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

NZICF In Review: Tom Foolery – Tom Sainsbury

The Speakeasy

May 22, 2019

Comedy, Entertainment, NZ International Comedy Festival

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NZ International Comedy Festival

NZICF In Review: Late & Live at The Classic

Shawn Moodie

May 11, 2019

Comedy, Entertainment, NZ International Comedy Festival, Spotlight

We have an enviable crop of talented comedians in New Zealand, but like it or loathe it, it often takes a few international drawcards to really capture people’s attention. That is where the NZ International Co...

New Zealand International Comedy Festival In Review: Crack-Up Late Show with Alan McElroy

Oliver Smith

May 11, 2019

Comedy, Entertainment, NZ International Comedy Festival

It was Friday night, I found myself in the Classic Studio at 10pm, a time associated with the loosest of late night shows, with The Classic's usual Late and Live in the downstairs room, with this Crack-Up Late...

NZICF In Review: All Female, All Funny – C-Suite

The Speakeasy

May 10, 2019

Comedy, Entertainment, NZ International Comedy Festival

Review by Joelle Reid It is a bleak Friday morning and I am stirring a very large coffee cup with a very small teaspoon. ‘Fuck!’ I frown at the spoon- I have childhood trauma issues for picking that teaspoo...

New Zealand International Comedy Festival In Review: Improv Bandits

Oliver Smith

May 10, 2019

Comedy, Entertainment, NZ International Comedy Festival

On Thursday Night I found myself in Herald Theatre, to see the Improv Bandits, one of New Zealand’s premier Improv groups since 1997. As a lover of Improv, I find myself wondering why I’d never seen them befor...

New Zealand International Comedy Festival In Review: Absolute Monster – Alice Snedden

Oliver Smith

May 10, 2019

Comedy, Entertainment, NZ International Comedy Festival

I found myself in a buzzing Basement Theatre, to see Alice Snedden’s Absolute Monster. I was a little sweaty, partially due to the humidity, and partially due to Auckland traffic. I found myself re-enacting th...

NZICF In Review: Fuq Boiz Forever

The Speakeasy

May 10, 2019

Comedy, Entertainment, NZ International Comedy Festival

Review by Jaimee Beck As we take our seats at the less-dodgy-than-I-remember Basement’s studio, I become aware of two things; the somewhat too cold air-con, and the fact that 10pm on a Thursday is quite ho...

NZICF In Review: The Big Show

The Speakeasy

May 9, 2019

Comedy, Entertainment, NZ International Comedy Festival

Stephanie Jane Reader (with Johan Chang) A few days ago I received without question the best text of my life. “Wanna come to a Comedy Show with me and write a review of it?” T...

New Zealand International Comedy Festival In Review: Elevation – Uther Dean

Oliver Smith

May 9, 2019

Comedy, Entertainment, NZ International Comedy Festival

I greeted Elevation with great anticipation, having seen Uther Dean on the circuit I was already a fan of his work, but had never seen a whole hour. His material is usually high in creativity, so it's only log...

NZICF In Review: Sam Smith: Live In Concert – Sam Smith

The Speakeasy

May 9, 2019

Comedy, Entertainment, NZ International Comedy Festival

Review by Grace Chua Back in the dank cellar basement where I first reviewed two twenty-year-old amateur comedians swooning over wine last year, I tried to prep myself for yet another round of breakthrough ...

NZICF In Review: Eat Slay Love – Rhiannon McCall

The Speakeasy

May 9, 2019

Comedy, Entertainment, NZ International Comedy Festival

Review by Sarah Kidd Happiness, we all want it. But how do we truly achieve it? In an age where the number of Instagram followers seems to be the preferred barometer of self-worth, social media peddlers of ...

In Review: “UP/DOWN” Cori Gonzalez-Macuer

The Speakeasy

May 9, 2019

Comedy, Entertainment, NZ International Comedy Festival, Spotlight

Review by Sarah Kidd When he isn’t playing the part of a mis-behaved vampire alongside Taika Waititi or delivering thought provoking TEDX talks, you can usually find Cori Gonzaler-Macuer on 7 Days or hangin...

NZICF In Review: Role Models – Bec Sandys, Brooke West & Audrey Porne

The Speakeasy

May 9, 2019

Comedy, Entertainment, NZ International Comedy Festival

Review by Mike Beck What happens when you exchange the academic disseminations of Jordan Peterson for a trio of sassy sisters, who deliver their stuff confidently on the comedic stage? You get one of the be...

NZICF In Review: Two Hearts – The Winery Tour

Grace Hood-Edwards

May 8, 2019

Comedy, Entertainment, NZ International Comedy Festival

An eager crowd are hustled into the Q Theatre Loft, gawking at the lovely set as they take their seats. Oak barrels adorned with glasses and bottles of wine are scattered about the stage, where vines crawl up ...

New Zealand International Comedy Festival In Review: Iconique – Chris Parker

Oliver Smith

May 8, 2019

Comedy, Entertainment, NZ International Comedy Festival

I returned to my duties as comedy reviewer/weatherman on Tuesday, to see 2018 Fred winner Chris Parker at The Vault at Q Theatre. It was opening night of his new show Iconique a show about his own icons, and h...

NZICF In Review: UP/DOWN – Cori Gonzalez-Macuer

The Speakeasy

May 8, 2019

Comedy, Entertainment, NZ International Comedy Festival

Review by Michelle Hopson Cori Gonzalez-Macuer took to the stage this evening after a three-year hiatus, the intimate theatre packed out and the true fans waiting in anticipation of the long-awaited return ...

NZICF In Review: The Comedy All-Star Showcase

Shawn Moodie

May 6, 2019

Comedy, Entertainment, NZ International Comedy Festival, Spotlight

What a difference a day makes. On Friday my partner and I were lucky enough to head down to The Classic to check out their festival preview, aptly named The Classic Comedy Fest Preview. It was a shit show,...

NZICF In Review: Coral – Emma Newborn

The Speakeasy

May 6, 2019

Comedy, Entertainment, NZ International Comedy Festival

Words Glenn Blomfield Once again its time for The NZ International Comedy Festival. Opening night was a busy affair, with hordes of people catching the first shows, I made way to Emma Newborn at the Basemen...

NZICF In Review: Full Head of steam – Guy Williams

The Speakeasy

May 6, 2019

Comedy, Entertainment, NZ International Comedy Festival

Words by Michelle Hopson After a short hiatus (holiday in New York) Kiwi comedian Guy Williams made his self-proclaimed “come back” last night, with his first show of the Comedy Festival. The show was we...

NZICF In Review: Five Star Comedy Preview

The Speakeasy

May 6, 2019

Comedy, Entertainment, NZ International Comedy Festival

Words by Otis Letwin “Fancy reviewing a comedy night?” my colleague asked me the other day. Shit yeah, of course I do. To date, my CV as a critic is exclusively limited to Uber drivers so I thought this was...

NZICF In Review: Around the World in 80 Dates – Chris Henry

Grace Hood-Edwards

May 6, 2019

Comedy, Entertainment, NZ International Comedy Festival

A late Saturday night at the Classic studio has our audience gathered to see Scottish comedian Chris Henry. The premise of his show Around the World in 80 Dates is that of a 40-year-old man who has been single...

NZICF In Review: A Party for the End of the World – White Man Behind A Desk

Grace Hood-Edwards

May 6, 2019

Comedy, Entertainment, NZ International Comedy Festival

A Party for the End of the World launches with a short projected video compilation of a variety of interviews Robbie Nicol, the titular White Man and central figure of White Man Behind A Desk, hosts about the ...