Bringing together a line-up of seven comedians performing in Wellington during the opening week of the Comedy Festival, Best of the Fest has long been a winner with audiences. A late night setting in the San Francisco Bathhouse is perfect for a show of this nature. 

Dai Henwood takes on the role of MC and is at once completely at ease, interacting with several audience members and drawing humour and links between their respective professions. As a comedian brought up in Wellington he is able to draw on local stories from his past to great effect, such as being a DJ at a bogan wedding in Naenae. His material throughout the night regularly hits the mark. 

The first comedian Henwood brings to the stage is James Nokise. He draws upon his background and upbringing as a gang member to advise the audience on how sensuality is best to tackle confrontation. With a sharp wit and wonderful observations, he sets the bar high for the rest of the comedians on the bill. 

Jarred Fell comes out all guns blazing in a risqué comical magic set. His outrageous confidence allows him to probe his audience with the bulk of his set involving an audience member being brought on stage to take part in a traditional card trick with lewd results. His brand of comedy magic is fast-paced and thrillingly funny. He is a highlight of the show. 

The first half of the show concludes with Paul Ego. It is refreshing to see a fresh and edgy set from this established comic. His material on drink and its effects is wonderfully received, leading nicely into a silly story of him drinking red wine at a friend’s house and the subsequent perils of encountering a white bathroom. Short but sweet, he engages and entertains in an assured and confident manner.

Justine Smith opens the second half with a confident anger-filled set, in which a budding actor in the front row cops plenty of vitriol. Her set is entertaining enough, with a notable anecdote about fried chicken and one-night stands. She is clearly a comedian who is not afraid to say it as she sees it. Her set is fairly well received. 

Tim Fitz-Higham is next up to entertain the audience and he delivers a crowd-pleasing set of material about the incredibly long journey he has made from the UK to be at the festival and the patriotism which prevents him adjusting to the time difference. It is clear from his reaction that he is delighted with the responsive audience and his final anecdote about a long drop lavatory caps off a hilarious set.

Jarred Christmas is the final comedian to take to the stage and after an opening piece on months of the year, decides to open up to questions from the floor. It is a risky move, but one which pays off in spades. Whatever question is thrown at Christmas, he is able to deal with it in a quick and hilarious manner. His set is a triumphant end to a thrillingly entertaining show. 

Best of the Fest may be prohibitive to most people with a Thursday 10pm start time. But if late-night cutting edge comedy from several local and international comedians is what you’re looking for, this show delivers that in abundance. Highly recommended, it provides a diverse taster of the breadth of talent on offer in Wellington in any given week of the festival.

Copyright © in the review belongs to the reviewer