Adrienne Truscott (2013 Edinburgh Fringe Panel prizewinner)
“I would’ve said [Tony] Abbott, because his tone-deafness makes it so easy, and after the George Bush years an American could basically recycle the same jokes with a quick name change! But that’s too lazy, and for my purposes Bill Cosby’s hubris is a pretty rich source for satire at the moment.”
Asking For It
Tue 5 May – Sat 9 May @ 8.30pm
Fringe Bar
Thom Adams (Writer: Public Service Announcements)
“When you really explore the world that the mainstream media (or any media, really) depicts, it’s bat-shit insane! All of the ways we look at the world around us — the news, talk shows, even adverts — they’re all this distorted reflection of reality which is so much fun to explore. The world is absurd, and comedians should embrace it.”
Who Dunne It? — Public Service Announcements
Tue 12 May – Sat 16 May @ 9pm
BATS Theatre
Tim Batt (2015 Billy T James Comedy Award nominee)
“Family values political parties and organisations. Basically, if you have the word ‘family’ in your name, I assume you are doing some very yucky stuff. The amount of red-in-the-face blowhards that get caught out for doing disgusting stuff to vulnerable people is pretty mind-blowing. Also, by extension, televangelist preachers in America. They’re the most entertaining/dangerous people around.”
Tim Batt Explores the Human Condition
Sat 25 April – Sat 16 May @ 8.15pm
Montecristo (Auckland only, sorry)
Jen O’Sullivan (Improviser/producer)
“There’s this idea that people like Paul Henry, Mike Hosking and Sean Plunket are rebels, bravely just saying what everyone’s thinking, when really they’re simply regurgitating the hardline status quo attitudes of conservatism while cheers-ing themselves on their thought leadership. Of course they’re prime targets for satire — someone’s got to crash their party.”
Definitely Not The Babysitters’ Club
Tue 28 April – Sat 2 May @ 7pm
BATS Theatre
Comedian Deconstruction
Fri 1, 8 and 15 May, Sat 2, 9 and 16 May @ 10pm
Fringe Bar
Of course this column, among other things, is an excuse to explore my favourite target — politicians. From Winston Peters grandstanding up in Northland to Peter Dunne’s battles with relevance. From Labour’s battles with Labour to John Key’s battles with his own memory. Having just returned from travelling the world, I’m looking forward to getting on stage and showing audiences a few of the more entertaining parts of Australia and the Unites States. It’s refreshing just how ridiculous our politicians can be in the grand scheme. And also how seriously we take these elected officials. I heard a friend in New York explaining to Americans that Winston is the Barack Obama of Kiwi politics. Think about that for a second…
Next month, some actual serious issues — but for now, I hope you’ll go out and support local comedy, investigate overseas acts you might not have heard of, and enjoy a decent laugh at those in power.
James Nokise
Big Words
Tue 12 May – Sat 16 May @ 7pm
VK’s Comedy and Blues Bar
