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    • In Review: The Mourning After

      The Speakeasy
      July 23, 2021
      Entertainment, Spotlight, Theatre
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    • In Review: Inhospitable

      Johan Chang
      June 15, 2021
    • Theatre Review: Jersey Boys at The Civic Theatre

      Shawn Moodie
      April 20, 2021
    • IN REVIEW: DIRTY PASSPORTS

      Kirsten Marsh
      April 6, 2021
    • SIX60 ‘When The Lights Go Out’ Premiere

      Chontalle Musson
      November 28, 2020
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      IT: Chapter Two review: bigger budget, bigger run-time, bigger scares

      Shawn Moodie
      September 5, 2019
    • We Will Rock You: The Musical – Interview with David Mackie

      Shawn Moodie
      August 20, 2019
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    • New music from San Holo & Broods - “Honest” released today

      Shawn Moodie
      January 31, 2020
      Alternative, Electronic, Listen, Main, Music, Watch and Listen
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    • INTERVIEW: Jack Jones on ‘All You Need Is Love’

      Shawn Moodie
      July 23, 2019
    • In Review: 2040

      The Speakeasy
      July 6, 2019
    • In Review: Top End Wedding

      The Speakeasy
      May 6, 2019
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    Featured
    • In Review: Inflated Rebel

      The Speakeasy
      August 18, 2021
      Culture, Entertainment, Theatre
    Recent
    • In Review: The Mourning After

      The Speakeasy
      July 23, 2021
    • In Review: Inhospitable

      Johan Chang
      June 15, 2021
    • New Zealand International Comedy Festival In Review: Glamourpuss – Ruby Esther

      Matt Coombe
      May 21, 2021
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      In Review: Leather Lungs: Yas Queen!

      Liz Lauder
      February 6, 2020
      Culture, Entertainment, Lifestyle, Music, Theatre
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    • SHOW ANNOUNCEMENT: Te Hihiri – The Spark

      The Speakeasy
      May 31, 2021
    • TOUR ANNOUNCEMENT: Paige

      The Speakeasy
      May 31, 2021
    • NEW MUSIC: Georgia Lines

      The Speakeasy
      May 30, 2021
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    • In Review: Inflated Rebel

      The Speakeasy
      August 18, 2021
      Culture, Entertainment, Theatre
    Recent
    • SIX60 ‘When The Lights Go Out’ Premiere

      Chontalle Musson
      November 28, 2020
    • 7 Live Comedy Venues In Auckland To Get Your Post Lockdown Laughs

      Oliver Smith
      June 18, 2020
    • 10

      In Review: Leather Lungs: Yas Queen!

      Liz Lauder
      February 6, 2020
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  • NZ International Comedy Festival
    Featured
    • NZICF: Fred Awards Finalists Announced

      Shawn Moodie
      May 25, 2019
      Comedy, Entertainment, NZ International Comedy Festival
    Recent
    • New Zealand International Comedy Festival In Review: Glamourpuss – Ruby Esther

      Matt Coombe
      May 21, 2021
    • New Zealand International Comedy Festival In Review: The Great Comedy Debate

      Matt Coombe
      May 20, 2021
    • New Zealand International Comedy Festival In Review: End Of Daze – Lolsy Byrne

      Oliver Smith
      May 19, 2021
    • New Zealand International Comedy Festival In Review: Daddy-Short-Legs – Eli Matthewson

      Oliver Smith
      May 19, 2021
    • New Zealand International Festival In Review: The Porne Identity – Audrey Porne

      Matt Coombe
      May 14, 2021
    • New Zealand International Comedy Festival In Review: If This Is It – Laura Davis

      Oliver Smith
      May 14, 2021
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  • ABOUT US

NZ International Comedy Festival

This April, the NZ International Comedy Festival hits a quarter century, and it looks as though we’ve never needed comedy more. Over the course of the Festival, we’ll be interviewing comedians, highlighting shows that you should attend, and of course offering our reviews.

NZICF: Fred Awards Finalists Announced

Shawn Moodie
May 25, 2019
Comedy, Entertainment, NZ International Comedy Festival

NZICF In Review: Kura Shoulda Woulda – Kura Forrester

The Speakeasy
May 24, 2019
Comedy, Entertainment, NZ International Comedy Festival

NZICF In Review: Dialogue Matters – Pax Assadi

The Speakeasy
May 23, 2019
Comedy, Entertainment, NZ International Comedy Festival

NZICF In Review: God Damn Fancy Man – James Nokise

The Speakeasy
May 22, 2019
Comedy, Entertainment, NZ International Comedy Festival
1

NZICF In Review: Tom Foolery – Tom Sainsbury

The Speakeasy
May 22, 2019
Comedy, Entertainment, NZ International Comedy Festival
Home
NZ International Comedy Festival

New Zealand International Comedy Festival In Review: Glamourpuss – Ruby Esther

Matt Coombe
May 21, 2021
Comedy, Entertainment, NZ International Comedy Festival
On a crisp Thursday night I went to the Basement studio, to see the opening night of Glamourpuss, an insight into a living with mental illness. The latest show from the much talked about 'up and comer' Ruby Es...

New Zealand International Comedy Festival In Review: The Great Comedy Debate

Matt Coombe
May 20, 2021
Comedy, Entertainment, NZ International Comedy Festival
It was a crisp Tuesday evening when I walked up the stairs into the Q Theatre Rangatira to witness The Great Comedy Debate. It has to be mentioned this show was funny for both myself and my grandma and she ...

New Zealand International Comedy Festival In Review: End Of Daze – Lolsy Byrne

Oliver Smith
May 19, 2021
Comedy, Entertainment, NZ International Comedy Festival
Late in the evening I made my way up top The Classic Studio to watch End Of Daze, a wonderfully heartfelt and vulnerable hour of stand up comedy performed by Lolsy Byrne. She began the show by describing t...

New Zealand International Comedy Festival In Review: Daddy-Short-Legs – Eli Matthewson

Oliver Smith
May 19, 2021
Comedy, Entertainment, NZ International Comedy Festival
I found myself in the Q Theatre Loft on Tuesday night, on the final week of the 2021 New Zealand International Comedy Festival. I had come to see festival staple Eli Matthewson's newest hour of comedy 'Daddy-S...

New Zealand International Festival In Review: The Porne Identity – Audrey Porne

Matt Coombe
May 14, 2021
Comedy, Entertainment, NZ International Comedy Festival
It was a crisp Thursday night when I walked up the steep stairs of the classic studio, to see some of the best Christchurch comedy scene has to offer in The Porne Identity, starring Audrey Porne, and her fanta...

New Zealand International Comedy Festival In Review: If This Is It – Laura Davis

Oliver Smith
May 14, 2021
Comedy, Entertainment, NZ International Comedy Festival
Further into the evening I made my to The Classic Studio to see Australian comic Laura Davis, in her show If This Is It, a wonderful meta analysis of the purpose of comedy and art during a global pandemic. ...

New Zealand International Comedy Festival In Review: Brunch – Ray Shipley & Emma Cusdin

Oliver Smith
May 13, 2021
Comedy, Entertainment, NZ International Comedy Festival
Just after tea time on a Wednesday evening, I sauntered up the steps to the Basement Studio, to allow Ray Shipley and Emma Cusdin to whisk me back to Brunch. In Brunch, Shipley and Cusdin try and piece toge...

New Zealand International Comedy Festival In Review: Happy Cabbage – Bec Sandys

Oliver Smith
May 12, 2021
Comedy, Entertainment, NZ International Comedy Festival
Here we are at second week of comedy fest, fully satiated with variety of comedy I caught week 1, I ventured to my first outing of week 2, Bec Sandys' latest show, Happy Cabbage. Happy Cabbage is a series ...

New Zealand International Comedy Festival In Review: This Will Be Tested – Chester Jerrat & Sarah Hughes

Oliver Smith
May 10, 2021
Comedy, Entertainment, NZ International Comedy Festival
It was late on Friday when I entered the Loft at Q Theatre to watch This Will Be Tested, a double bill featuring two of Auckland's freshest up and comers, Chester Jerrat (Finalist of TVNZ's New Blood) and Sar...

New Zealand International Comedy Festival In Review: Heartless Joke Machine – Rhys Mathewson

Oliver Smith
May 10, 2021
Comedy, Entertainment, NZ International Comedy Festival
On Friday Night I found myself in a packed out Classic, full of lively punters to watch Rhys Mathewson, the Heartless Joke Machine. The liveliness of the crowd would set to the tone for the night, and Mathewso...

New Zealand International Comedy Festival In Review: Circus Of Shame – Neil Thornton

Oliver Smith
May 7, 2021
Comedy, Entertainment, NZ International Comedy Festival
It was late on Thursday when I walked up to The Classic Studio, to see veteran comic Neil Thornton, and his Circus of Shame, a thought provoking examination of the concept of shame, both his own, and in cultur...

New Zealand International Comedy Festival In Review: In The Moonlight – Paul Williams

Oliver Smith
May 7, 2021
Comedy, Entertainment, NZ International Comedy Festival
On Thursday evening in went to Basement Theatre to see Into The Moonlight, the latest hour of comedy from Paul Williams. I knew him better for his charmingly awkward performances as the assistant on Taskmaster...

New Zealand International Comedy Festival In Review: Twins – Liv McKenzie & Ed Amon

Oliver Smith
May 6, 2021
Comedy, Entertainment, NZ International Comedy Festival
On Thursday I made my way to Sweat Shop Brew Kitchen, to see Twins, featuring Liv McKenzie and Ed Amon. These are comics coming off the back of a fantastic Comedy Fest 2019, McKenzie claiming best new comer, a...

New Zealand International Comedy Festival In Review: General Admission – Sera Devcich

Oliver Smith
May 4, 2021
Comedy, Entertainment, NZ International Comedy Festival
It's that time of year again folks, after a year off (because of a certain global pandemic...) the New Zealand International Comedy Festival is back! Thankfully so, as I think we all need a laugh (due to said....

NZICF In Review: Better Than I Was The Last Time – David Correos

Grace Hood-Edwards
May 26, 2019
Comedy, Entertainment, NZ International Comedy Festival
David Correos mentioned the phrase “a wild ride” partway through his set Better Than I Was The Last Time and perhaps nothing could be more apt a descriptor for his show. I realised partway through the show as ...

NZICF: Fred Awards Finalists Announced

Shawn Moodie
May 25, 2019
Comedy, Entertainment, NZ International Comedy Festival
This year’s Fred Award judges have chosen three finalists to compete at Electric Kiwi Last Laughs on Sunday for The FRED, which is awarded to the Best New Zealand Show in the 2019 NZ Internatio...

NZICF In Review: Heroic – Donna Brookbanks

Grace Hood-Edwards
May 25, 2019
Comedy, Entertainment, NZ International Comedy Festival
2019 Billy T nominee Donna Brookbanks’ Heroic begins by getting the audience amped with appropriately inspirational tracks, such as the Foo Fighters’ ‘My Hero’ and Bonnie Tyler’s ‘I Need a Hero’. Brookbanks’ e...

NZICF In Review: The Blair Witch Projector – James Mustapic

Grace Hood-Edwards
May 24, 2019
Comedy, Entertainment, NZ International Comedy Festival
James Mustapic at the beginning of his show at the Q Theatre Vault promises a sensible hour of stand up. No gimmicks. That is until a ghost inside his projector turns up to roast Mustapic and drag him through ...

NZICF In Review: Kura Shoulda Woulda – Kura Forrester

The Speakeasy
May 24, 2019
Comedy, Entertainment, NZ International Comedy Festival
Review by Chelsea Pickens The first thing I noticed about Kura’s show was that it was completely full, obviously a popular pick among comedy lovers. The second thing I noticed was a scrawled-on mock beauty ...

And The Winners Are… Raw Comedy Quest 2019 Crowns 2 Winners

Oliver Smith
May 24, 2019
Comedy, Entertainment, NZ International Comedy Festival
I made my way to the Rangitira at Q Theatre on Thursday night to witness the final of Raw Comedy Quest, New Zealand’s premier competition, and a launching point for the future of New Zealand Comedy. The nig...

NZICF In Review: Traffic Jam – Darcy Murray & Wade Jackson

The Speakeasy
May 23, 2019
Comedy, Entertainment, NZ International Comedy Festival
Review by Wal Reid It was reportedly touted that William Shakespeare said the eyes are the “window to the soul.” If this is the case, then actors Darcy Murray and Wade Jackson are living proof that this can...
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TOP REVIEWS

  • In Review: Horace and Pete

    Nigel Mckenzie-Ryan
    May 12, 2016
    1
    10
  • Joker – a masterpiece of time and place.

    Shawn Moodie
    October 2, 2019
    2
    10
  • In Review: Leather Lungs: Yas Queen!

    Liz Lauder
    February 6, 2020
    3
    10
  • In Review: CitizenFour

    Shawn Moodie
    March 5, 2016
    4
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  • NZICF In Review: Your Wrong – Phil Nichol

    Shawn Moodie
    May 16, 2019
    5
    10

LATEST POSTS

  • In Review: Inflated Rebel

    The Speakeasy
    August 18, 2021
  • In Review: The Mourning After

    The Speakeasy
    July 23, 2021
  • In Review: Inhospitable

    Johan Chang
    June 15, 2021
  • SHOW ANNOUNCEMENT: Te Hihiri – The Spark

    The Speakeasy
    May 31, 2021
  • TOUR ANNOUNCEMENT: Paige

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    May 31, 2021
  • NEW MUSIC: Georgia Lines

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    May 30, 2021
  • NEW MUSIC + TOUR ANNOUNCEMENT: LADYHAWKE

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    May 29, 2021
  • SHOW ANNOUNCEMENT: The Beths

    The Speakeasy
    May 29, 2021
  • TOUR ANNOUNCEMENT: Drax Project + Mitch James

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    May 29, 2021
  • NEW MUSIC: ZÖ

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    May 29, 2021

The Speakeasy is a culture and entertainment site for the digital generation.

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We cover everyone and everything from the trendsetters to the fringe favourites. From arthouse flicks to box-office hits.

No matter the platform (video, audio, photo, written), you can expect us to deliver stories like no other, because at The Speakeasy we're all about - Entertainment, done differently.

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Latest Posts

  • In Review: Inflated Rebel

    The Speakeasy
    August 18, 2021
  • In Review: The Mourning After

    The Speakeasy
    July 23, 2021
  • In Review: Inhospitable

    Johan Chang
    June 15, 2021
  • SHOW ANNOUNCEMENT: Te Hihiri – The Spark

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    May 31, 2021
  • TOUR ANNOUNCEMENT: Paige

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    May 31, 2021

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