Posts tagged Anil Desai

During the last few weeks I have been searching for my inaugural ‘The Grid’ Comedy Award winner.

I have seen as much live comedy as I can at the NZ International Comedy Festival and feel it’s time to announce my current front runners with only a few days of shows remaining!

Below are my top shows. Click on the links to read the full reviews.

Jason Byrne - The People’s Puppeteer

‘He is an infectious force with provocative material and an innate ability to puppeteer his audience like no comedian I have ever seen.’

Marcel Lucont - Gallic Symbol

‘He really is a pleasure to watch as he cleverly plays his quirky observations in his refreshing style of such obvious disdain that he will have you in fits of giggles.’

Rhys Darby - This Way To Spaceship

‘Rhys Darby has had huge success around the world on TV, film and as a stand –up so it’s a real pleasure to have this Kiwi comic back on stage in New Zealand. The warmth of the audience towards him proved how likable and loved he is.’

Milton Jones

‘He is silly and fun with a cheeky innocence and likeability. His quick wit and ability to meander around his material, seemingly plucking which ever gem he chooses is a true individual talent that must make him the envy of many performers.’

Steve Hughes - Heavy Metal Comedy

‘He obviously has a supremely intelligent comic mind with the ability to weave in the most unexpected of topics and still make you laugh.’

Anil Desai’s Night At The Movies

‘Anil’s hours of movie watching have paid off, as only a true fan could create such brilliant impersonations and even dissect them simply so that you can have a go too.’

Barry Morgan - Barry Morgan’s World of Organs

‘This show is a superbly silly symphony of organtastic double entendre and the sweet sweet sounds of the Hammond Aurora Classic! Barry Morgan’s World of Organs may well be the best piece of organ based comedy in the World!’

Jan Maree - Hairy Today, Gone Tomorrow!

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

The Boy With Tape On His Face - More Tape

‘I am certain in the hands of this muted mastermind that every show will end as this one did, with a standing ovation!’

This shortlist is based purely on my own opinions and does not represent the views of the NZ International Comedy Festival.

I still have lots of shows to see and if you wish for your show to be reviewed by ‘The Grid’ then please do get in touch!

All quotes are from Keeping Up With The Grid! reviews. 

Writing © Keeping Up With The Grid!/Creative Sidekick 2011 - 2012 Ingrid Grenar

I had been looking forward to Anil Desai’s Night At The Movies ever since I first saw the NZ International Comedy Festival programme.

I am a huge movie fan and a huge live comedy fan so the idea of combining them both seemed genius to me.

Anil’s hour show is great for a movie fan as you will not only recognise the actors he impersonates but the classic movie lines he quotes too.

Anil’s love of cinema began at the age of six and has culminated in his adult life into this amazing talent of impersonating some of our favourite movie stars.

His impersonations are spot on, add to that the ability to switch seamlessly between them within anecdotal stand-up and you get this unique and entertaining show.

I loved his movie trailers which starred three of the heavy hitters of cinema; Tom Cruise, Johnny Depp and Keanu Reeves, all expertly imitated and caricatured.

The audience can get involved too, which was to the particular joy of one young man in the crowd who couldn’t wait to jump on stage with Anil, having seen his show at last year’s festival.

Anil banters with the audience a few times during the show but talks of his ineptitude at dealing with hecklers, so it is in his impersonations where he truly shines.

One of the highlights had to be when Al Pacino and Robert De Niro both get involved in Anil’s personal life, along with a shorter Jeff Goldblum of course!

You will be surprised at how many perfect impersonations Anil can portray and indeed how many famous voices you instantly recognise.

Anil’s hours of movie watching have paid off, as only a true fan could create such brilliant impersonations and even dissect them simply so that you can have a go too. 

Here I am with Anil trying to learn the Robert De Niro face!

Anil really loves what he does. His talent, abilities and comedic instincts have made him a deserving international success.

You can see Anil Desai’s Night At The Movies until 12 May at The Loft at Q, Auckland as part of the NZ International Comedy Festival.

Wow what an amazing first week it’s been! It’s already time to look ahead to week two!

The NZ International Comedy Festival kicked off on Friday 27 April with the monster that is the Comedy Gala. 

It as great to see this aired on TV so we all got a taste of the great acts we could see this year at the festival.

I have been busy watching and reviewing shows so have a look around my blog to see my reviews from the last week.

The live stuff is big this week so lets get started!

My first pick has to be Rhys Darby with his show This Way to Spaceship at SKYCITY Theatre from Tuesday 8 May until Saturday 12 May at 8pm With Support Act Steve Hughes.

If the world is ending this year Rhys Darby has a plan. He’s fairly sure the superpowers each have a spaceship ready to launch on the eve of Armageddon. The trick is… to get onboard!

This new stand-up show accompanies the release of Rhys’ first novel, This Way to Spaceship, a handy autobiographical end of world companion. 

There’s more as Rhys Darby will appear in conversation talking about his new book This Way To Spaceship with Tim Wilson on Sat 12 May as part of the Auckland Writers & Readers Festival.  www.writersfestival.co.nz

It’s definitely time to jump onboard! Bookings: 0800 TICKETEK (842 538)

Chris Martin No. Not That One promises us some laughs through this hour show with the plus of no songs and no Gwyneth Paltrow!

You can catch this UK comedian at The Basement Studio, Auckland 8 - 12 May

Bookings: 0800 TICKETEK (842 538)

My next pick is a UK comedian Milton Jones whose show has come to The Classic for the Festival and continues this week untilo 12 May 7pm.

The show is sure to be a cleaver and surreal journey from the current Chortle website ‘Headliner of the Year’.

He is a regular on UK panel shows and the king of surreal one liners so check out this hour of inventive comedy this week. 

Bookings: 0800 TICKETEK (842 538)

Another UK comedian who I believe is going to add variety to your comedy itinerary is Anil Desai who gives you Anil Desai’s Night At The Movies

Anil returns to New Zealand with a brand new show, which through his amazing impersonations, will feature many big Hollywood stars as well as movie trailers and clever slick stand up.

He will be performing at Loft at Q 305 Queen Street from 8 May - 12 May at 7.15pm

BOOKiNGS: 093099771

More from the UK with Terry Alderton show You’ll Be Glad to See the Back of Him who is joining us in NZ  following his sell out 2012 tour in the UK and after being voted the #1 comedian by The Sun in 2011.

He was a favourite at the NZ Comedy Festivals 2010 & 2011 so book early!

Terry is performing at the Q Theatre from 7 – 12 May

BOOKINGS: 093099771

My final recommendation for the week is one for all the Family and one where you don’t need to worry about getting a baby sitter in as Mr Boon will entertain you all.

Mr Boon’s Fairy Tales is a show that is suitable for all ages, but ideal for ages four and up.

Join Mr. Boon and his usual gang of characters as he takes you on a journey through the magical world of fairy tales. Princesses, wicked witches, princes, bean-stalks, magical potions, audience participation, cream pies and ukuleles - it’s all there.

You can see Mr Boon at Loft at Q 305 Queen Street from 5 May,12 May and 19 May at 11 am.

BOOKiNGS: 093099771

As I said last week there is just so much to see over this amazing festival so I am only able to make a selection of my personal choice if you want the full line up please go to the NZ International Comedy Festival Website.