The Classic Late and Live

Overview

The New Zealand International Comedy Festival has started with a hiss and a heckle, but with so many shows to choose from, how do you decide which is for you? The Classic Late & Live. Two hours of stand up lucky dip: a choice selection of festival comedians for your devouring pleasure.

10pm is a great time to go and see some comedy and our friendly local comedy club, The Classic, is the perfect venue. Small enough to get up close and personal if you're feeling brave and big enough to hide at the back if you're not.

But wait, that's not all. The best thing about The Classic Late & Live is that it's a mixed bag. It's the perfect show for comedy novices and commitment phobes. Late & Live's the ideal way to see if you find the comedians funny without having to sit through an hour-long sketch you just don't get.

At Late & Live you'll be treated to 5 comedians, plus an MC to get you in the mood. We were lucky enough to have Markus Birdman, who worked the crowd well and set the tone for the evening. Following the Brit was our local 'ethnic comic' Pax with his array of accents and impressions. Next up was Aussie Luke Heggie, a master of one liners and dead-pan delivery and to finish the first half, cowboy Wilson Dixon.

After the break we were treated to the razor-sharp wit of James Acaster, a fresh face on the UK comedy circuit, and to round off the mix, his fellow countryman Andrew Bird. Some half-hearted hecklers and uncooperative audience members really put the comics to the test, but they made the most of what they got. I'm not sure what is was about the Bird men (Markus Birdman + Andrew Bird = weird coincidence), but they were the ones that made me laugh the hardest. All in all it was a great mix of different comedy styles and exactly the taster you need to know who you want to see again.

The Classic Late & Live's line-up varies from night to night, so you can be guaranteed you'll never see the same show twice. Seems to me there are plenty of good reasons to go again.