Favourite things: Funny business

One of Justine Smith's favourite things. Photo / Babiche Martens

Justine Smith is an award winning comedian with razor-sharp wit and a well-rounded sense of humour - two qualities reflected in her eclectic list of 10 favourite things, which range from a vintage clown to an egg and chicken alarm clock.

Smith will perform her show, Jussi Town, as part of the New Zealand Comedy Festival from May 4, as well as hosting the Comedy Divas show. Her largely retro-inspired list of things also reflects her other job - when she's not on stage being funny - working at one of our favourite vintage stores, Aunty Mavis. She talks us through her picks.

10 FAVOURITE THINGS

1. Vintage clown
From St Kilda's Luna Park. I bought it while living in Melbourne and even though it cost me an arm and a leg to get it home, I'm glad I did. I'm not usually a huge fan of clowns, but this guy has the word happy on him, so how could I resist?

2. Black and white photo
An old black and white photo of my grandfather, Bill Ramsay, who was a stand-up comedian and banjo player in Christchurch in the 50s and 60s. It is a beautiful portrait of him, as he is really "in the moment" and connecting with the audience. This photo sits on my fireplace and also features in my new show, as it happens.

3. Yellow Billy T towel
I won this as part of the Billy T award in 2003 - one of the best nights of my life, I was so proud. I ended up victoriously wearing it as a turban to the White Lady for a burger at 4 in the morning.

4. Muppet show Piggy and Kermit soap on a rope
This was bought for me by Elephant Publicity when they produced my show in 2004. I love The Muppets so much, to be the special guest on The Muppet Show and sing a song to someone's hand was a dream of mine from childhood.

5. Costume National shoes
Call me shallow, but my pair of handmade, leather and crocodile skin Costume National shoes, given to me by my great buddy Mark Crane from Wunderkammer for my 40th birthday. Even when worn with a Glassons dress they make me feel like a rock star.

6. Little House on the Prairie box set
I was so into these books as a child, and when I was roadtripping in the United States I made my boyfriend of the time sleep overnight in the back of our van in freezing cold weather so I could visit the Little House museum in South Dakota. It was so amazing, like stepping into my childhood imagination. I still read one every now and then, like comfort food.

7. Bette Midler record collection
I do still secretly think she is in fact my birth mother, but that court case is still pending. Nothing better than a bit of vacuuming and Bette giving it some justice through the speakers. Although I do not play these records if any of the male comics are coming over, because it just ain't worth the grief.

8. Crown Lynn dinnerset
This beautiful Crown Lynn dinnerset, Rose Red, that I have started to collect through working in Aunty Mavis, a new vintage and retro store in St Kevin's Arcade. I love old Kiwiana that is gorgeous to look at and practical - like the perfect man.

9. Egg and chicken alarm clock
This was given to me years ago by my sister Amanda, who lives in Japan. Shaped like an egg, it makes gentle clucking noises to wake you up. I need a slow awakening, as rumour has it I can be a little grumpy in the morning. It travels everywhere with me.

10. Cookie bear
I've had this little guy since I was 7. We have been through a lot together, and he has seen some things no bear should ever see. He has gone a bit lumpy in his old age, but haven't we all?

* Jussi Town, 4-8 May, The Basement Theatre, Auckland. Tickets from 0800 TICKETEK or ticketek.co.nz.