Let Your Laugh Out New Zealand!

Media release: For immediate release
LET YOUR LAUGH OUT NEW ZEALAND!

2014 NZ INTERNATIONAL COMEDY FESTIVAL
IN CAHOOTS WITH OLD MOUT CIDER
24 APRIL – 18 MAY
Hitting Auckland, Wellington & across NZ with the 2degrees Comedy Convoy
FULL FESTIVAL LINE-UP ANNOUNCED & ON SALE FRIDAY 7 MARCH

Grab your mates and be part of over three weeks of massive laughs. The 2014 NZ International Comedy Festival in cahoots with Old Mout Cider will be kicking off the laugh marathon on Thursday 24 April with the Old Mout Cider Comedy Gala at The Civic in Auckland, laughing right the way through to Last Laughs on Sunday 18 May at SKYCITY Theatre. With a plethora of hilarious international and local comics gracing our shores - this is a Comedy Festival you don’t want to miss - it’ll be funny as!

From this Friday March 7 at 10am you can get the first look at the full line-up for this year’s Festival, but you can get a sneak peak from Wednesday 5 March at 10am if you sign up at comedyfestival.co.nz.

On top of all the incredible comedians that will sojourn in Auckland and Wellington over the course of April and May, the New Zealand Comedy Trust also bring to you, the audience, a selection of hilarious showcase events, providing something tasty for all audiences.

You can’t have a festival without an opening ceremony of sorts – Sochi had the Olympic flame (if nothing else, they at least had that), and the 2014 NZ International Comedy Festival has a burning sensation of its own – the Old Mout Cider Comedy Gala(Thursday 24 April). It brings together some of the highlights of this year’s catalogue of comedians as Ireland’s Jason Byrne plays host to the likes of Reginald D Hunter, BritsJames Acaster, Sara Pascoe, Carl Donnelly and Ian D. Montfort and local favouritesPaul Ego and Urzila Carlson with more to be announced. Wellington, fear thee not either – we’ve got you covered with First Laughs (Sunday 27 April), Mc’ed by the incomparable French raconteur Marcel Lucont, and also featuring the likes of Reginald D. Hunter,Sarah Pascoe, Jon Gordillo, James Acaster, Ian D. Montfort, Ben Hurley, Paul Egoand Urzila Carlson, with more to be announced.

Speaking of Hurley, he returns to present to audiences talented comedians who may not be on their radar yet, but certainly should be. Next Big Things (Auckland on Monday 28 April& Wellington on Monday 5 May) showcases a range of emerging comedians for you to jump on the bandwagon early and cite that you were there before they became “cool”.

Live comedy is all about being part of a one-off special experience, and Le Comique at SKYCITY Theatre on Mothers Day (Sunday 11 May) will blow your mind with its mix of comedy styles that’ll have you in stitches. Hosted by the brilliant Marcel Lucont, his irreverent French style and off the cuff banter will take you on an epic comedic journey, with these shenanigans accompanied by the Hairy Soul Band.

Being a New Zealand festival, it’s important also to recognize that, despite what some may think, the country is not just Auckland and Wellington. No, really, it’s not. The 2Degrees Comedy Convoy makes it way up and down the country, led by 7Days team captain Paul Ego and featuring Markus Birdman (UK), Carl Donnelly (UK), Jarred Fell (NZ) and the return of 2003 Billy T Award winner, Justine Smith (NZ)

Of course, other favourites you know all too well return also – Late Laughs for your debauched, uncensored, no holds barred comedy fix, a peak at the future of New Zealand Comedy with the free High School workshop producing the Class Comedians Showcase, and a show for teenagers The 5PM Project hosted by Rose Matafeo. Something for big and little kids with the family friendly Stand-Up For Kids and Sticks, Stones, Broken Bones. Best of the Billy’s is this year hosted by Dai Henwood, who also takes the reigns of Last Laughs where we’ll see killer performances from the five Billy T Award nominees and The Fred Award finalists.

For Pre-Sale Access on Wednesday 5 March at 10am, head to comedyfestival.co.nz
Tickets On Sale from Friday 7 March at 10am

Old Mout Cider Comedy Gala & Old Mout Cider First Laughs
– Tickets On Sale Now!

Old Mout Cider Comedy Gala plays
Thurs 24 April, 8PM
The Civic Theatre, Cnr Wellesley & Queen Sts
Tickets $94.90 + booking fee
09 970 9700 or ticketmaster.co.nz

Old Mout Cider First Laughs plays
Sun 27 April, 7pm
The Opera House, 111-113 Manners St
Tickets $76.50 + booking fee
0800 TICKETEK (842 538) www.ticketek.co.nz

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