, Ben Crowder (Theatre Stampede) will bring his wealth of experience in theatre into the arena of live comedy.
We Are Currently Experiencing Some Issues is an exciting new development in the local comedy scene as it offers an alternative to the often lonely process of creating a stand up show. This exciting new collaboration is certain to deliver one of the most hilarious and original comedy shows of 2009.
We Are Currently Experiencing Some Issues is part of the 2009 NZ International Comedy Festival and plays:
Herald Theatre, Aotea Centre, The Edge
Tues 12 – Sat 16 May at 7pm
Book: 0800BUYTICKETS (289 842)
Tickets: $20-25 (plus fees) Groups +8 $18
Show Duration: One hour
- plus nightly guest cameo appearances
1hr, no interval
Wickedly funny scenarios
Review by Sian Robertson 13th May 2009
In a disorganised television station with trailing standards, its reporters are caught behind the scenes and on air as they fumble their cues, misplace their interviewees and struggle with personal relationships.
They multi-task to pull together a live-to-air show featuring, well, whatever they can throw together to fill a time slot, from insubstantial news bulletin, to Jesus infomercial, to squeamish celebrity doctor, to far-fetched ‘historical’ re-enactments. Not unlike the real thing, really.
What great chemistry – it’s a pleasure to watch these five New Zealand comedians spark off each other and support each other superbly. They are lusty, inventive and satirical. Part of the appeal is how much fun they’re obviously having themselves.
There are some wickedly funny scenarios, my favourites being the ‘history channel’ re-enactment of a Nazi celebration where some puns got horribly misconstrued and changed the course of history; the trials and tribulations of trying to order Chinese takeaways; ‘Days and Nights in the Lives of the Restless’.
Simon McKinney does a Pythonesque piss-take of Antiques Roadshow. In another scene, he exploits his reputation as a master of sound effects, clearly enjoying getting to parody himself, and it’s infectious.
Toni Potter is hilarious as the ditsy weather girl and the fiendishly clingy girlfriend.
Justine Smith is as usual a crack-up, playing an intense Chinese restaurant owner, clueless journalist, swooning daytime soap star, cheesy ad extra, and she channels a gorilla and a chicken with aplomb.
Jamie Bowen has a very expressive face. He’s hilariously animated and dives headlong into a number of weird characters in various ‘ads’ and ‘special feature’ spots.
Brett O’Gorman is spot-on as the bored reporter and the harassed boyfriend.
I’ve no complaints, really. The audience laughed a lot, we had fun, the time flew. I wouldn’t have minded if it was a bit longer.
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