Overview
Mark your calendars because the Best Foods Comedy Gala is back for 2024, with New Zealand's beloved viral comedian Chris Parker at the hilarious helm. From Friday, May 3–Friday, May 24, the New Zealand International Comedy Festival will be taking over Aotearoa's biggest cities for the 31st time, with the Gala marking the start of the hysterical three weeks in both Auckland and Wellington.
Host Parker has had an incredible couple of years in the comedy industry, from finding his niche on social media and going viral with stereotypical impressions only Kiwis would understand to being awarded the prestigious Topp Prize in 2022.
The Gala's debut performance will be in Tāmaki Makaurau on Friday, May 3, 2024, where Parker will be joined by a number of talented Australasian comedians, including Australian Heath Franklin, known for his performances as Chopper; fellow Australian Takashi Wakasugi, a Japanese-born comedian with unique takes on everyday Australian life; and newcomer He Huang, who the audience might remember for her viral Australia's Got Talent stand-up performance.
Joining the Australian crew is Have You Been Paying Attention and The Great Kiwi Bake Off host Hayley Sproull, Paddy Gower Has Issues newsreader Eli Matthewson, 2020 Gala host Pax Assadi, Parker's former Celebrity Treasure Island teammate Brynley Stent and Public Frenemy's Nazeem Hussain.
UK-based comedian Alice Snedden will be coming home for the occasion, following a successful run of her television show Starstruck, which she writes alongside Kiwi talent Rose Matafeo.
This comical crew will then head down to the capital the following day on Saturday, May 4 and do it all again at Wellington's Opera House.
Updated February 9.
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