About...
- Name
- Philip Patston
- Big Idea
A fruity tofu-laden spin on life that only a gay, vegetarian, wheelchair-addicted comedian could possibly come up with...
Philip Patston's unique, laconic style of comedy has made him one of New Zealand's most well-known and successful comedians.
Philip appeared as a feature act in all but one series of the popular TV show Pulp Comedy, performed in several comedy and arts festivals in New Zealand, Australia and Canada (in August 2001), and had a brief but acclaimed role in the local hit soap Shortland Street. In 1999 he was a recipient of a "Billy T" grant, awarded each year to two comedians in recognition of their strong contribution to, and future potential in, the NZ comedy industry. To top it off he was named gay TV series Queer Nation's inaugural Queer of the Year.
Philip is insightful and perceptive, taking the audience into a different realm of reality and awareness. His precise wording, clever mix of metaphors and relaxed delivery grabs your attention as he sets out to toy with mainstream society's perception of minority issues, men, anti-smoking ads, cake and, among other important social phenomena, shoes.
His versatility has landed a diverse range of gigs - everything from a gay youth suicide conference, to the beer tent of Auckland University Students Association's 1999 Orientation.
They say great comedy is drawn from the reframed tragedy of life experience. Who better to expect to do this than a self-confessed gay vegetarian with a wheelchair-addiction, whose therapist ended up needing therapy.
"I have spent six years putting a totally different slant on the single white male condition - a fruity tofu-laden spin on life that only a gay, wheelchair-using vegetarian could possibly come up with. From the moment I roll onto stage, the audience are rolling in the aisles.
"If comedy were a road of busy traffic, I drive in the bus lane, confident in the hope that there is more than one way to get to wherever it is that comedians go. Gay, disabled and vegetarian from birth, I like to think I'm doing to comedy what Stephen Hawking has done to science - talking a bit funny while adding to the richness that already exists."
Contact Details
- philip@diversityworks.co.nz
- Organisation Website URL
- http://www.PhilipPatston.com
History
- Member for
- 8 years 15 weeks
Connected With
Events
- Date3 Dec 2009Venue
Whangarei Central Library at 12.30pm and the Whangarei Art Museum at 5.30pm
What do you call a comedian who doesn’t want to have to be funny anymore? A poet on a mission.
Gay, disabled comedian, social entrepreneur – and now poet – Philip Patston will perform his unique brand of poetry to Whangarei to celebrate the United Nations International Day of Disabled Persons on 3 December.
- Date20 Oct 2009Venue
The Thirsty Dog Tavern Cnr K'Rd and Howe St
The serious and not so serious poetry of Philip Patston: performed LIVE!
- Date2 May 2009 - 9 May 2009Venue
Auckland, The Herald Theatre, Aotea Centre, THE EDGE®
And Wellington details are coming soon.....
Not many stand-up comedians are openly gay, fewer still are disabled. Either way, he wants to give you a bit of what he’s got.
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