Masters of Stand-Up To Headline Comedy Festival

MEDIA RELEASE  March 5, 2009  
 
Masters of Stand-Up Ed Byrne and Danny Bhoy
to Headline New Zealand International Comedy Festival

For the first time ever, comedy favourites Ed Byrne and Danny Bhoy are to appear in the same New Zealand International Comedy Festival, which runs from May 1-23.
 
Both Byrne (“Ireland’s master of comedy”) and Bhoy (“one of the top comedians ever to have come out of Scotland”) kick-started their international careers by regular visits to New Zealand, each one larger and more successful than the last. Now that they are both major acts on the global comedy circuit they have not forgotten their adopted beginnings and are set to return for national tours with brand new shows in May.
 
Both comedians continue their long-time association with promoter Scott Blanks’ company comedy.co.nz productions ltd.
 
Blanks says their enduring popularity in New Zealand is due to coming here regularly with exciting new shows: “Both Ed and Danny had their first real taste of international success in New Zealand and have built a considerable local fan base over the years. Because they are both prolific writers they always return with new shows that have been sharpened during tours at home, so our audiences always get to see them at their best.”
 
Ed Byrne’s critically acclaimed new show, ‘Different Class’, is arguably his best ever and New Zealand audiences will be first in the world to see it in its first performance outside the UK. He will perform in Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch,  Dunedin, Hamilton, New Plymouth, Oamaru , Napier and Nelson.
 
“* * * * * (5stars) A seamlessly and perfectly timed show …A masterful display of the comic’s art” Sunday Times
 
Following his debut in New Zealand at the 1997 International Comedy Festival, Ed Byrne has established a legion of fans across the country. He was last seen here on a sell-out tour in 2007 when he also got engaged to his girlfriend Claire in Kaikoura. In 2008 Ed married Claire and launched his most successful tour ever in the UK with his new show ‘Different Class’.
 
“Ed Byrne is a class apart. Not pretentious, not offensive, not surreal, just a spinner of wallopingly funny yarns about life and the obstacles encountered while attempting to live it.”   Evening Standard UK Sept 2008
 
“This superb Irish comic returns with a new show about marriage, class, the youth of today and anything else that strikes him as humorous. He's in a great streak of form at the moment.”  TimeOUT UK
 
see http://www.edbyrne.com
 
Danny Bhoy also brings a new show, ‘By The Way’, developed during a phenomenal year, which has seen him cement his place as one of the biggest acts on the international comedy scene. He will perform in Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch and Hastings.
 
The 2009 tour will, no doubt, contain references to meeting his idol Billy Connolly at Montreal, being the first ever English-speaking comedian to tour India, performing at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas, his recent bomb scare at a show in London, and managing to break up a relationship on stage in Darlington. He even did a show at the British Embassy in Paris which he really isn’t supposed to talk about!
 
Since Danny’s last tour to New Zealand in 2007, he has been enjoying sell-out tours across Australia, the UK, Canada, India, Spain and Ireland.
 
"He had the crowd on side from the beginning and never let go. No surprise he got a standing O." The Montreal Gazette

Since his debut here in 2005, and following three tours, Danny Bhoy has become a crowd favourite with New Zealand audiences and promises to be on his best form following an extensive tour of Australia including another headline season at the Melbourne International Comedy Festival in April.
 
"Scotland's Danny Bhoy is impressive. His simple observations are delivered with hilarious punchlines and he creates a remarkable intimacy with his audience. A must-see."  The Age, Australia
 

ED BYRNE Tour Dates
 
Sat 2 - Sat 9 May             Auckland Skycity Theatre
Book @ Ticketek/Ph 0800Ticketek/www.ticketek.co.nz

Tue 12 May                        Hamilton Clarence St Theatre
Book @ Ticket Direct / Ph 08004Ticket / www.ticketdirect.co.nz

Thu 14 May                        New Plymouth TSB Showplace
Book @ Ticketek /Ph 0800Ticketek /www.ticketek.co.nz

Fri 15 - Sat 16 May            Wellington Opera House
Book @ Ticketek /Ph 0800Ticketek /www.ticketek.co.nz

Sun 17 May                        Napier Municipal Theatre
Book @ Ticket Direct / Ph 08004Ticket / www.ticketdirect.co.nz

Wed 20 May                        Nelson (tbc)
 
Thu 21 May                        Christchurch Isaac Theatre Royal
Book @ Ticketek /Ph 0800Ticketek /www.ticketek.co.nz

Fri 22 May                        Dunedin Glenroy Theatre
Book @ Ticket Direct / Ph 08004Ticket / www.ticketdirect.co.nz
 

Sat 23 May                        Oamaru Opera House
Book @ Ticket Direct / Ph 08004Ticket / www.ticketdirect.co.nz
 

DANNY BHOY Tour Dates

Thu 14 - Sat 16 May             Auckland Civic Theatre, The Edge
Bookings Ph 09 3573355 / on line @ www.buytickets.co.nz

Mon 18 May                        Christchurch James Hay Theatre
Book at Ticketek / Ph0800Ticketek / on line @ www.ticketek.co.nz

Date tbc                        Hastings (tbc)
 
Fri 22 -             Sat 23 May            Wellington Opera House
Book at Ticketek / Ph0800Ticketek / on line @ www.ticketek.co.nz

Ends

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