Prepare for laughs as Billy T Nominee heads to Christchurch
Finding yourself is hard. Finding your someone is harder.
2024 Billy T Nominee Advait Kirtikar, known for his super dry performance and “killer timing”, is set to unveil his latest stand-up comedy creation, Who Dis?, in Christchurch.
Delving into “mixed messages and missed connections”, the show will premiere at the Little Andromeda Theatre on Saturday.
Following its debut, the Wellington-based comic will deliver the same uproarious performance for the upcoming NZ International Comedy Festival this May in Auckland and Wellington.
“I don't have any changes planned for my show in Christchurch compared to the other ones ...
“I just hope to put on a good show for people to enjoy,” Kirtikar said.
The show is about missed connections – “mostly romantic ones” – and tells the tale of his adventure to find a beautiful girl he randomly saw at a rock climbing gym.
“It’s a Cinderella-inspired story where I hope to find her and start a passion for the second love of my life”, he said.
He first gave comedy a go at the Christchurch Raw Comedy Quest in 2015 and has been hooked ever since. He is a fixture on the Wellington comedy circuit and has performed across multiple comedy and fringe festivals across NZ.
“I’m a competitive person by nature, so having the element of competition gave me the extra motivation I needed to get on stage for the first time.”
By day, he’s a qualified actuary. He holds a black belt in karate, has a background in gymnastics, and enjoys rock climbing in his spare time.
“Always try something new, and have a good work-life balance ... [they] are key to find good jokes,” Kirtikar said.
There has been an increase in the popularity of stand up in Christchurch, especially since the Good Times comedy club opened a few years ago, he added.
“I’m pretty low energy on stage, very laid back and chill. So I like to think in the sense of you guys [the audience] bring the energy. I’ll bring the jokes, and we can have a good time together, he said.
After premiering his show in Christchurch on Saturday, Kirtikar will perform in the New Zealand International Comedy Festival, from May 7 to 11, at The Cavern Club in Wellington, and at Basement Theatre’s Studio in Auckland from May 21 to25.