Bite into the mystery muffin that is Laser Kiwi #2, you won’t be disappointed.  

I know right away I’m in for a good night when we’re given 3D glasses at the door of the theatre within Te Auaha. The theatre is full because it’s student 2-for-1 night, so the energy is drunk and rowdy – I like it and I’m jealous at the same time. After a long day at work, I want to laugh the night away and feel 23 again.

The lights dim and a spotlight shines on a large jar of something. “Chickpeas?” asks my hot date Big Red (who’s actually quite petite). Nope. Olives. A large jar of green olives. Suddenly, an olive rises from the jar, glistening as it hovers up to the ceiling …  

And it’s on: Zane Jarvie, Imogen Stone and Degge Jarvie rush the stage to deliver 80% of their tried and true surreal circus sketches, with a 20% smattering of uncharted territory. We’ve got a menu of a programme detailing, albeit vaguely, what to expect so we feel safe in their capable hands. Olives feature throughout, obviously.

First things first, we need to talk about Isobel’s guns. Like, what an absolute gun show. We know she’s going to something amazing with those arms and when she does, we’re screaming with delight and awe. I mean, I can’t even do a push-up without dry-retching, so seeing her climb so effortlessly up a hanging rope and flip and twirl like it’s no big deal is incredible to watch. Going with the circus theme we’ve got juggling, martini balancing, trapeze-ish stuff and some quirky tricks with Jenga blocks (and yes, they play the OG Jenga music and it is WONDERFUL, thought I doubt the youths in the room revel in it as much as I do).

In addition to the jaw-dropping physical prowess on display, there are LOLs. A lot of them. We’re dying laughing to singing ants, rap-circus mash-ups and blatant profanity (not just from the stage but also from some drunken trolls who barge in, try to steal some thunder and then slink off back to Courtney Place where they belong), and the crap from earlier in the day is gone.

The unbearable lightness of complete absurdity is on display here and it’s infectious. The crowd is clearly loving it and participating actively. People are getting olive lap dances (not kidding), being pulled up on stage and having popcorn thrown in their mouths. If you’re sitting in the first 3 rows, expect to participate and like it too, or suffer severe FOMO sitting in the back where we are. Amongst the hilarity are some hard and true insights too, a nice detail that tempers the absurdity of it all – or highlights it, I’m not sure which.

As this is programming season, the artists here are trying stuff out and most of it lands. I get a little bored with the Love is Love skit but more olive action brings me back to life. The 3D skit is cute but runs a bit long and, well, makes me yawn a bit, but I’ll forgive them anything to see Imogen’s gravity defying bodywork.

So, what’s the message Laser Kiwi #2 is sending? That life is heavy enough as it is, and it’s true, just open a news app and read a headline or two. I feel grateful to be here in this theatre, in this country, mask-less, watching something so frivolous and silly considering what’s actually happening out there in the world.

You’ve only got 3 more nights to embrace the absurd. Check your reservations and bad day vibes at the door because, as Zane himself says: “We’re all such shitty people, we might as well be happy together.” Go daddy!

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