Comedy

Side splitting comedy to hit New Zealand

Get ready New Zealand, some of the best local and international comedians are set to embark on tours all over the country over the coming months.

Whether you are into stand-up, satire or musical comedy, we have something to suit your needs. Each of the acts below promise to be side-splittingly hilarious so get on board and get ready to laugh yourself silly!

To help our loyal readers narrow down the huge number of comedy acts that are headed to New Zealand, we have put together a handy list of some of the best acts that you need to see. Check out our selections below and enjoy the coming months, which will now be filled with chuckles, chortles, gasps and giggles!

Jim Jeffries

Great Hall, Auckland Town Hall
May 6

When Jim Jeffries toured Australia in 2015, he sold out every show around the country. Luckily, he is back and this time he is bringing his hilarious comedic stylings to New Zealand! Jim Jeffries has enjoyed a meteoric rise to comedy superstardom and he is now one of the heavyweights of the industry. The seriously funny stand-up comedian has amassed more than 200 million online views, has sold out major venues all over the world and has performed acclaimed TV specials in the USA. If you haven’t seen Jim Jeffries live, now is your chance. But you have to be quick – these tickets are selling like hot cakes so get in immediately to avoid disappointment.

Click here to purchase tickets.

John Cleese and Eric Idle

The Civic, Auckland
March 23-24

Two icons of comedy – John Cleese and Eric Idle – are set to perform together for the very first time in their new stand-up tour, Together Again At Last…For The Very First Time! The two British comics are absolute legends of the industry and are best known as two members of famous comedy troupe, Monty Python. The performance will include improvised skits, scripted comedy, musical numbers, exclusive footage, storytelling and an extended audience Q&A. This once in a lifetime opportunity to see the pair on stage together should not be missed; get in quick, these tickets are flying out the door.

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An Evening with Dawn French – Thirty Million Minutes

The Civic, Auckland
March 27-April 2

New Zealand has a reputation for attracting the big names of comedy, but they don’t get much bigger than the legendary Dawn French. The British comedian – and star of countless hit TV shows, most notably The Vicar of Dibley – is set to perform at The Civic, Auckland in March and April this year. Presale tickets for Dawn’s performances are now on sale – don’t miss your chance to see one of the legends of comedy live in New Zealand!

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Sarah Millican – Outsider

Bruce Mason Centre
April 12
ASB Theatre
April 13

One of Britain’s funniest comedians is set to hit the stage for her brand new stand up show, Outside. Sarah Millican won the best newcomer award at the 2008 Edinburgh Fringe Festival and since then she has been making audiences the world over laugh with delight at her witty and hilarious comedy. If you want to head Outside with Sarah Millican, get in quick! Tickets for her two shows at ASB Theatre are flying out the door.

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Mrs Brown’s Boys

Vector Arena
March 25-27

Brendan O’Carroll’s television show Mrs. Brown’s Boys has taken the world by storm. The cast of the show performed to sold out audiences across New Zealand and Australia in early 2014 and the passion for this product has not abated; they are returning to our shores for multiple shows at Vector Arena. Don’t miss out – this show will take your breath away.

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Nick Offerman – Full Bush

Bruce Mason Centre
February 11

Nick Offerman, one of the USA’s best loved comedians, is set to hit the stage in New Zealand for his Full Bush tour. Offerman is better known as Ron Swanson of Parks and Recreation, but you may not know that he is also one of the funniest stand-up comedians you are ever likely to see live! Don’t miss your chance to this comedic genius on stage at the Bruce Mason Centre. Tickets for his show are selling really fast, so do not delay if you want to see Nick Offerman’s live show.

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Danny Bhoy

ASB Theatre
February 26-28 & March 1

Danny Bhoy is one of the best known comedians in the world and he is certainly one of the funniest as well. The Scottish funny man is doing a series of performances of his new stand up show, Please Untick This Box, at ASB Theatre in February and March. Danny Bhoy’s musing on the absurdities of everyday life certainly appeal to New Zealanders and Australians; he has an enormous following in this part of the world and his shows are always guaranteed to put a smile on your face. Hurry – these tickets will not last long.

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The Laughing Samoans

Bruce Mason Centre
February 20

Separately they are Eteuati Ete and Tofiga Fepulea’i, but together they are The Laughing Samoans. The duo has been performing as a double act for more than 10 years and they have taken many of their hilarious stand-up shows all over the world including Australia, Fiji, Hawaii and the USA. The guys are set to return to the stage at the Bruce Mason Centre with a brand new show, Island Time. The double act’s hilarious brand of comedy will have you rolling in the aisles so get in quick if you want tickets for see The Laughing Samoans.

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Priscilla Queen of the Desert 

The Civic
October 14-November 6, 2015

Priscilla Queen of the Desert is a glittering high-energy musical based on 1994’s hit film, The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert. The musical, which tells the story of two drag queens and a transgender woman who leave Sydney to perform in Alice Springs, was a major hit when it debuted in Australia and was well-received on London’s West End and Broadway. The production is hilarious and full of uplifting tunes such as I Will Survive, I Love the Nightlife, Shake Your Groove Thing, Girls Just Wanna Have Fun and Always on My Mind. The costumes in Priscilla are something else; the outfits help to make the characters larger than life and the colour and excitement makes Priscilla Queen of the Desert a show you simply must not miss!

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Melbourne International Comedy Festival

Various venues
March 23-April 17

Genuine comedy lovers must experience the magic of Melbourne during its annual comedy festival. In 2016 the Melbourne International Comedy Festival will take over the city from March 23 until April 17 and you can be a part of all the fun. There are just three major international comedy festivals of this scale in the world; Edinburgh, Montreal and of course Melbourne. New Zealand is a short trip across the ditch from one of the biggest comedy festivals in the world so perhaps it is time to book yourself a place ticket and head to Australia for a month of laughs.

Click here to purchase tickets.