Posts tagged Ingrid Grenar comedy reviews

I can’t believe how quickly the last two weeks have gone by and I have laughed, giggled, tittered and chuckled my way through them.

I have seen 18 shows and counting and I have even announced my very own inaugural ‘The Grid’ Comedy Award 2012, click here to see my shortlist so far. Watch this space as more will be added during the week!

I have had the chance see some of the Worlds best comedians but now its the last week of the NZ International Comedy Festival so its your last chance to get out there and get your laugh on. Here are my picks for the final week of the festival.

Kicking off this week is the international Kiwi success Boy With Tape On His Face

The boy returns to NZ with a new show More Tape which follows his sell out appearance at the festival in 2011. He has has phenomenal success of in the UK including appearances on the Royal Variety Performance in December, and the Comedy Proms at the Royal Albert Hall.

So catch this new Kiwi comedy legend in a limited season of six shows at Rangatira Q Theatre 14 May - 19 May.

BOOKINGS: 093099771

My next pick is the Scottish bestselling author, playwright and award-winning stand-up Janey Godley

Her hour show will take you through some extraordinary events from personal disasters and strange-but-true happenings.

She performs at The Classic from 14 May - 19 May 8.30pm.

Bookings: 0800 TICKETEK (842 538)

Ben Hurley and Steve Wrigley have teamed up for the their first Festival show together.

The TV3 7 Days stars will deliver stand-up and unplanned banter alongside guest comedians and musicians. 

Check out this Kiwi comedy duo at Rangatria at Q Theatre 15 - 19 May from 9pm.

BOOKINGS: 093099771

Following seeing my next pick at a New Faces show in week one I can’t wait to see his full show. Guy Williams On the Verge of Nothing is a Billy Award nominee show!

This young comedian who worked his slightly geeky image well I found him to be clever and original mixing excellently delivered jokes with more random visual ones.

 I definitely wanted to see more from him and so should you,descrived as, “Tosser“ Paul Henry, Australian Woman’s Weekly how could you resist? 

Guy Williams is on at The Classic Studio 14 - 19 May. 

Bookings: 0800 TICKETEK (842 538)

For a combination of stand-up and characters then check out Tarun Mohanbhai and his show Joke in he Box.

After 10 years writing and performing the successful play, D’arranged Marriage from London to Mumbai, Vancouver to Dunedin, Tarun returns to the festival with a brand new comedy play.

Tarun plays successful comic  Ziggy who decides to reinvent himself much to the horror of his agent!

Tarun is at the Vault at Q from 15 - 19 May

Bookings: 093099771

Following the the success of his TV show Wilson Dixon - A NZ Tour, everyone’s favourite cowboy from Cripple Creek performs in SKYCITY Theatre for three very special shows.

Wilson Dixon’s shows have sold out for the last 3 years so book soon to see him play a mix of old favourites and a few new tunes in this show Wilson Dixon Greatest Hits.

You don’t want to miss his stories of his most recent travels not to mention his horse Andrew’s court appearance. 

The show is on from the 17 - 19 May at SKYCITY Theatre.

Bookings: 0800 TICKETEK (842 538)

Its the last day of the festival and what better way to send it than with this final pick.

Last Laughs on Sunday 20 May at SKYCITY Theatre will bring together all the best of the festival during a 2 hour showcase.

Hosted by Festival favourite Te Radar and featuring performances by the winner of the 2012 Raw Comedy Quest, nominees for the Billy T & Fred Awards this show will bring you  comedy excellence at all levels of the industry.  The Billy T & Fred Awards will be judged on the night so you can be there to see who takes out these top prizes!

Bookings: 0800 TICKETEK (842 538)

I hope these weekly picks have helped decide which shows to see, its going to seem like an empty place when the festival is over to remember to keep live comedy alive and support your local comedy clubs and comedy nights.

Looking forward to 2013 already!

Last night I squeezed in to The Classic Studio for a sold out performance of Gordon Southern’s show A Brief History Of History.

Dressed in jeans with a shirt and tie just like a cool teacher,  the next hour was filled with hilarious historical content crammed in around Gordon’s excellent audience participation and gold star system.

It all happens so fast! The centuries fly by as this skilled comedian fuses what is essentially a brilliant stand up show come history lesson.

Early on in his show he makes sure he has the spectrum of ages represented. He  refers to them throughout and communicates both to the youth and the older punter, sometimes making them the butt of a joke but it’s all in good  humour and full of fun.

He uses his projected pictures and sound effect box to full effect with sudden bursts of ‘that’s a fun fact’ being played out to a joyous crowd.

This is really such a fun and easy show to watch and Gordon works so hard to keep the pace at something just below mania!

Before you know it the show is over and with a head full of historical characters you will yearn for more. Thank god for Wikipedia!

This is an awe inspiring hour of historical hysteria which is a comedy festival gem!

There is one show remaining so go get your diploma in a comedy show that may well be making history itself!

The Classic Studio, Auckland at 8.45 12 May as part of the NZ International Comedy Festival