First Laughs - Wellington
03/05/2009 - 03/05/2009
NZ International Comedy Festival 2007-09, 2013
Production Details
WELLINGTON‘S PREMIERE COMEDY EVENT
The Glitterati event and Official Launch of the 2009 Wellington NZ International Comedy Festival.
The Opera House once again opens her mighty doors and rolls out the red carpet for the glamour night of Wellington comedy.
The Best of the Festival bring this fast paced and hilarious 2 hour showcase to life, featuring the talents of over 12 local and international acts. Take a sneak peek at some of the acts on offer in this year’s Wellington programme – which is bigger and funnier than ever!
Hosted by 2008 Billy T Award winner Steve Wrigley!
Featuring: Janey Godley (SCOT), Mark Scott (NZ), Jason Cook (UK), Benjamin Crellin (NZ), JJ Whitehead (CAN), Maeve Higgins (IRE), TJ McDonald (NZ), Mickey D (AUS), Simon McKinney (NZ), Ed Byrne (IRE), Cori Gonzalez-Macuer (NZ), Derek Flores (CAN), Te Radar (NZ), Dai Henwood (NZ) and James Nokise (NZ).
Date: Sunday 3rd May, 7.30pm
Venue: Opera House, Wellington
Tickets:
Full price $59.50
Concession $55.00
Groups 10+ $55
(service fees may apply)
Bookings:
0800 TICKETEK (842 5385)
Like a good antipasto
Review by Hannah Smith 04th May 2009
The Wellington leg of the New Zealand International Comedy Festival is off to a rollicking start after the opening event First Laughs held at the Opera House on Sunday night. A nigh on full house was treated to snippets of comedic pleasure from an assortment of festival acts – ranging from comic stars of international renown, to veterans of the Kiwi stand up scene, to relative newcomers – all held together by the capable capering of MC Steve Wrigley.
What a rich festival is on offer with acts of such consistent quality. It is not uncommon to be wowed by the big name stars that are brought in to headline any international festival in New Zealand, but it is a pleasure to see local talent performing at an equally high standard, shining just as bright. It is a reminder to us that Wellington boasts a robust comedy scene and one that exists beyond the limits of this three week comedy festival.
We were treated to intelligent and incisive commentary on New Zealand’s political climate, the state of the global economy and how much more cultured and geographically desirable Wellington is than its main competitor: Invercargill.
While I was impressed with the strength and material of the Kiwi talent displayed, in an evening of quality entertainment the standout act was Irish comedian Maeve Higgins. Her natural charm and quirky stage persona immediately distinguished her unique performance style and instantly endeared her to the audience. Her disarmingly honest and unaffected approach was as refreshing as it was unusual. I look forward to catching her set at BATS – opening in the first week of the festival.
First Laughs is a unique event within the festival in that you get to sample a wide range of comic appetisers without sitting down to the entire meal. Such a smorgasboard cannot help but have something for every taste and – like a good antipasto – First Laughs left the audience, tantalised, licking their lips, and wanting more.
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