Tag: NZICF 2018

NZICF 2018: Arj Barker – Organic

With thirty years of experience under his belt, Arj Barker is a seasoned pro who has well cemented himself in the comedy circuit beyond his Flight of the Conchords fame. It’s been a couple of years since his last visit to our shores so he has a few things to update us on.

Organic is a fitting title for this show as while Barker’s style has always been more on the laidback side and this still holds true, there is something even more stripped back about his performance this time round. He is now a married man which could be the reason and it is adjusting to this new phase in his life which forms the comedic backbone of this show.

Barker’s recent transition to a gluten free lifestyle (thanks to his wife) is a recurring theme and particular highlight. He channels his struggle to adapt by giving popular gluten foods new meaning with amusing nicknames like “bread in a bottle” and “nautical seafaring bread” to hilarious effect.

Whether it’s debating Uber versus taxis, discussing flying business class or lamenting about the social etiquette around talking about Game of Thrones in public, Barker has the audience thoroughly engaged with his comic wordplay, sharp irony and perfectly timed punchlines. His closing set sees him treat us with a bit of musical comedy which adds another great comedic element to the show.

Organic is another enjoyable offering from Arj Barker filled with perceptive observations and entertaining anecdotes delivered in that signature style of his. As an added bonus, if after the show you still can’t get enough, after the show you can purchase some funny “Arjisms” to take home with you!

Arj Barker had only two shows at SKYCITY Theatre this year but I’m sure he will be back in NZ again soon! To find out when and where he is performing next, visit www.arjbarker.com

He has also started a hilarious DIY YouTube channel you should totally subscribe to – check it out here.

 

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NZICF 2018: El Jaguar – Telenovela

Retired wrestler turned stand up comedian El Jaguar is back in Auckland and this time he is teaching a masterclass! It has always been a dream of his to direct his own telenovela which he explains is a Mexican soap opera (or to put it in terms Kiwis will understand: “Shortland Street but spicy”).

The hallmark of an El Jaguar show is that there isn’t a Fourth Wall and that it is very much an interactive experience. El Jaguar actively incites conversation with several individuals in the crowd, even managing to get some form of response from the more reluctant participants.

We are also told there are four cornerstones that build a good soap and throughout the course of the hour El Jaguar runs us through these components. Audience members’ improv skills are put to the test as he  enlists their help to demonstrate and inevitably bring his telenovela to life.

There’s something quite magical about El Jaguar’s style in that while the show relies heavily on audience participation, Derek Flores – the man behind the mask – is a deft improviser so pulls it off seamlessly with skill and cunning. From orchestrating a Mexican “look” wave to setting up an elaborate sequence of events which culminates in a family portrait, he brings the crowd on an escapade of fantastically farcical proportions.

Telenovela is an absurdly fun and frivolous caper that encourages you to get out of your comfort zone and embrace the silly. El Jaguar’s offbeat brand of comedy isn’t for everyone but for those looking for something a bit different at the Festival, you can’t go any more wonderfully irregular than this.

There’s just one more opportunity to attend El Jaguar’s masterclass Telenovela. Take a punt on something new at the Festival – go check this out tonight (19 May) at The Classic! For more info and to book tickets, click here.

NZICF: Brendon Green – My Mates Dave

Brendon Green knows many Daves and he is pretty sure you do too. When he was at a wedding and there were seven Daves present (three of which were in the wedding party alone) this sparked his fascination with the name and what it is to be a Dave.

My Mates Dave takes the audience on an anecdotal journey through the Daves in Green’s life and explores the theory that your name determines the person you are and how you live your life. There are seven drawings on stage, one to symbolize each Dave, which serve as reference points to each short story.

There is frenemy Dave (Green’s first Dave that sets the Dave bar), serial online dater Dave, surfer friend Dave, even a furry feline Dave. Green talks about these characters and recounts his chosen memory of them in that detailed, illustrative way that he is incredibly adept at, painting such a vivid picture of the interaction it feels like we were there ourselves.

Though they are all different Daves, Green points out that every one of them uncannily bears similar traits, applying the notion that every Dave is an exact, specific type of person. This seems far too general a statement to make yet Green does an excellent job at convincing us.

This is another enjoyable offering from Brendon Green that is the perfect blend of comedy, charm and candor. Green is a charismatic storyteller who just knows how to spin a good yarn and this is what makes his comedy so wonderfully compelling.

Brendon Green has just one more show at Q tonight (19 May) at 10pm. Go get some late night yarns! For more info and to book tickets, click here.

NZICF 2018: Tony Lyall – Just Kidding

From off-stage, Tony Lyall gets the crowd’s attention with the big F word – fornication. Quoting Michael Bolton’s famous words, Lyall explains that when a man loves a woman something amazing can happen. For him, that something was becoming a father.

In this year’s show Just Kidding Lyall shares with us how his life has changed now that he has a baby to care for. He is especially cynical of nursery rhymes, fables and Disney films – he doesn’t trust them to teach kids about the world which he proceeds to prove by acutely turning the tale of the Gingerbread Man on its head, revealing the underlying dark message beneath.

He also shrewdly analyzes that iconic scene in The Lady and the Tramp swiftly dispelling the notion that dogs behave so coyly around a plate of spaghetti. What about the other diners? What is their food hygiene rating? These are pertinent questions Lyall poses to drive the point home. One huge serving of trout spaghetti (do not try at home) and an ill-fated road trip later, we are thoroughly convinced (and more than a little bit queasy) that dogs should never be offered pasta.

From cracking that cryptic real estate code to his logic behind why his son Arden is not named after the Prime Minister, Lyall’s material is a wealth of sharp witticisms that is engaging as it is entertaining. He has a very “every man” quality about him which make his material accessible, even if you’re not a parent.

Just Kidding is another enjoyable hour from Tony Lyall, this time with added world-weariness from being a new father. It is an hour of insightful dialogue and keen observations from an adept comedian that will surely tickle your funny bone.

Tony Lyall’s Just Kidding is on at Q for 2 more nights (until 19 May). For more info and to book tickets, click here.

NZICF 2018: Laura Daniel X Joseph Moore – Two Hearts: Restart the Hearts

Restart the Hearts proves that you don’t need an arena to pull off a gig that has that full-scale live concert vibe. With bangin’ vocals, killer moves, flashy lights, confetti and a whole lot of sparkles, this musical comedy spectacle has all the right ingredients for a rollicking good time.

It’s been a year since Laura Daniel and Joseph Moore joined forces to become pop music duo Two Hearts however much to their dismay they are still being haunted by their comedian past. After a few funny attempts at turning the show into a stand up routine – which if anything showcased how in sync the two of them are – they succumb to their true pop star selves.

Over the course of the hour, the humble little Loft at Q transforms into a mini stadium as Daniel and Moore have the crowd completely engaged and hooked on their brand of riotous musical satire. There are silly songs about revenge porn and PMS induced divas as well as tunes with an underlying message like a comical ode to the independent woman that turned out to be about sexual harassment.

Along the way there are onstage costume changes, backup dancers going rogue and cheering matches between the left and right side of the room. A show like this can veer on the trite, gimmicky side but Daniel and Moore toe that line brilliantly thanks to their shrewd songwriting and electric stage presence.

Restart the Hearts is a fabulously fun and facetious party of comedic and musical proportions. It is irresistibly irreverent, unashamedly audacious and a thoroughly intoxicating experience that will leave you wanting more.

Two Hearts will be performing at Q Theatre until 19 May. For more info and to book tickets, click here.

NZICF 2018: Lloyd Langford

Welsh Festival favorite Lloyd Langford is back on our shores and contrary to the publicity that is out there, he attests it is not the name of the show. His suggested show name that didn’t make the cut is equal parts hilarious as it is inappropriate and kicks off the hour on a high which Langford effortlessly maintains.

He gets the most obvious thing out of the way at the start: his deep, deadpan voice which is thickly laced in that distinct Welsh brogue. In true self-deprecating fashion, Langford lists the drawbacks of sounding like him which he builds brilliantly to an amusing anecdote where he finally discovers a perk to having a voice and diction like his.

Over the course of the hour, we are regaled with stories from his travels like harrowing hotel experiences and the time he got a full bodily assault from a robot. Langford also entertains us with his signature whimsical observations like what he thinks is more fatal to Brits than terrorism (the answer is balconies) or why we should never introduce birds to meat.

From dead celebrities to pedophile hunting before nonchalantly seguing into the time he unwittingly got sexually molested in Pattaya by a masseuse, no topic is left uncovered and there is nothing Langford can’t put a comedic spin to. His strength lies in his ability to tell a good story with perfectly timed punchlines and just the right amount of droll.

Lloyd Langford delivers yet another excellent and engaging hour of comedic candor that is sure to give your laughing muscles a workout. His style of anecdotal comedy is the perfect treat for anytime – the weekend, end of the week, heck even middle of the week – just go see him!

Lloyd Langford’s Auckland run has finished and is in Wellington this weekend however his season has sold out! Consequently an extra show has been added this Saturday 19 May at 5:45pm at the Te Auaha Theatre. Get in quick! For more info and to book tickets, click here.

NZICF 2018: Phil Wang

When your last name is Wang, why not milk it for all it’s worth? Phil Wang has mastered the art of incorporating his name into any scenario or sentence to comical effect. It is this brilliant balance of silly and smart comedy that make this show such an enjoyable experience.

With a Malaysian Chinese father and mother from Stoke-on-Trent, Wang is a product of the British empire and it’s this dichotomy which shapes his material. He takes turns tackling both cultures, poking fun and playing in to common Asian stereotypes as well as critiquing the all too well known idiosyncrasies of the British.

Over the course of the hour we get to know a lot about Wang and what makes him tick. He hates scary movies, is a closet baby enthusiast (especially the fat, confused kind) and has a hilariously elaborate plan on how he will pull off a hero’s death. These eccentricities range from the relatable to the outlandish but all garner laughs effortlessly under Wang’s deft comedic eye.

In between these droll musings, Wang also takes the opportunity to share his political views with the crowd. His thoughts on racism, post-colonialism and notion of Britishness from the perspective of an immigrant are particularly compelling and insightful.

Overall this debut offering from Phil Wang was a solid and engaging hour of political-personal commentary without a dull moment to be had. His dual ethnic identity brings something quite unique to the table, one which resonated well among Kiwi crowds with NZ being such a melting pot of cultures.

Phil Wang pretty much sold out his entire run at The Classic so here’s hoping this is the first visit of many to our shores! There’s still an opportunity to see him in Wellington as part of The Big Show in Te Auaha which is on until 19 May. For more info and to book tickets, click here.

 

NZICF 2018: Alexis Dubus Verses the World

There’s no denying it: Alexis Dubus has a way with words. This show is not your average stand-up offering – in fact it is classified as “spoken word” back home we are told – but make no mistake; Dubus is an adept comedian so laughs will certainly be had.

Over the course of the hour Dubus uses his knack for rhyme and rhythm to deliver an enjoyable repertoire of silly songs and playful poetry with some jokes weaved in for good measure. He reels you in from the get-go with his whimsical opening number that is a catchy play on the title which perfectly encapsulates the tone and theme of the show.

From a harrowing but hilarious ditty about a belching masseuse to a fervent diatribe about bananas, he has the audience hooked on every cleverly crafted quip, ode and verse. We quickly learn that if he has an opinion about something, he’ll have written a poem about it in his trusty wee notebook.

As with his previous spoken word offerings, Dubus’ strengths as a skilled wordsmith and dynamic storyteller shine through along with his affable disposition to make for a captivating sitting. His dexterity at lyrical prose and ease at spinning comedic gold from a good pun is impressive and make him an absolute master of his craft.

Alexis Dubus Verses The World offers something a little different at the Festival from your standard comedy fare. It is a delightful jaunt of quirky yarns, fetching tunes and witty wordplay that will thoroughly entertain and resonate with you in the days following.

Alexis Dubus Verses The World is at Wellington’s Fringe Bar tonight and tomorrow (11 and 12 May). For more details and to book tickets, click here.

NZICF 2018: Andrew Maxwell – Showtime

With 22 years at the Edinburgh Fringe under his belt, Andrew Maxwell is no stranger in the international comedy circuit and Festival scene. It’s his first time back on our shores in almost 2 decades and he is still as fascinated with “Polynesian Scotland” as ever.

The thing that amuses Maxwell the most about NZ (and our neighbors across the ditch) is our lack of news, or rather what we deem newsworthy. As an avid news junkie, he craves to remain connected to the goings on around him and beyond so is sorely disappointed when he discovers the most exciting to happen is cats on buses.

Maxwell also pokes fun at countries further afield like Germany’s odd spa rules and the Italians’ desire to be heckled at comedy shows. He doesn’t spare his homeland either; his shrewd observations on Cork residents being obsessed with themselves and that scary Belfast accent are comically spot on if you’re in the know.

Amidst his thoughts on Brexit, racism and American police, Maxwell also weaves in more personal material like his relationship with his teenage son and being married to a Muslim. It’s an interesting dichotomy, pairing personal and political but he manages to make it work, proving he can nail the everyday slice-of-life type comedy too.

Showtime is a sharp, engaging and insightful hour of topical discourse from Maxwell who has his pulse firmly on the world’s happenings and uses his seasoned comedic eye to find the funny and garner laughs easily. His style of comedy is not for everyone but for those who like their laughs with a generous serving of political and social commentary, this is the ticket.

Andrew Maxwell will be performing at the Classic until 12 May. For more details and to book tickets, click here.

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.