Posts tagged comedy reviews auckland

I had seen ‘The Boy’ on TV but following last night’s opening night of ‘More Tape’ at Q Theatre, I realised you really do have to see him live to fully appreciate this extraordinary performer!

The show is packed with visual treats cleverly entwined into stories which are often expertly timed to accompanying music. That’s not all! Don’t think you can hide from ‘More Tape’ as this ‘Boy’ can sneak up and select his participants at any time. Even from the back row!

His ability to control his subjects shows him to be a master puppeteer of both the willing and the more reluctant participants.

This show is packed with humour and has an abundance of surprises, no more so than with its finale, but don’t worry I won’t spoil any of them here.

I have to say I wasn’t sure what I was going to think of this show, having only seen a few minutes of his act previously, but it’s just pure brilliance on every level and I can’t recommend it enough.

With a fresh audience of potential stars every night this show will always be fresh, original and unpredictable. I am certain in the hands of this muted mastermind that every show will end as this one did, with a standing ovation!

You catch The Boy With Tape On His face with his genius show More Tape at the Q Theatre until 19 May.

Bookings:093099771

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!

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.