NZICF 2018: Jimmy McGhie’s Tribal Gathering

Jimmy McGhie has become a bit of a Festival regular having amassed a considerable Kiwi following since his debut two years ago. Tribal Gathering brings us more of McGhie’s trademark eloquent, charismatic discourse about life’s many intricacies.

As always, McGhie openly owns his posh English charm using it to win over the crowd. He has learned from previous visits that Kiwi audiences are a more tight-lipped bunch but that doesn’t deter him; if anything he is even more determined to engage in conversation with us and incite a response.

Over the course of the hour, McGhie tackles the joys of aging and the generation gap while coming to the acceptance that it’s the end of his youth as he knows it. His lament on suffering from three-day hangovers, millennials’ awful taste in music and somehow developing an inner dad voice overnight are highly amusing and hit home with many in the crowd.

A highlight of the evening was an elaborate, drawn-out anecdote in which McGhie reenacts a customer service meltdown that eventuated over a falsely advertised club sandwich. We get to see him exercise his acting skills – something we have not had the pleasure of seeing – by playing all parties involved to great comedic effect.

Whether you’re a millenial, baby boomer or Gen Y, Tribal Gathering will have something for everybody. Jimmy McGhie’s sharp observations make for a delightfully clever and compelling hour with not a dull moment to be had.

Jimmy McGhie is performing at The Classic from 8 – 12 May. For more details and to book tickets, click here.

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NZICF 2018: Fern Brady – Suffer, Fools!

It was Fern Brady’s first time in NZ and hopefully it won’t be the last. She performed for only 2 nights in Auckland which is a right shame as this rising comedian is a force to be reckoned with.

Brady has led quite the eventful, outlandish life and she’s here to tell us all about it. Her thick Scottish brogue, dry humor and deadpan delivery are the perfect recipe for an hour of amusing personal anecdotes and witty social commentary.

Interspersed among stories of serving eggs to paedophiles, a drug-induced plot for revenge and a harrowing near death incident, Brady also dishes out her thoughts on dating, gender politics and mental health to name a few. We also get to know her anxieties, idiosyncrasies and what makes her tick, like her loathing of “tall-y small-y” couples and inexplicable obsession with wanting to murder her boyfriend.

Brady fully embraces her quirks and though many of her experiences are so outrageous it’s almost unbelievable, she convinces us to lap it up and buy in to the crazy. Her greatest strength is her innate ability to infuse comedy into unfunny scenarios, awkward situations and just making mad oddly appealing.

Suffer, Fools! takes you on a highly entertaining autobiographical journey through Fern Brady’s life. It is a candid and comic recounting of her colourful past that is thoroughly enjoyable, gloriously self-deprecating and packs a comedic punch.

To find out where and when Fern Brady will be performing next check out her website: www.fernbrady.co.uk

NZICF 2018: Marcel Lucont Etc. – A Chat Show

Storyteller, singer, poet, host – is there anything Marcel Lucont can’t do? (He will tell you the answer is no.) New Zealand’s favourite haughty French flâneur brings his acclaimed late night chat show to this year’s Festival which features live music and a different guest each night.

We are told at the start that this is a chat and jazz show but BYO energy – those accustomed to Marcel Lucont shows know it is always a low-key affair but one that is certainly not low on entertainment value. Lucont’s saucy tales and witty repartee are fittingly complemented by the jazzy tunes of house band The Marcelites (because of course they would be named after the bon vivant himself).

Lucont kicks off the proceedings with a jazz chat where he gets to know the audience and show off his improvisational rhyming chops in one fell swoop. Kiwi audiences tend to be a lot less forthcoming so most of the dialogue was one-sided but this doesn’t faze him one bit; in keeping with his character, he effortlessly uses it as an opportunity to show you can’t best him.

The chat show portion of the evening sees Lucont settle in for a conversation with an invited guest; in this instance it was musical comedy duo The Fan Brigade. This evening was definitely a treat as when you put a hedonistic Frenchman and two sassy ladies together it’s no surprise the evening takes a brilliantly bawdy turn.

Etc. – A Chat Show is a guaranteed good time which gives Marcel Lucont fans the chance to enjoy his famous sex poetry and hedonistic escapades again as well as introduce first-timers to his deliciously risqué brand of comedy gold. It is the perfect late night rendezvous to start off your weekend.  

Marcel Lucont Etc. – A Chat Show is on tonight and tomorrow at Q Theatre before heading to San Fran in Wellington. For more info and to book tickets, click here.

The Fan Brigade are performing in Wellington 8-12 May at Te Auaha in Wellington. Their Auckland season is the following week however they are all but sold out so they have added an extra show on 19 May at 5:30pm – best book now before you miss out! For more info, click here.

 

NZICF 2018: 5 Star Comedy Preview

The well established 5 Star Comedy Preview is always a great precursor to the NZ International Comedy Festival for punters and novices alike. This year’s showcase boasts a solid lineup of rising stars in the international circuit, returning favorites as well as more seasoned acts.

The Mexican bundle of energy that is El Jaguar was our dynamic host of the evening’s festivities and boy is he good at it! He is a natural entertainer and uses his jovial persona to easily keep the audience engaged and in high spirits, even managing to orchestrate an impromptu Mexican wave complete with party props.

After such a lively start, Ian Smith‘s easygoing style of comedy is the ideal first act to ease us in to what we’re all there to do – have a good laugh. He makes the usual run-of-the-mill humorous quips about being a first timer to NZ but where Smith really hits his stride is when he regales us with an amusing anecdote about the time he went dog sledding. He has a clear penchant for storytelling which leaves you only wanting to hear more.

Phil Wang is up next and if you hadn’t heard of him before, after his comic routine of recurrently introducing himself, you’re unlikely to forget his name. While making fun of one’s heritage is not a new thing, there is something quite refreshing about Wang’s approach. He uses his mixed parentage to great comedic effect, nonchalantly poking fun at and playing to popular stereotypes.

It’s quite satisfying to see a seemingly unassuming comedian totally hold their own onstage and this is what Lauren Pattison did. Don’t let her svelte stature and sweet persona fool you – her comedy has bite. From her lament about looking young to how she found herself a foster mum at the zoo, she had us lapping her every word.

Rounding up the first half is the irreverent Fin Taylor. He forewarns us at the start that his comedy has been described as provocative which is a pretty accurate assessment. We get swept up in Taylor’s impassioned rants which hurtle along at breaking speed; his harrowing tale about a spinning incident in particular had the crowd between horrified gasps and side-splitting guffaws.

NZ’s favorite Welshman Lloyd Langford is back and kicks off the second half. There is always something about NZ that bewilders Langford and this year it’s infomercials. His deep Welsh brogue just pairs so perfectly with his delightfully deadpan delivery which made his anecdote about a massage gone wrong even more hilarious.

The always well-dressed Jimmy McGhie, another Festival favorite, is up next with a solid set about how different generations view the world. His observations on the baby boomer generation in particular are so funny only because it’s so true and resonated with the audience. McGhie’s ability to find the funny in life’s hard truths is what makes his comedy so enjoyable.

Last to take the stage is Andrew Maxwell who draws you in effortlessly with his brand of sharp comedy and social commentary in that distinctive Dublin drawl. He is enjoying being back in NZ, or “Polynesian Scotland” as he likes to call it. Being a self-professed news junkie, Maxwell’s material is largely topical, though for this set he pays particular focus on Australia’s lack of newsworthy news.

Once again the 5 Star Comedy Preview delivers a solid night of laughs which will leave you hungry for more. To get a taste of the international comics that are on our shores for this year’s Festival, this is a great place to start.

All these acts have solo shows at the Festival in the coming weeks – click on their names for more info. Some of them are also performing at The Big Show and Comedy All Stars at the Bruce Mason Centre. Go check ’em out!

 

NZICF 2018: Billy T Jams

Another year, another comedy fest! The well established Billy T Jams kicks off as a precursor to the festival and is also a great opportunity to check out the acts who are in the running for the Billy T award which aims to recognize and support up-and-coming comedians in the local circuit.

This year’s showcase was hosted by former winner Rhys Mathewson who was in fine form with his charmingly self-deprecating style of comedy and sharp wit. It’s really great to see those up for the award were predominantly females which says a lot about the future of New Zealand comedy.

Last year’s Best Newcomer winner and indisputable “long human” Melanie Bracewell kicked the evening off. Her archetypal woes of the single woman were given new light and humor with her quirky yet spot on analogies on usual suspect topics like dating, sex and social media.

Next to take the stage was Alice Snedden with material that was similarly standard fare yet her dry observational humor had some good comic moments. Where she really got into her stride was when sharing stories about her mum who it seems has a penchant for comedy too.

Comedians turned self-proclaimed pop stars Two Hearts (Laura Daniel and Joseph Moore) closed the first half with their irreverent brand of musical satire. Though pairing music and comedy is not new, this boisterous duo easily entertain with their delightfully catchy and facetious tunes about love (the fan girling type) and slutty ghosts.

Donna Brookbanks‘ elaborate introduction which was like a reverse crowd surf was probably a bit overkill but it is very much part of her schtick. Her socially awkward persona couple well with the physical theatre she brings to her performance for an oddly endearing set.

James Malcolm rounds up the cast of this year’s nominees with casual banter about being a gay icon (according to a teenage fan) which he uses as a springboard to crowd test his gaydar and also a rather harrowing tidbit about his over-sharing mother. While he doesn’t bring anything particularly new to the table, his material had good comedic value.

Last year’s winner Angella Dravid closes the show with her unique brand of low key comedic storytelling. There is something really appealing about her trademark nervous disposition and awkward demeanor – you can’t help but be drawn in to her anecdotes.

All in all, it was a good laugh out that has got the laughing muscles itching for more. Bring on the festival!

All these 2018 nominees have solo shows at the upcoming New Zealand International Comedy Festival which kicks off from 26 April for just over 3 weeks. Check out comedyfestival.co.nz for dates and more info.

 

 

 

 

A Slightly Isolated Dog: Santa Claus

Don your antlers and put up those festive fairy lights as it’s that time of the year again – the much anticipated annual Christmas show at The Basement Theatre! This year’s edition Santa Claus has all the right ingredients for the perfect end-of-year Christmas treat.

The “very famous and very French” quartet that make up A Slightly Isolated Dog (Hayley Sproull, Jack Buchanan, Andrew Paterson, Susie Berry) are the gracious hosts of the festivities, adorning audience members with tinsel while engaging in pleasant banter. The arena theatre and cabaret style seating work well to further accentuate this communal, merrymaking atmosphere.

The show kicks off in very much the same vein – there is no Fourth Wall or traditional stage with the action taking place and story unfolding all around you. Conversations that took place earlier are auspiciously incorporated into the narrative, shaping it and adding comedic value at opportune moments. Audience members are also regularly called on to get involved in the hysterical high jinks of the evening.

Part sketch comedy, part musical with a whole lot of improv and a generous helping of raucous shenanigans to boot, this is a jam-packed show with many moving parts. As is tradition, each performance has a mystery guest; ours was RadioLIVE broadcaster ‘Moustachio Sex God’ Mark Sainsbury who was a great sport and took it all in his stride.

The improvisational nature of this type of production keeps things unpredictable which makes for quite an exciting experience. What unravels is heavily reliant on audience participation and the special cast member but Sproull, Buchanan, Paterson and Berry never once lose control of the plot and coupled with their sharp wit adeptly manage any hiccups or unexpected turns.

From Christmas gifts with a twist to a hilariously irreverent full-fledged Christmassacre, Santa Claus turns what we know of the silly season and the jolly man in the red suit on its head. For a riotous outing of festive fun and frivolity that promises a rollicking good time, this is the ticket.

Santa Claus will be causing mayhem at the Basement Theatre until 20th December. For more details and to book tickets, click here.

 

Auckland Philharmonia Orchestra and The Dust Palace: Midnight

For one night only, the APO, who are known for their first-rate, innovative work, team up with The Dust Palace, touted as Auckland’s leading circus theatre company, to bring a magical evening of breathtaking cirque and glorious symphony. When two powerhouses such as these two come together, you just know you’re in for an incredible theatre experience.

Midnight is a delightful and captivating tale that takes place both on the stage and in the air perfectly complemented by a full-size onstage orchestra who deliver a spellbinding score which include notable works from Mendelssohn, Chopin and Tchaikovsky. The audience are taken on a fantastical journey of acrobatic and orchestral proportions with a bit of comedy and mime thrown in for good measure.

The premise takes place in an enchanted land and when the King takes ill, the Queen calls on the Doctor for help and together they go on a quest seeking medicine that will save him. Along the way they come across an array of otherworldly beings like impish forest creatures, floating fairies in hula hoops and formidable stilt-walking spirits who dance, leap, contort and fly in effortless harmony with the melliflous soundtrack.

The troupe of performers who play the cast of characters do so with grace and impressive skill, seamlessly pulling off a stunning repertoire of circus and physical artistry from jaw-dropping contortion to gasp-inducing aerial acrobatics. Credit must be given to Eve Gordon and Mike Edward for the dynamic choreography and superb direction; equally the APO are in top form, operating like a well-oiled machine, with David Kay at the helm.

Midnight brings together New Zealand’s finest cirque performers and orchestral musicians for an extraordinary evening that is a treat for the eyes and ears. This enthralling collaboration is a beautiful celebration of circus and symphony deserving of a full season as put simply it is an experience that needs to be seen far and wide.

To find out when APO will be performing next, click here.

To find out when The Dust Palace will be performing next, click here.

Rollicking Entertainment presents The Dunstan Creek Haunting

Whether you are a believer or a skeptic, there’s something eerie about a ghost story that’s based on real-life events. The Dunstan Creek Haunting explores the spooky happenings that took place in St Bathans, Central Otago (formerly known as Dunstan Creek) during the gold rush era which is reportedly the most haunted region in New Zealand.

Dave and Lizzie are keen paranormal investigators whose appetite for the supernatural lead them to dig deeper into this former mining town with a dark past. They present to us their findings in the form of a series of slides with the main focus of their discourse being the Vulcan Hotel which hosts the town’s most famous ghostly resident, Rose McKendry.

The show’s synopsis and publicity make it no secret that there is more to expect than just visual aids and reenactments, that the performers’ affable disposition and jovial banter is really a red herring to mislead us. Slowly but surely we get a sense there is something sinister lurking underneath the surface; not knowing when and how things are going to unravel is what keeps the audience on edge.

The narrative turns on its head when a chilling presence disrupts the proceedings prompting the space to quite literally come to life through clever staging and well thought out trickery. The timing is pitch perfect  and paced effectively to create an increasingly tense and unsettling atmosphere. There is a very palpable air of dread and foreboding among the audience which Dave and Lizzie skilfully harness and build on until the most heart-pounding, thrilling conclusion.

Part seminar, part séance and full on nerve-wrecking, The Dunstan Creek Haunting is a terrifyingly excellent take on the horror theatre genre. It is brilliantly crafted and thoughtfully designed to be a genuinely harrowing experience that is sure to unnerve even the biggest of cynics.

The Dunstan Creek Haunting is at the Herald Theatre until 31st October. For more details and to book tickets, click here.

Carbolic Productions: The Revue 2017 – Last Call

What happens when you put an army of young working professionals together and allow them to use the stage as their creative outlet? For those not already in the know, The Revue is an annual artistic get-together by Carbolic Productions very akin to popular comedy variety show Saturday Night Live.

Last Call is another jam-packed program featuring a fun and facetious smorgasbord of skits, jokes, videos, live music, dance and even the odd informercial thrown in for good measure. This year’s shindig has been set up to be the ‘best party in town’ and for the most part, they do deliver the goods.

The main over-arching storyline centres around a group of friends at the aftermath of a party which feels much like the premise of Hollywood flick The Hangover. Interspersed between their piecing together the night before and the lineup of short sketches, the audience are also treated to tunes by Revue house band “The Look”.

From hilarious puns and comic one-liners to silent film mimicry and satirical musical numbers, there is a little something for everyone. Particularly enjoyable and impressive was the hip hop performance near the end of act one – judging by the applause that was the clear crowd favorite of the night.

With such a massive cast and the narrative made up of so many varying vignettes there are a lot of moving cogs in this show. It is no surprise then that it requires a band of directors to pull the whole thing together and credit must be given to Shuchi Ghosh, Alysha Jensen and Shawn Moodie for managing to bring such a massive operation to the stage.

There are some solid comedic gems but there were also some misses.  The main plot point didn’t feel altogether necessary while the format of this style of show unavoidably involved a lot of fading in and out and logistical activity which did feel quite distracting. The infectious energy of the cast does somewhat make up for it and the inclusion of the band in the proceedings was definitely a welcome break as well.

The Revue 2017: Last Call is an entertaining albeit mixed bag but with such an eclectic selection on offer, there will be something to tickle everyone’s funny bone. For a night out at the theatre that offers something a little different, give this a go.

Check out Carbolic Productions to find out more about this project and follow them to be in the know about next year’s Revue.

 

 

Dark Lake: A Hunted Interactive Experience

Theatre is all about escapism – a good work should transport you, incite emotion and hopefully resonate in your memory. This interactive walkthrough play, likened to an Edgar Allen Poe story, certainly ticks all these boxes.

Dark Lake is a unique, horror-themed theatrical offering where there is no stage or seats and the Fourth Wall between performer and audience member doesn’t exist. Set outdoors at nightfall with staggered start times that only allow for a small group each time, it gives the audience a whole different, thrilling way to experience theatre.

Just as it requires a level of daring to attend this play, it takes guts – and skill – to put on a production like this as in the wrong hands it could teeter towards the style over substance territory. Thankfully the Hunted team are not amateurs in this game and it shows.

A premise like this relies heavily on creating an environment that is not overly orchestrated so it allows the audience to suspend their disbelief and invest in the story. The company have achieved this brilliantly along with building and maintaining a palpable ominous feeling in the air. Familiar ground take on a more sinister quality in the dark and as there is no stage, the parameters of the performance space have been completely redefined. As the story progresses, there is a very real sense of dread and you constantly find yourself looking in all directions in anticipation for what’s next.

What really sets this apart from your standard theatre piece is the interactive aspect. The experience is set up so that you are meant to engage with what’s happening and while you can be as involved as you want to be, you also should be prepared to do what is required to proceed. The narrative evolves organically depending on how you as a group choose to act and react as things unfold which keeps things unpredictable and malleable.

While the characters you encounter on the journey are interesting and disturbing in equal measure, there is room to delve deeper to give this macabre story more depth. Similar can be said about the puzzles peppered along the way – more of these would have upped the stakes and enhanced the narrative. The experience is considerably short so there is definitely potential to push the envelope further and increase the eerie factor that bit more.

Dark Lake is a well crafted, thoroughly unsettling and chillingly atmospheric experience that will have you on edge from start to finish. It is not for everyone but if you can brave it, this is an unforgettable, visceral experience that challenges the boundaries of what theatre could be and where it can go.

Dark Lake is in multiple cities across New Zealand. The exact location is secret and will be emailed to you once you have booked tickets. Most dates are already sold out so get in quick! For dates and more details, click here.