Overview
Its that magical time of year again, where for three weeks, the top of Queen Street turns into a melting pot of some of the funniest people from such faraway places as the UK, Ireland, Australia, Canada, and maybe even Hamilton.
It's also an even more magical time of year because Concrete Playground New Zealand now has just over 10,000 Facebook followers (Concrete Playground Auckland and Concrete Playground Wellington). We decided it was a number to celebrate, so hustled the NZ International Comedy Festival to give us ten double passes to give away (one for each of the below shows) to our lovely readers. When you smile, we smile.
If you are one of those cats who like to catch the birds that haven't even been discovered yet, then this is the show for you. New Zealand seems to have a never-ending turnstile of talented up-and-coming comedians and these are the pick of the bunch. Hosted by Ben Hurley (TV 3's 7Days), this year's line-up includes: Kate Han, Logan Kitney, Louise Beuvink, Kura Forrester, David Correos, Sam Smith, Paul Douglas, The Fan Brigade and Paul Douglas.
Saturday 25th April, 7pm, Q Theatre
Described by herself as a hilarious and unique stand-up, Deanne Smith won the Canadian Comedy Award for best Female Stand Up in 2014. Get Into It is a show based on the idea that life is ultimately meaningless, and so you might as well give things a go and just go with it. Expect audience interaction, and material that ranges from her love life, to strange interpretations of sex shows in Amsterdam.
Saturday 26th April, 7:15pm, Q Theatre
Carl Donnelly: Back with a New Show
With a 'near-death crumpet-eating experience' at last year's Old Mout Cider Comedy Gala that had the the audience crying tears of laughter, he had no choice but to come back in 2015. Carl's conversational style, hilarious anecdotes and observations on the state of the world, and how we should be dealing with it, have been described as "gripping, unmissable stand-up" by The Guardian.
Tuesday 28th April, 7pm, The Classic
Winner of the Billy T Award in 2013 and seen on TV3's Jono and Ben at Ten and 7 Days, Matafeo is one of the countries most treasured young comics. However, of late she has been seriously contemplating the inescapable reality of death. In Finally Dead, Matafeo will attempt to stage her own funeral, come and partake in the misery.
Tuesday 28th April, 8:30pm, Basement TheatreA rather ambitious play by longtime British comic Daniel Kitson, Polyphony, was given four stars by the Sydney Morning Herald. It will involve a rather manic script of around characters, whose lines have all been pre-recorded by actors and stored on cassette tapes. The ridiculous concept will require 20 audience members to unpause separate tape players at the exact same time for the play to be coherent. Described by Kitson the show itself as "a pretty epic scope, a relatively grand vision", the play is "basically, a real humdinger."
Wednesday 29th April, 7pm, Q Theatre
With a mind that was clearly birthed on some far away planet, Wakenshaw, based in London, raised in Wellington, is a master of mime, and crowd participation. The facial expressions behind his perfectly manicured moustache say it all. Ridiculous interpretations such as his guts being forced from his body after swallowing the horn of a unicorn that was once a galloping horse will give you a faint idea of what to expect.
Wednesday 29th April, 8:30pm, The Herald
This is a chance to catch five of the very best Kiwi comics in their natural habitat, away from the rules and restrictions that TV and radio appearances entail. In honour of the great man, the Billy T Award is widely regarded as the holy grail of Kiwi comedy, recognizing comedians with incredible potential. Featured in this show are the Billy T winners from past years - including Rose Matafeo and Guy Montgomery, Rhys Mathewson, Cori Gonzalez-Macuer and Nick Gibb.
Sunday 3rd May, 7pm, Sky City
With a comedy career that has spanned 15 years and included four Billy T Award nominations, Jamie Bowen still appears fairly youthful. Perhaps its the hipster beard or the ever present beanie that covers his balded scalp. That perfectly manicured facial hair serves him well as he runs his fingers through it and ponders life with some of the funniest insights imaginable. He's that comedian who makes things that don't make sense, make sense, and vice versa.
Wednesday 6th May, 8:30pm, Basement Theatre
Sunday the 10th is mum's lucky day. What better way to celebrate mothers day and than to take the old girl into the big smoke for a couple of cheeky wines and to experience a show that features comedy in all its glorious forms. Le Comique will be hosted by charming Brit, Carl Donnelly, who at last year's Gala had the audience doubled over as he described his near-death experience from trying to eat a crumpet whole. American cowboy Wilson Dixon, and an outstandingly cheeky Aussie duo The Naked Magicians, lip-smacking musical comedy pair EastEnd Cabaret from England, English gentleman Andrew Watts (Comedy Central) plus a whole lot more surprises.
Sunday 10th May, 7pm, Sky City
Cori Gonzalez-Macuer: White Background Confused Face
A little something for those with a taste for the dry, witty, and awkwardly understated. Cori is fresh from a string of shows across the USA, and a lead role in What We Do In The Shadows. Probably the least try-hard comedian you will ever see, his jokes are likely to be delivered with little to no expression. CGM's 2015 show will delve into the world of the comedian stereotype (hedonism, depression, unoriginal show names and standard poster designs).
Wednesday 13th May, 10pm, Basement Theatre
To enter the draw email auckland@concreteplayground.co.nz with the name of the show you'd like to win a double pass to, e.g. "LE COMIQUE", the worst (but still funny) joke you can come up with and your name and contact details.
N.B. There's no limit to the amount of shows you can enter the draw for, but you will have to keep sending in new jokes. Great puns will be looked upon favourably as well.
Editor's Note: Show times for giveaways have been changed. Please carefully note the new times.