Witty queen Georgie Sivier runs The PlaySpace Theatre Company, which focuses on making accessible, innovative and honest theatre. She’s started dabbling in the world of drag artistry, and her alter ego, Tony Chestnut, will have you chuckling along with his scandalous and sexy performances.

How did you stumble into comedy? I studied at the New Zealand College of Performing Arts in Wellington and after I finished I worked on a pilot TV show. While I was working on that I was dared to try stand-up.

What’s your day job and how does that fit in with your comedy? Comedy is actually my day job. I’m very lucky I run a theatre company called The PlaySpace Theatre Company.

What words of advice do you have for aspiring comics out there? Your audience is so important – it doesn’t matter how funny you think your joke is, listen to the audience, they’ll tell you.

Do you have a pre- or post-show ritual? I like to write out my set on a piece of paper while slurping on a beer – it’s not really very poetic but that’s my ritual.

What’s the comedy scene like in Christchurch? The comedy scene, like any industry, has its road bumps, but the real pros of the comedy scene look out for others around them because they know we are all in this together.

What or who do you find funny? My mum is hilarious, she often tells me something that will make me laugh uncontrollably and then say ‘You can’t use that in your comedy!’

What’s the most common misconception about comedians? I think the most common misconception is that local comedy isn’t good. There are some incredible performers in Christchurch.

Highlight of your time as a comedian so far? A real highlight has been creating my drag character, Tony Chestnut, and joining with other drag artists to create the show Tony Chestnut and the Ghosts of Girlfriends Past.

Funniest moment on stage? I think it has to be when I went up to Auckland and bombed on stage in a shark costume in front of 400 people – embarrassing!

How do you relax and unwind? I love my Shakti Mat – I get really bad back pain so that mat is a lifesaver.

If you could invite any three people living or dead to a dinner party, who would they be and why? Shakespeare (theatre hero, cliché I know!), Katherine Ryan (she’s so funny!) and Alan Rickman.

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