I went into Liv Ward's debut solo comedy show in Poneke Wellington with many questions. And, after an hour of absurd theatre, they actually started to feel answered.

Josh Thomson has been in Wellington with his comedy festival show Old Mate which travels to Tamaki Makaurau this coming week. In his new set, he's coming to grips with his mortality, being a middle-aged parent and realising he's no longer the cool young buck he thought he'd always be. The comedian and actor has appeared across both New Zealand and international films and television including Gary of the Pacific, Wellington Paranormal, The Office - Australia, 7 Days, The Project NZ and won awards for his show webseries Subject Dad. He joins Culture 101 for Fast Favourites.

Shiyi Redpath is better known as Lily Catastrophe, a burlesque performer whose debut solo theatre show, Bottom Surgery was a critical hit at this year's New Zealand and Dunedin fringe festivals.

In the 1860s and 70s two Norwegian settlements were established in the lower North Island. As the name of one of those today suggests - Norsewood - Norwegians were invited to settle here to clear a huge swathe of forest known as Seventy Mile Bush. Which makes the arrival of Norwegian novelist Lars Mytting this weekend down the road at Featherston Booktown Karukatea Festival rather apt.

Artist and illustrator Alex Scott's debut graphic novel Episodes has a dedication: "For anyone who's ever fallen for the commercial." Yes, whether it's a catchy theme tune, witty meme, friendly protagonist or memorable refrains, you may find yourself falling in love with an advertisement against your better judgement.

Orson Welles' debut film, Citizen Kane, is often regarded as the most influential film of all time. So, it may surprise you to hear that his second film, released just one year later, has been called "one of film history's great tragedies"; The Magnificent Ambersons.

Dr Kerryn Palmer is a senior lecturer at Te Herenga Waka Victoria University. A seasoned theatre practitioner and teacher, with a PhD in devising theatre for and with young audiences, she is a fierce advocate for the role of theatre and the arts for the young. She currently also facilitates national network PAYPA (Performing Arts and Young People Aotearoa). She believes systematic change is needed and joined Culture 101. https://our.actionstation.org.nz/petitions/reinstate-creatives-in-schools-programme

The phrase 'clown doctor' may lead to memories of Robin Williams' character in the 1998 film Patch Adams. It was a character who was based on a real person. Kiwi theatre maker Phoebe Mason is a real clown doctor at The Humour Foundation in Melbourne; taking theatre, fun, and laughter into hospitals. Several years ago, a nurse studying for her PhD looked at the work of clown doctors and their impact on patients and the working environment. The Royal Children's Hospital then reached out to the Humour Foundation asking for a workshop in which clown principles could be shared with the medical staff as a form of communication training. The results from those workshops have since been published in the Journal of Paediatrics and Child Health. Phoebe Mason is also the creative director of Playback Theatre in Melbourne; a global practice where people's real life stories are shared and a group of performers and musicians improvise and perform it back to the group on the spot to create rapport and understanding. She spoke to Culture 101 about the role of clown doctors and running workshops with medical staff.

Whakatane-based artist Sarah Hudson is this year's Naoshima Artist in Residence. Sarah has now opened her work - Reconciliation at the Setouchi Triennale on Megijima island in Japan, in which she looks at the concept of connection between lands, islands and identity. The Triennale runs until November and the international arts event attracts more than a million visitors each year. The residency is a partnership between McCahon House, Asia New Zealand Foundation and STILL; a community of businesses and projects founded by the Fukutake Family - who are the founders of the Benesse Art Site on Naoshima Island but have lived in New Zealand since 2009. Sarah is also part of the winning Mataaho Collective which took home the Golden Lion at last year's Venice Biennale. Sarah Hudson spoke to Culture 101 before leaving for Japan reflecting on her residency and the upcoming exhibition.

Pat Shortt first made it in comedy in Ireland young, back in the late 1980s before there was even a comedy scene, He was one half of a beloved comedy duo D'Unbelievables. But it was a celebrated TV programme that first aired 30 years ago last month, Father Ted, which Kiwis will remember him from.  While the film work continues, in the last few years Pat has entered into a new popular comedic partnership, on stage and social media. With his daughter, Faye Shortt.