Posts tagged The Grid comedy award 2012

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!

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