Get Ready To Laugh Your Mask Off

It’s been a long year. A long few years, actually, and everyone is in need of a bit of a laugh, which is why Toitoi – Hawke’s Bay Arts & Events Centre has got together with their friends at Common Room, Spaceship and the Hawke’s Bay Arts Festival to bring you a whole weekend of deep belly laughs at the end of this month.

Donna Brookbanks

Laugh Your Mask Off will take place over four days, from July 28-31, across four venues in the city. Tickets to all 19 shows are just $25 each (plus fees) and have gone on sale at 9am this morning (subs: Friday, July 1).

Toitoi Kaiwhakahaere Ratonga Whakaari - Presenter Services Manager Glen Pickering says he’s wanted to create an annual weekend of comedy for Hastings since he started at Toitoi, back in 2019.

“But ol’ mate Covid kept getting in the way! Toitoi has a long history of great comedy shows in our Opera House, Hastings audiences really love a good laugh, so it makes sense to create a regular home for comedy right here in the heart of Heretaunga,” he says.

“We wanted this weekend of comedy, called Laugh Your Mask Off, to go further than just what we can offer here at Toitoi. We have two beautiful venues we’re using, in the Opera House and the Assembly Ballroom, but we wanted to extend the event into the CBD and support our local hospitality businesses – which is why you’ll see acts at Common Room and Spaceship, and be able to enjoy specials at the bars and restaurants.”

Read on for more about the comedians and shows in Laugh Your Mask Off.

At Toitoi

On Thursday, Laugh Your Mask Off – The Gala will kickstart the weekend with comedy, cabaret and craziness! Hosted by Ben Hurley, the Gala presents the best of the weekend - featuring comedy, music, burlesque, aerials, chainsaw juggling, mind reading and whole lot more - bringing laughter and madness to the Opera House stage.

Then on Friday, head to Toitoi’s Assembly Ballroom to enjoy an hour of absolute hilarity with Ben, who you may know from his regular appearances on THREE's 7Days, The Project, and is now a regular contributor on TVNZ's Seven Sharp.

After Ben, the Assembly Ballroom will transform into a Las Vegas Bingo hall. Yep, that’s right, bingo’s back, baby! A Vegas-style showcase extravaganza, with balls - this is not your normal bingo night! From the crew who brought you Panto Bingo, Social Club Bingo and Bordello Bingo comes an evening to remember.

On Saturday night, the Assembly Ballroom hosts Who Run the World. Over the last couple of (hundred) years women have repeatedly proven to be better at, well, almost everything. In recent history, their expertise also extends to basically running the world, so we’re celebrating their awesomeness with a fresh, fun and fierce all-woman line up of comedians, including Donna Brookbanks (2019 Billy T Award Nominee, 7 Days, Funny Girls), Liv McKenzie (Winner-Best Female Performer, 2017 Comedy Awards, 7 Days, Have You Been Paying Attention), and more.

Then, once you’re finished with those crack-up wāhine, stick around for Pictionary. Join Wellington Comedians Laser Kiwi for an experience like no other. Think pub quiz meets game show - spot prizes, silly banter & glory are up for grabs. It’s surreal, it’s funny and not wholesome at all, so wrangle a team and join the fun.

Then on Sunday, the Hawke’s Bay Arts Festival are bringing you a couple of free shows. Dream Garden combines aerial circus, projection art and comedy. You can’t be sure what’s real and what’s dream, so sit up the front, get a good view of the Toitoi Opera House stage and enjoy the show! Meanwhile, over in the Assembly Ballroom, Gerry Paul & the Elephant Tree Band play their own blend of Good-Time Americana Kiwi Folk. Think banjos, mandolins, guitars, fiddles, double bass and fiery harmonies. Together they will bust out the hip hop grooves of "Workin' on the Worm Farm," the Rockabilly shuffle of "Hank the Wrestling Shark" and the bluegrass skanks of "We All Got Bones". These shows are free entry, but registration is essential.

At Common Room

On Friday and Saturday night, head down to Common Room for Local Laughs - presents five of the Bay’s best upcoming and semi-pro comedians. Hosted by Hastings-raised Kajun Campbell Brooking and featuring veteran locals CJ Alexander, Karen Leslie and Lil Sarah, and rising star Aldreen Rodrigues.

After that, stick around to see the incomparable David Correos. David is something that is hard to explain, but we must try. Immediately endearing, he has a special skill of creating nonsense. Left to his own devices, he has made a name for himself as a dynamic comic who will take you on his own special rollercoaster.

At Spaceship

Escapology, chainsaw juggling, walking on broken glass and other famous feats… Seven Deadly Stunts contains, well, seven stunts - each an exercise in danger, trust and skill. But it's also seven stories - of the sideshow, the freak show, the music hall, vaudeville and big top. On Friday and Saturday nights at Spaceship.

Then hang around and experience Bunny. Multi-award-winning comedian and theatre-maker, Barnie Duncan, burrows into the specific freedom a dancefloor at 3am can bring in his love letter to clubbing and exploration of grief. An hour of physical theatre, stand-up comedy and musical highs.

And for the full Spaceship experience, stay late to see Burlesque Un-Masked. Cherry Boomb! (Miss Burlesque 2015) will have you on the edge of your seats with her sizzling tricks; Ms Ruby Rebel thrills and exhilarates those who dare to watch; Cici von Rouge’s brings her cheeky moves that will evoke desire and delight, Billie Jean, wows all that watch her; and Kiki Kisses is a true entertainer, known for her over-the-top stage antics.

Your Laugh Schedule

Thursday 28 July

7.30pm Laugh Your Mask Off – The Gala, Toitoi Opera House (R16)

Friday 29 July

7pm Local Laughs, Common Room (R18)

Seven Deadly Stunts, Spaceship

7.30pm Ben Hurley, Toitoi Assembly Ballroom (R16)

8.45pm Bunny, Spaceship (R16)

9pm David Correos, Common Room (R16)

9.30pm Las Vegas Bingo, Toitoi Assembly Ballroom (R18)

10.30pm Burlesque Un-Masked, Spaceship (R18)

Saturday 30 July

7pm Local Laughs, Common Room (R18)

Seven Deadly Stunts, Spaceship

8pm Who Run the World, Toitoi Assembly Ballroom (R16)

8.45pm Bunny, Spaceship (R16)

9pm David Correos, Common Room (R16)

9.45pm Pictionary, Toitoi Assembly Ballroom (R16)

10.30pm Burlesque Un-Masked, Spaceship (R18)

Sunday July 31

10am Gerry Paul & The Elephant Tree Band, Toitoi Assembly Ballroom (age 4+)

11.15am Dream Garden, Toitoi Opera House (all ages)

2pm Gerry Paul & The Elephant Tree Band, Toitoi Assembly Ballroom (age 4+)

3.15pm Dream Garden, Toitoi Opera House (all ages)

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