Comic timing
Several New Zealand comedians are now making their mark overseas. But there are still plenty of up-and-comers keen to follow in their footsteps.
Former busker and mime artist Sam Wills got to the 2016 finals of America’s Got Talent without having uttered a line of stand-up in New Zealand for years – or a line of anything. As “Tape Face”, he realised the full potential of his silent act only after leaving this country for Melbourne in 2008. The insanely busy Wills – who performs nightly in Las Vegas – told the Listener from the UK, “I think Kiwi comedy has definitely come of age, or at least reached another level that was definitely not available when I was coming up.”
The most lucrative offshore option, though, must be Britain.
Christchurch “Card Ninja” Javier Jarquin battled through the London comedy scene from 2010 and thrives today on the well-paid UK stand-up circuit, travelling as far as Turkey and Hong Kong for gigs.
Jarquin says the difference between obscurity or becoming the next Rose Matafeo is securing an excellent agent. Fellow Kiwi comedians who are thriving in Europe include Sully O’Sullivan, Matt Stellingwerf, Benjamin Crellin, Jarred Christmas, plus surprising success Al Pitcher, who moved to Sweden in 2010 and began winning stand-up awards in 2011. Jarquin says Pitcher is now “absolutely killing it” in Stockholm.
One thing the Kiwi comedians interviewed by the Listener have in common is they are all advocates of their fellow antipodean performers. Angella Dravid recommends Sieni Leo’o Olo; Guy Williams sings the praises of two Māori internet comedians, Leighton Clarke (Uncle Tics) and bush-shirted Jordan Watson, whose “How To Dad” videos boast up to 22 million views.
Chris Parker says ones to watch include Maria Williams (Guy Williams’ sister and one of three Williams comedy siblings); Funny Girls and Golden Boy writer Alice Snedden (Matafeo’s co-writer on
Starstruck); and Hanelle Harris, creator of the Polynesian-flavoured
Sis, which is on Comedy Central Australia.
Parker also praises James Roque, Jamaine Ross and Pax Assadi, whose eight-part
Frickin Dangerous Bro TVNZ show, he says, deserves a bigger audience and more money.
Many also mention Joe Daymond, whose series Bouncers will be aired on Comedy Central UK.