Best of the Billys

Media release: for immediate release

New Zealand Comedy Trust & SKYCITY Theatre presents
BEST OF THE BILLYS
HOSTED BY DAI HENWOOD

The hallowed “yellow towel” – bestowed each year upon one emerging New Zealand performer that, after a period of judging from their peers, is seen as the next big comedic talent to emerge from these shores. Named after comedy legend Billy T James, the Billy T Award is to comedy what the blue ribbon is to cooking.

Best Of The Billys showcases the incredible talents of some of the previous Billy T Award winners as they grace the stage of SKYCITY, Saturday 10th May as part of the2014 NZ International Comedy Festival in cahoots with Old Mout Cider.

Hosted by Dai Henwood (7Days), perhaps one of New Zealand most beloved comedians and winner of the award in 2002, yellow-towel adorned comedians demonstrate just why they were voted as excelling in their field in previous years – and just how crack-up they still are!
• 2013 Billy T Award winner Rose Matafeo, who graduated from the 2005 Class Comedians programme, earned her first award aged 17 the 2007 NZICF (“Nailed It On The Night” award.) She has systematically conquered the comedy circuit despite her relatively young age with consistently strong performances, with her crowning achievement earning the Billy T Award in 2013.
• 2006 Billy T Award winner Cori Gonzalez-Macuer, makes his stand-up return to the Comedy Festival after a three-year sabbatical. Since winning the Billy T Award, Cori went on to become a roaming reporter for The Jono Project, and is receiving strong reviews for his starring role in the Taika Waititi and Jermaine Clement comedy-horror What We Do In The Shadows.
• 2003 Billy T Award winner Justine Smith is known for her biting wit, super-fast comebacks and anarchic solo shows. Her performances in The Justine Smith Hour, Return Of The Jussi and Jussi Town, garnered critical acclaim and earned her “Best Female Comedian” at the 2008 NZ Comedy Guild Awards.
• And more to be announced.
Come celebrate true, original Kiwi comedy at its finest – one that keeps the memory of “our cuz” Billy T James alive and well in 2013.

“A masterclass of comedy… every single gag was hilarious” - TVNZ

As part of the 2014 NZ International Comedy Festival in cahoots with Old Mout Cider, grab some mates and join us for a great night of laughs
from 24 April - 18 May.

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