To my shame this was the first female comedians show I have seen at the NZ International Comedy Festival, but what a way to start! (Never fear I have a few more on my list this week).

From the minute a glam Jan Maree bounced and Croatian danced on to the stage it wasn’t just her outfit that got my attention, it was her confidence. She has the perfect level of self assurance and likability which instantly endeared her to me.

Her hour show is like having a really good pub conversation. Those ones that just flow out and go off in tangents, often ending in sentiment but always making you laugh along the way.

Hairy Today, Gone Tomorrow is Jan’s story of her heritage, and how trying to find her roots brought her full circle back in to the embracing arms of Aotearoa.

There are brilliant characters that emerge from her retrospective look of how she experienced her heritage growing up, including her frightening older relations and the embarrassment of her Croatian surname.

Her antidotes cover various aspects of her life many of which relate to her having inherited ‘the shit bits’ of being Croatian, sporning the hilarious benediction of the wax ninja!

Here is a picture of me and Jan after the show where I manage to look like a 12 year old stalker!

Jan has made her life affirming journey into a genius hour of joyful anecdotes and observations.

It comes as no surprise that Jan Maree was a Fred Award Winner in 2011. She has honed her skills to become a fantastically versatile performer who not only makes you laugh but really connects with her audience.

For these reasons I am adding her to my shortlist for the inaugral ‘The Grid’ Comedy Award 2012!

You have three more chances to see Jan’s show at the Vault at Q Theatre, so check out her out!