DAN NIGHTINGALE ON LOVE, ON LIFE & ON THE NORTH ISLAND
Cavern Club, 22 Allen St, Te Aro, Wellington
07/05/2013 - 11/05/2013
Q Theatre, The Vault, Auckland
14/05/2013 - 18/05/2013
NZ International Comedy Festival 2007-09, 2013
Production Details
THE JEWEL IN THE BRITISH COMEDY CIRCUIT’S CROWN.
Dan Nightingale (one-time regular warm up for Jonathan Ross, Chortle award nominee for “Best Compere” & cycling proficiency badge holder) brings his bitingly witty observations and amiable charm to New Zealand for the second timewith seasons in Auckland (May 14-18) and Wellington (May 7-11).
One of the UK circuit’s hidden gems, Dan Nightingale is one of the best performers working today. Mixing brilliant observation and energetic characterizations, his comedy is original, playful, intelligent, exciting, sometimes ridiculous but always hilarious.
A regular headliner at his famous local comedy club, the Frog and Bucket, where he founded the hugely successful Beat the Frog night, he is also a favourite at some of the best clubs in the country. He is appearing in SKY1’s John Bishop’s Only Joking, currently broadcasting in the UK.
In 2004 & 2005 he developed his skills performing early material at the Edinburgh Fringe, alongside award winning comedian Josie Long. He returned in 2008 with his first full show “Geronimo”, a well-received hour-long stand-up debut. Dan has also gigged around Europe and as far afield as Dubai. This is his second visit to New Zealand, having previously performed in The Big Show as part of the 2009 New Zealand International Comedy Festival.
As well as stand-up, Dan’s other work includes voiceover work for children’s television, local radio & television warm up at ITV and BBC, including work on the Jonathan Ross show. He’s also gigged with Ross Noble, Michael McIntyre and been a regular on The Johnny Vegas & Friends shows.
***** – “a night of hilarity … Dan Nightingale is one to watch out for.” – Three Weeks
**** – “piles & piles of strong material… belly laugh funny“ – One4Review
“Nightingale can make just about anything funny. He’s lightning-quick.” – TIME OUT
As part of the 2013 NZ International Comedy Festival
DAN NIGHTINGALE: ON LOVE, ON LIFE & ON THE NORTH ISLAND
WELLINGTON
Date: Tue 7 – Sat 11 May, 8.30 pm
Venue: Cavern Club, 22 Allen St
Tickets: $19 – $23 (booking fees apply)
Bookings: 0800Ticketet www.ticketek.co.nz
AUCKLAND
Date: Tue 14 – Sat 18 May, 8.45 pm
Venue: Vault at Q, 305 Queen St
Bookings: 09 309 9771 www.qtheatre.co.nz
Tickets: $19 – $23 (booking fees apply)
For the sweetest deals and hottest comedy news throughout the Festival head to www.comedyfestival.co.nz
Infectious humour
Review by Nik Smythe 15th May 2013
I note beforehand that besides one superlative-rich sentence, Dan Nightingale’s festival programme bumf consists entirely of four and five star glowing reviews from all over the world, which is to say the UK, particularly Edinburgh.
So is it, as advertised, “an hour of world class standup!”? Sure, why not. Hitting the ground rambling, he’s certainly got the kind of driving energy that compels you to laugh even if he’s not making an actual joke per se.
Visually, his bald pate and thick-framed glasses remind me of Radar back in the nineties, before he got the hair and the Te. His loose manner of tangential chatter isn’t a million miles away either, albeit as distinctively Manchester as Radar is Kiwi. That is to say Nightingale doesn’t really tell jokes as such, with actual punchlines or anything.
The subject matter is relatively standard: travel anecdotes, drugs, neuroses, relationships, domestic annoyances… A fair amount of his pithy observational commentary is awarded to immediate family, particularly his 92-year-old Granddad and his younger sister and her 4-year-old son, through whom he vicariously experiences parental responsibility.
His typically slightly-awkward interactions with the audience bear some fruit too; not only in terms of generating laughter but he also jacks up one or two drinks dates, and a lift home with a designated driver.
As I say, the entertainment appeal basically comes down to the self-styled raconteur, Dan’s life-of-the-party exuberance and infectious humour.
Copyright © in the review belongs to the reviewer
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