Get ready to laugh until your sides ache because the New Zealand International Comedy Festival with Best Foods Mayo is back, and it’s their 30th birthday! From the 5th to the 28th of May, the New Zealand International Comedy will take over stages across Auckland and Wellington with a line-up of hilarious comedians from all over the world.
With more than 150 shows scheduled, express breaks down our top picks for this year’s Festival, which promises to be a side-splitting extravaganza featuring stand-up, sketch comedy, improv, and everything in between.
Chris Parker – Lots of Love
The multi-award-winning comedian and self-proclaimed people’s princess of New Zealand, Chris Parker, is back with a brand new show, Lots of Love, after completely selling out his 2022 tour, The Best of Chris Parker. Chris will take Lots of Love across New Zealand to Tauranga, Christchurch, Wellington, Dunedin, Hamilton, Palmerston North, Auckland and New Plymouth in May and June.
Anita Wig’lit – Funny Gurl
Get to know Anita Wigl’it (Drag Race: Canada Vs the World, RuPaul’s Drag Race Down Under) in this kooky, hilarious and tell-all one-woman show, Funny Gurl! This show will give you belly laughs, will make you cry and will definitely make you Wigl’it!!
Audrey Porne & Jadwiga Green – Just Kidding! Unless…?
Award-winning Breakthrough comedians, Jadwiga Green and Audrey Porne, have bravely boarded a [redacted budget airline] flight to bring you an hour of brand-new comedy that you and your weird cousin will enjoy (if you don’t have a weird cousin, a weird cousin can be assigned to you at your own risk).
Basement Preview Show (Hosted by Johanna Cosgrove)
Get ready for the Festival and get the party started nice and early with this April preview of what’s coming up for Comedy Fest at Tāmaki Makaurau’s home of indie comedy, Basement Theatre. Hosted by Johanna Cosgrove and featuring star performances from James Mustapic, Donna Brookbanks, Abby Howells, David Correos, Barnie Duncan, James Hilary Penwarden, Liv Parker, Ruby Esther and Jonny Brugh, with more to be announced.
Clarissa Chandrahasen – Flawless
Unapologetically confident, Clarissa Chandrahasen’s debut solo hour puts her unique magnifying glass on millennial life. Her sharp, wry and playful takes on social media addiction, home ownership, work life, relationships, queerness and identity are highly relatable.
Loud & Queer
Hosted by the legendary Judy Virago (drag queen and certifiable local hero) and parody king Tom Sainsbury (2019 Billy T Award nominee, Wellington Paranormal). Bringing together an epic cast of comedic LGBTQI+ performers to celebrate Wellington’s vibrant queer community in a joyful night of stand-up, sketch comedy, music and drag
Eli Matthewson – Gutterball
When he was just five years old, Eli Matthewson dropped a bowling ball on his mother’s foot, and he still doesn’t know if it was intentional. In his new hour of comedy, Eli is on a mission to find out whether he is a nice person, or someone who breaks their mum’s toes on purpose.
Grace Jarvis – This Is The Last Goldfish That I Am Going To Eat For You
I have collected, for you, my audience, an anthology of all the weird things I have done in my life to try and make friends. Do not attempt these methods for yourselves.
Hoo-Haa – The Big Hoo-Haa Poneke
It’s an epic improv face-off: the Hearts in one corner, the Bones in the other. And you, the audience, must crown the champion. But hey, the points are made up and everyone’s having a great time! For two late nights only, catch a selection of Wellington’s most gifted improvisers vying for the trophy via spontaneous scenes, songs, and mischief.
James Mustapic – Into the Multi-Media-Verse
James Mustapic shatters the Multi-Media-Verse and travels to strange, new dimensions. Join James on his journey as he meets different versions of himself – ‘Straight James’, ‘Psychic James’, ‘Goth James’, and more.
James Hilary Pendwarden – Them Fatale
James Hilary Penwarden lost their gender, found some new pronouns, and now they’re milking their hot new identity for all it’s worth, spanning the full gamut of queer humour in 55mins. Bring your gays, theys, and baes for a sexy, silly, song-filled stand-up special from Aotearoa’s finest ex-Catholic, non-binary bisexual in the biz.
Janaye Henry – Crush Season
Aotearoa’s flirtiest babe Janaye Henry is coming in hot with her ‘will you take a breath?’ style and diving deep into her love life. She treats romcoms like academic texts, learning all the skills needed to attain true love. She’s clumsily dropping a pile of books; she’s running through airports; and she’s choreographing that flash-mob.
Jess Karamjeet – Redundant
Jess Karamjeet had plans – ambitious ones and downright evil ones – but her dad died and she’s in the queer dating-pool again after four years. There’s also the tiny issue of being a writer and performer, with men like Mayor Brown skulking around…But Jess is fighting!
Karen From Finance – Doing Time
Karen is headed for the lock-up, and her co-workers Frank-the-CEO and Amanda-from-Reception could not be happier – the way they jeer is downright criminal! Will Karen From Finance prove her innocence? Will she walk free? Perhaps our favourite straighty-180 accountant isn’t so innocent after all…
Laura Davis – Well, Don’t Just Stand There Dancing
Internationally acclaimed, cult-comedy favourite Laura Davis returns with a brand-new hour following last year’s sell-out shows in Melbourne, Edinburgh and London. Uplifting, refreshing, hilarious and deft, Laura delivers extraordinary stand-up that exceeds all expectations.
Jez & Jace (Megan Connolly & Nina Hogg)
Jez & Jace is an improvised comedy from the hilarious duo Ginge & Minge. What happens when you realise you love your bros more than hoes? #nohomo
Neil Thornton – Hot Mess On Wheels
Award-winning comedian and self-appointed gay icon, Neil ‘D’Bear’ Thornton dons roller skates and florescent legwarmers to wheel you through his lifelong love of all things trashy and kitschy – and to show why camp and queer culture mean so much to him. Expect a silly, messy and melodramatic, multi-media comedy with a disco beat.
No Homo – Late Night Comedy
Aotearoa’s cult-favourite comedy line-up show No Homo: Queer Comedy presents a rotating line-up of some of the best LGBTIQ+ comedians the Festival has to offer for one night only! It’ll be a gay old time!
Ray Shipley – Fifty Shades of Ray
Inside Ray Shipley, there’s always been a resplendent, 5 foot 10, perfectly put-together, front-cover-gracing, legendary star of stage and screen, but something has always stopped them getting out. Whatever could it be? Ray confronts this barrier in their latest show, Fifty Shades of Ray – a comedy about fame and obsession and crying in the props cupboard.
Really Good Normal Show (Danny Sewell, Hoani Hotene and Booth the Clown):
Hey! What are you reading this blurb for? The title sums it up, this is a REALLY GOOD and VERY NORMAL show. You know, the classic format of three talented and beautiful comedians cycling through really good material in a very normal show!
Ryan McGhee – The Scottish Kiwi
After fleeing Scotland, Ryan McGhee plonked his fabulous gay ass in New Zealand. Anything was possible! Join Ryan to hear about his (mis)adventures in Scotland and New Zealand, as well as some of the ‘highlights’ from his ongoing search for love.
Rudy-Lee Taurua – “Diverse”
Gay, mixed race, First Nation, raised by a single mother on the pension, working class, anxious, clinically depressed, domestic abuse survivor. Pick your diversity because multi-award-winning comedian Rudy-Lee Taurua has them all – but most importantly, he has jokes.
Snort – With Friends
Snort is Auckland’s cult-favourite late-night improv show. Aotearoa’s funniest pull-together intricate, far-fetched scenes for an hour of killer comedy – made up entirely on the spot.
Tiny Dog (Gabby Anderson, Janaye Henry, Lesa Macleod-Whiting, Alayne Dick, Charlotte Glucina and Stevie Hancox-Monk)
For one night and one night only, Tiny Dog is bringing together some of the best comedians for fast and loose comedy. The catch? It’s all made up on the spot! Featuring an all-women and nonbinary cast, these pups have been unleashed for the Festival and are ready to play.
Tom Sainsbury – Gone Bananas
Political satirist and eater of chips, Tom Sainsbury, is gonna leave it all out there on stage. He’ll swagger into your hearts with impressions, hilarious yarns and a goofy smile.
Whether you’re a die-hard comedy fan or just looking for a night of fun, the NZ International Comedy Festival is the place to be this May.
So grab your tickets and get ready for some serious laughs!
