The New Zealand International Comedy Festival is well into its third decade and the First Laughs and Comedy Gala events are well-established as the launch pads for three weeks of shows across Wellington and Auckland.

Rhys Darby is the host for First Laughs 2016, despite not bringing a show to Wellington for this year’s festival. He appears tentative and starts slowly at first, but later on develops more of a rapport when returning to his tried and tested physicality and range of noises. He provides enthusiasm in interludes when the audience’s energy begins to lag through this near three-hour taster.

Jamie Bowen is the first act up, engaging the audience with tales of walking and discussing perceptions of reality with his girlfriend.

Lloyd Langford returns for a second year from Wales, and his material on the difficulties of bringing fruit in to New Zealand and the names of Auckland monuments is well-observed and wry.

Urzila Carlson is a regular at the Comedy Festival, and she delivers a segment on the trials and tribulations of flying in an aeroplane. She’s a confident performer, but the material is lightweight.

Nik Bruce-Smith was the first local act on the bill. He tells a number of stories revolving around his childhood. The material lacks big laughs but he has a confident manner and doesn’t feel out of place.

Ron Josol is an unknown quantity but proves a hit, with the Filipino-Canadian comic discussing matters such as being Asian and not liking Soy sauce.

Former Billy T winner Guy Montgomery, next up, struggles to find his groove or build any real audience rapport with jokes about driving.

Cori Gonzalez-Macuer discusses ghost taxi rides and reality show contestants with a likeable, mild-mannered and laidback style.

Country crooner Wilson Dixon closes the first half with his guitar and a song about ‘That Thing You Do’. It is welcome as something different but doesn’t stick long in the memory.

The second half opens up with Angela Barnes from the UK who she proves a welcoming presence, reminiscent of fellow British comedian Sarah Millican. Her discussions of Netflix documentaries and dating are personal yet relatable.

Daniel John Smith, the second local act, holds his own against the international comedians with an amusing if lightweight segment on the pronunciation of last names.

Returning to the festival, Ben Hurley is a consummate stage presence. His points on the use of Maori language are welcome and well put.

Lords of Strut from Ireland inject some much-needed energy into proceedings with their dance moves, dazzling costumes and flexibility. An hour in their company seems like it would be a lot of fun.

London comic Jimmy McGhie, making his New Zealand debut, is endearing with his discussion of hangovers and being posh.

Rose Matafeo returns to the Wellington stage for the first time in two years, to deliver a strong and humorous segment about how men are allowed to have more fun than women on this planet.  

Deadpan French flaneur Marcel Lucont is also back for this year’s festival. His arrogant character struggles to ignite over a six minute period. He is a Wellington crowd favourite and someone who I think may work better over a one hour show.

James Acaster closes the evening, winning the audience over with more of his astute observations about hugely significant matters, such as how Kiwi’s describe the act of boiling water in a kettle. He’s been nominated for the top award at Edinburgh for the last three years and is definitely one to watch.

Whilst it is an improvement to see three female acts on the bill, it would have been great to see more included, especially when there are two Billy T nominees who are women this year. It’s also a shame that only two Wellington comedians get a chance to shine on a line-up boasting 17 acts.

These line-up shows have their place, but it can be difficult to judge an unfamiliar comedian on the basis of just a couple of minutes. On the whole there are more hits than misses, and plenty to look forward to over the next three weeks.

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