She has represented New Zealand in Theatresports and Performance Poetry and has performed by invitation at The Glastonbury Festival and Jane Austen Festival in Bath.
She last performed in Hawke's Bay at last year's Hawke's Bay Arts Festival, selling out the spiegeltent with 'Promise and Promiscuity'.
"It was just awesome. The tent was packed and I got a standing ovation. That doesn't happen often in New Zealand — obviously I'm very good," she laughed.
This gig is her first since " the madness which seems like a million years ago now".
"I'm really looking forward to it."
During lockdown she painted the kitchen, did some sewing, wrote, gardened and planned for the future.
"At first I thought it [lockdown] was going to be very long. I was gutted because I had so much work booked. But in fact with my husband working from home making me coffee and the Government's wage subsidy I found myself relaxing. Before that I was always hustling — I didn't have to do that.
"However, I can't wait to get back on the stage. When I'm not in front of an audience I tend to go a bit mad.
"And ladies bring your husbands or male friends. I have lost count of the times concert-goers have said to me 'I wish I had bought my husband, he would have loved it'.
"One man said to me 'shows like yours add spice to life'."
She has been on the stage since she started ballet at age 4.
"I had a brief break while in London for three years. I have learned that if you don't make your own work no one cares. I was getting frustrated at not having any roles so decided to write my own.
"That led to some poetry and then stand up comedy. I need laughter and applause - the feedback is so positive when you see people having fun and laughing. It's really uplifting."
She is excited to be coming to Hawke's Bay. "We are planning a holiday while there. It's a lovely gastronomical place to visit.
"I am also really looking forward to performing at Toitoi. The arts are a vital part of any community and the Buy NZ Made push extends to the arts."
Ashton has performed this show all over the world and received rave reviews everywhere she goes.
■ Unfortunately due to new community outbreak of Covid-19 in Auckland, Promise & Promiscuity by Penny Ashton & Jane Austen has been postponed. Toitoi is working very closely with the show's writer and star, Penny Ashton, to secure new dates. All tickets to Promise & Promiscuity will automatically be transferred to their new dates, once confirmed. If you cannot make the new dates, please contact Ticketek directly, by emailing online@ticketek.co.nz
