Two local Ōtepoti Dunedin comedians, Gerard Dougherty and Roland Mirabueno, showcase their Fringe Festival Show, Shanghai Goons. The night is a highly interactive experience brimming with witty banter and story telling that transforms an audience of strangers into old friends at a lively house party.

Upon entering, Gerard and Roland made us feel very welcome as they mingled with the punters, forging friendships and engaging in playful conversation. The show’s official start is unmistakable as the classic Ennio Morricone track “The Ecstasy of Gold”, builds tension while the two comedians circle each other like a sheriff and outlaw settling an age-old rivalry. Using their microphones as six-shooter revolvers, the tension in the room peaks as the two mic-slingers deftly transition their dramatic shootout into casual chit-chat.

On the night we attended some audience members were reluctant to join in, but the comedians’ charisma quickly won everyone over. It was refreshing to experience crowd work that didn’t resort to disrespectful roasting. Instead, it fostered genuine connections that had the entire crowd laughing together as friends. We met a couple who self-identify as “Ozzie-bogans”, a local nurse who quipped “you win some, you lose some”, and Tony the train engineer, who denied any involvement in sabotaging a high-speed locomotive for Butch Cassidy.

Due to the crowd work section running overtime, we only saw Gerard’s solo performance, but fortune smiled upon us, as we were able to catch Roland Mirabueno at the Late Night Lineup later that evening.

Forget the gym. Gerard Dougherty’s comedy will give you an ab workout from laughing. Gerard weaves jokes into personal and heartfelt stories of his friends and family, including one anecdote of his father’s endearing yet peculiar gesture of paternal love, and many more featuring his coworkers, his girlfriend, his mother, and their pet dogs, Millie and Raisin.

While Dougherty is a hilarious storyteller, Roland Mirabueno revels in satire. He spoke at length about the cultural differences between Aotearoa and the Philippines, like the gentrification of his own diet. He shared incisive perspectives on race, sexuality, governance, terrorism, and the profound cultural significance of Dunedin’s vape shop next to another vape shop. Mirabueno’s comedy is equally thought-provoking and hilarious.

The dynamic duo of Gerard Dougherty and Roland Mirabueno delivered a raucous night to remember. Their unique comedic styles complemented each other perfectly, creating an atmosphere of laughter, camaraderie, and magical moments of genuine fun. If you haven’t yet experienced either of these two comedians, be sure to seek them out whenever you can.

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