The Best Laughs in Welly

The NZ International Comedy Festival began way back when mullets, Mrs Doubtfire and the Macarena were in vogue. Amongst the big hair and now iconic boogie, there was this thing called ‘three weeks of open slather comedy’ where The Topp Twins, Corbett Brothers (Jeremy & Nigel), Kevin Smith and Peter Rowsthorn (Kath & Kim) brought the laughs.

Now, this little thing is a massive thing, so every year for three weeks in Auckland and Wellington, as well as regional touring around the rest of the country, the Festival brings the laughs to Aotearoa.

Live comedy shows from our backyard and internationally, there something for everyone to slap their knee in exclamation. Whether you’re about stand-up, sketch, improv, or musical comedy, it’s all good.

The Festival delivers every year, but here are some shows we’re particularly excited about for the 2018 instalment.

BEST FOODS COMEDY GALA – HOSTED BY ARJ BARKER (USA)

Arj Barker launches the 2018 NZ International Comedy Festival as host of this year’s Best Foods Comedy Gala. A taster of what’s to come over the Festival weeks, if you’re going to go to any show, let it be this, the mac-daddy.

One hell of an illustrious night of hilarity awaits with over 15 acts in one Opera House.

Enjoy the feel good LOL’s with proceeds from this show being invested by the New Zealand Comedy Trust into supporting the growth of the comedy industry in Aotearoa.

Go all in at 7.30pm on Sunday 29th April at The Opera House.

ADVAIT, AKU & SRI – THIS IS WHY I’M SINGLE

I am so here for three single guys lamenting over their empty king-size beds in flailing tales of woo and woe, ex-girlfriends and non-existent ones, one-liners and bad dates – unfortunately, I can relate.

See the trio at 7pm on Tuesday 1st, Thursday 3rd and Saturday 5th May at the Cavern Club.

MOLLY SOKHOM & NEIL THORNTON – HANGRY AMERICANS: EXTRA SPICY

Do you ever confuse carbs with love and hunger because of pure boredom? Literally all the time, right? It’s the same with comedians Molly Sokhom and Neil Thornton.

Over from the States, Molly and Neil are here to confirm that Hanger is a real emotion with stand-up comedy and a chaotic interactive cooking show.

Expect mayhem and high blood sugar at 10pm on Wednesday 16, Thursday 17, Friday 18 and Saturday 19 May.

TESSA WATERS – FULLY SIK

You had me at “somewhere between Broad City and the Boosh.”

Physical theatre, sketch and dance await at 9pm on Tuesday 8, Wednesday 9, Thursday 10, Friday 11 and Saturday 12 May at BATS with Tessa Waters show.

Go forth and get your giggle on friends.

words by chris lee