Stories From The Pitch   /     Busker HoF 104 – Fergus Aitken

Description

Episode Notes Interview by: Kim PotterInterviewee: Fergus AitkenOriginal Recording Date: August 15, 2019Date Aired: October 15, 2019Music: Opening Music: “Look at ME” by: .357 Lover as found on ‘The Purchase of the North Pole’ recording.Closing Music: “Thank You” by: .357 Lover as played on the ‘Diorama of the Golden Lion’ recording. Mixed and … Continue reading →

Summary

In this episode, Kiwi performer and all around goof ball, Kim Potter sat down with Fergus Aitken, aka Mr. Fungus. For those who may be unfamiliar with him, in Kim’s words: He was one of the more publicly visible performers on the scene in New Zealand, along with acts like The Shenanagan Brothers, John Davy also known as Mr. Moon, Hefty Geoff and the first wave of UK imports, among them, Dave Sheridan, Nick Nikolas, and Richard Handley.

In 1992 he coordinated the "Lotto World Buskers Festival" which was part of the Intl Festival Of The Arts in Wellington. Through that and a few other festivals in Wellington and around the country, he became (and remains) one of the first performers that Joe Public was aware of by name. He's also taught mime and movement consistently throughout NZ over the last 30 years, including at CircoArts in Christchurch, as well as numerous juggling and circus festivals, so several generations have taken the basics from him and run with them.... The chops he learned at Covent Garden and brought home to New Zealand have been disseminated through several generations of New Zealand performers.