Årets komiker i Sverige 2011
Al Pitcher
Al Pitcher fick nyligen priset som årets bästa manliga komiker på Svenska Stand up-galan (ett pris som tidigare bland annat gått till Johan Glans och Henrik Schyffert). Vi passade på att ställa några frågor till pristagaren som numera bor i Sverige, men ursprungligen är från Nya Zeeland.
Congratulations on winning the award for best comedian in Sweden 2011. You have only lived in Sweden for a short time, were you surprised to get the award?
Yeah, I’m always surprised to win anything even a scratch card. It’s a really great feeling, I have always felt very, very welcome by everyone here but now the industry has spoken. Now I'm not the underdog anymore, the unknown package, I’ve got the biggest stamp of approval, it feels awesome.
How did you celebrate?
I stayed at the Svenska Stand up-galan after party till twelve, which is pretty rock 'n' roll for me. Then I went home, had a hot chocolate and some cheese on toast. No TVs thrown out the hotel room, just felt very happy and very humbled that I had won an award in Sverige.
You are originally from New Zealand and you were already a popular comedian in England. How come you moved to Sweden of all places?
Love!! Wouldn’t you travel across Europe or the World for Love? Oh, and I was really finding London too crazy, I’m from a small place in New Zealand.
What’s the weirdest thing about Sweden?
That they are stiff and boring, I don’t agree with this at all. I’ve had some of my most fun shows here, once you get the audience chatting and getting involved it’s awesome.
What do you like most about Sweden?
That I can look at things from different perspective than most comedians. I am always amazed by the blue bags on the feet, but a Swedish comedian can’t really say things like that, they have grown up with everything, so for me everything is brand new, it’s like a comedic Disneyland. I’m not a nasty comedian, I see the positive aspect on everything, even the blue bags.
You are well known for your interaction with the audience. Could you tell us more about that?
I think a comedy show should be this one-off moment, I think the audience get bored and I would get bored myself if I was saying exactly the same material each show, each night. So I think its really more exciting and more rewarding if the show is almost a customised performance for that audience.
Could you tell us more about your concept “The Al Pitcher Picture Show”?
It was an idea that came to me three years ago, again it was about showing the audience that you had tasted their town or done your research. So I get to the city or venue as early as I can, I walk around the area, conference, town etc and I take photos. I then do the show that evening from the photos I have taken with them on a big screen and projected through my laptop. It’s an upbeat show, I’ve won three awards with it and it’s great to perform!
You won the award for best male comedian, and your friend Martin Lagos won the award for best new comedian. What’s the secret behind the success? Do you learn a lot from each other?
I’m Gandalf and he is my Frodo. He’s very much a soundboard for me for new ideas; he’s going to go far that little hobbit. He’s very very good.
Why should people hire Al Pitcher to their next event or conference?
Because I care, because I want the company to have its best event! Here in Sverige I’ve had amazing company shows because the audiences have been so up for it. Also I love it to be about the company and about the personnel so it’s really unique. By the way tack tack to Talarforum, you have helped me loads and long may comedy continue.
