Good caught up with Hayley Sproull ahead of her appearances at the NZ International Comedy Festival this May.
You have a background in drama and performing arts – what inspired you to pursue comedy?
I got to drama school wanting to be a serious Shakespearean actor and probably hoped an Oscar nomination would come shortly after. Then I realised I wasn’t actually that good at it, and didn’t really enjoy it, and all I wanted to do was make people laugh all day, every day. So comedy became my one and only focus and thank god. It’s way more fun.
You’ve been involved in both comedy and acting. How do you approach these different mediums, and which one feels more fulfilling for you?
I love acting and pretending to be someone else – it feels like you’re a child at play and that is so fulfilling. But comedy, and making people laugh, is my drug. Nothing fills my cup more than making people chuckle. I prefer being myself, and allowing people to laugh at themselves through laughing at me.
Have you had a particularly memorable or challenging moment that stands out to you in your various comedy roles (whether hosting or on stage) over the years?
I once made a comedy show about being white Māori, and while I was singing, this person off their rocker stumbled onto stage and grabbed the mic and started singing Hotel California. The audience was in shock. It was very embarrassing for them, so I just started singing it with them, put my arm around their shoulder, still singing, and sung them all the way out the door. Weirdest heckle yet.
What has been your career highlight in your comedy career so far?
Too many. I definitely never thought I would make a show worthy of a Fred Award nomination so that happening last year felt like a dream.
Who are your biggest role models in the comedy industry, and why?
My favourite comedian of all time is the one and only Billy Connolly. I’m not a huge punch line comic and just love the way he makes us laugh through telling wild stories with ridiculous tangents. In NZ, if I could perform on stage with the command, control and confidence of Justine Smith I’d be pretty bloody happy. She is the funniest woman I know.
Who are you 3 favourite current or upcoming female comedians (both NZ or international is fine), and why?
This is hard because the women are killing it right now. It’s got to be Justine Smith because she is SO pro, SO funny and has the most outrageous throw away lines ever. Mel Bracewell because her writing is second to none and she smashes EVERYTHING she does. And Brynley Stent because she sees the world in such a unique and ridiculous way, I could watch her for hours.
What is your favourite way to relax?
A glass of prosecco on the deck with my cat on my lap and some Queen on the speakers.
What’s your favourite or go-to dinner recipe or cocktail that you like to make?
Cocktail! I make many a good cocktail. Hugo Spritz is my go-to for summer, and Negronis in winter.
What is your favourite book you’ve read recently?
A Little Life by Hanya Yanagihara. Instagram told me it would destroy me and it did. I guess I decided I had too much joy in my life and wanted a hard smack of sadness and this book did that.
What would be your top tip for anyone considering pursuing a career in comedy or the performing arts?
Don’t wait for anyone to open the door for you – you’ve got to put yourself out there in a thousand different ways and carve your own way there.
See Hayley Sproull at the NZ International Comedy Festival as the host of the Best Foods Comedy Gala 2 May (Auckland) and 3 May (Wellington) and with her show The Baroness 7 – 10 May (Wellington) & 16 May (Auckland).
