Ten Auckland Comedy Festival Acts to Look Forward To

The Auckland arm of the New Zealand International Comedy Festival is back. From April 26 - May 19, local and international acts will be doing their best to make you piddle in your seats with laughter, and vying for the crown of comedy king or queen of 2013 (I actually made that last part up, but they will be doing their best to make sure you enjoy yourself, ok, will leave the jokes up to the pros).

With so many acts to choose from, I hear you asking - how can I choose the best shows to go to? Well loyal readers, that is where we come in. After careful selection, we have come up with ten acts that we feel it is worth opening up your wallets to. We trust you'll agree.

Therefore, in no particular order, therefore, feel free to read the list from top to bottom, bottom to top, even numbers only, or - well, you get the drift, here are ten Auckland Comedy Festival acts to look forward to.

1. Dai Henwood

We have to start with a local favourite. This year, Dai will be bringing it with a brand new hour of stand up exploring the nature of humanity, examining how we beat ourselves up over things and explaining why we need to look at just how awesome we are. Sounds like a pretty good way to spend an hour if you ask us. Dai is known as the little Team Leader of Team Two on 7days, and has been on the comedy circuit here in New Zealand for some time. Hang your negativity on the hook as you come in the door because this show is about the positive and the funny, a classic night of Henwood nonsense.

2. AotearoHA: Next Big Things

Ben Hurley, one of the other stars of 7days (thought notably perhaps not good enough to be a Team Leader) is hosting one of the highlights of the 2013 Auckland Comedy Festival. Ben has chosen 'the ones to watch' from the current local comedy circuit and will host them on the big stage at Q Theatre on Saturday, April 27. Previously, AotearoHA: Next Big Things has previously served as a platform for the likes of 7 Days regular Urzila Carlson, Guy Williams (Billy T Award winner 2012) and Rose Matafeo (Billy T Award nominee 2013) – all of which have gone on to critical acclaim and, more importantly, rapturous laughter within the NZ comedy circuit.

3. Jack Dee

The king is back. No not Elvis, and not Charles (though we all know he is desperate to be), we mean Jack Dee - king of British comedy. After a six year absence from stand-up, he’s back at it, agonizing over the slightest of annoyances and misdemeanors. Although he’s a man of few smiles, Jack Dee’s deadpan, dry humour has made him one of Britain’s favourite comedians. Ever the family man, he is out touring the world again, because, as he puts is, he "wants to spend less time with his family". Fine by us Jack.

4. Puppetry of the Penis

We have to be honest, the only reason we first clicked on this was because of the name. But once we actually read what it was about, we thought it would be pretty darn funny to see. Nab yourself a ticket to this show and you will catch the latest offering from the team of testicular twisters in a hilarious vaudeville romp that will leave you in stitches. As always, expect to see shameless buck naked men incorporating the latest CGI and live video projection with some funky tunes and new tricks in this brand new genitalia spectacular. Who can say no to that on stage? Really?

5. Jimeoin

What can you say about Jimeoin? Comedic genius? World -renowned adventurer? Live comedy master? You can call him them and more. Jimeoin has been around since TV was black and white and before Facebook was even a blip on Zuckerberg's radar (though the Winklevoss kids had probably thought of it). You know that his show will be a laugh a minute, belly aching stuff.

6. Stephen K Amos

Another successful British comedic export, Stephen K Amos is returning to New Zealand for a strictly limited season after a sell out worldwide tour, this new show is a refreshingly honest tale of comedy and life. Amos has charmed and entertained audiences all over the world with his easy, relaxed style, intelligent wit and honest warm-hearted joie de vivre.  The last few years have seen Stephen steadily become a household name, with appearances on TV in Australasia and the UK alike.

7. Le Comique

Co-hosted by highly acclaimed ex-pat icons Jarred Christmas and Urzila Carlson with a line-up that’s guaranteed to entertain and delight you, this hilarious taster of comedy from around the world is definitely a top ten highlight. Joining Christmas and Carlson on stage are the titillating talents of the miraculous comedium Ian D Montfort (UK), the charming Markus Birdman (UK), the saucy sisters of high-end filth Titty Bar Ha Ha (UK), our very own silent superstar The Boy With Tape On His Face, and many more… even a Welshman.

8. Danny Bhoy

Danny boy, oh Danny boy. This is sure to be a cracker. (Having seen Danny Bhoy at a comedy house in Putney, London, deep underground underneath a Walkabout, or Walkie as it affectionately known to Aussie/Kiwi/Saffa expats, I can attest that he is, in fact, hilarious). Described as a show that features some of the letters you never got round to writing because you thought life was too short, it is a crusade to effect real change in this broken world. This is a stand-up show with some sitting down.

9. Geraldine Quinn

We didn't just put Geraldine in as the token woman in the line up for equality reasons, we genuinely think she rocks. And if you check out her show, she will rock your socks. Picture this: it's 1986. John Farnham releases his mighty anthem You’re the Voice for the masses. Now it's 2013. 27 years on, one anthemaniac vows to write the rock for today’s glorious ordinary. (Don't deny you aren't already singing You’re the Voice in your head as you raise your face to the ceiling, gripping your hands in to fists as you inwardly sing one of the greatest songs off all time).

10. Guy Williams

We are going out on a limb here, but that's OK. I am left handed anyway so if you want to cut my right arm off after his show that is fine. Guy is the type of guy who you either love, or hate. Most people find themselves in the latter, but after a series of Jono and Ben at Ten as the heartwarming sidekick, New Zealand has come to kind of like Guy. Just don't ask about his Twitter account, that's a whole can of worms we don't have the time to write about. So what's his show about? Well, after five years of easy work Guy will finally be able to fulfill his dream of “nailing shit 24/7” and just generally “feeling the vibes.” Sounds... awesome.