Top picks ...
Star-Times columnist and comic offers his comedy festival picks.
Ihate doing these ‘‘craplebrity picks’’ partly because it’s awkward for me as a performer doing my own show, but also because the other craplebrities picks are always kinda garbage.
People pick friends’ shows and random international acts who they haven’t seen but have a good resume. This year for my picks I’ve gone straight to my calendar and just grabbed five shows that I’m actually planning on going to.
Ed Gamble
I used to love his Sketch/podcast duo ‘‘Peacock and Gamble’’. Google them and you’ll pretty much be sold on wanting to see Ed live.
Frickin Dangerous Bro
The New Zealand comedy fest isn’t great for word of mouth or underground hits but these guys are as close as it comes to be the sleeper hit of last year’s festival.
They do three-man sketch comedy that always reminds me a little bit of Billy T James. Sorry if I’ve now burdened them with expectations they can’t possibly live up to, but I love watching them.
Laura Daniel and Joseph Moore ‘‘Two Hearts’’ Guy Williams
improv with the group Snort) but last year he was nominated for the ‘‘Fred’’ Award for best New Zealand show at the comedy festival (Rhys Mathewson, the winner, is also definitely worth checking out) and his final set made me disappointed that I missed his show. I shall not be making the same mistake this year!
And the rest ...
Other shows I’m going to go to but I didn’t put on this list due to massive conflicts of interest, or jealousy that they’re doing better than me, so I don’t wanna give them the support: Aunty Donna, Eli Matthewson, Becky Lucas, Alice Snedden, Daniel Sloss, Guy Montgomery, Matt Okine, Nazeem Hussain, Paul Williams, Eric Endre, Andy Zaltzman, and my own show which I kind of have to go to.
Guy Williams’ is on in Auckland April 28 to May 4, and Wellington May 19-21 before touring nationwide. All tickets are available at comedyfestival.co.nz
Why Am I like this?