Comedy fest hits 20 years

What were you doing some 20 years ago?

Here in good old NZ, Jim Bolger was Prime Minister, Les Mills was Auckland mayor (and no doubt contemplating his takeover of gyms), The Exponents were sweeping the NZ Music awards with that song "Why Does Love Do This To Me" aka the one we all sing drunk, a new soap opera Shortland Street was first broadcast (get all the latest from Shorty's upcoming anniversary here) and somewhere a new nationwide tradition of laughing was being born.

It's 20 years this year since the New Zealand International Comedy Festival first began - and organisers are hoping this latest fest which kicks off in Auckland on April 27th will be bigger than ever.

There's been some famous alumni involved in the festival over the years - in 1996, actor and all round nice guy Simon Pegg was one of the performers; Taiki Waititi took part in the 1999 fest, getting the Billy T Award before scoring an Oscar nomination in 2005 (and his famous feigning falling asleep when his nomination was read out) and Jonathan Creek star Alan Davies even graced the festival with his presence back in 1995.

Over the years as well, there's been no shortage of milestones for the festival.

There've been 20 winners of the prestigious Billy T Awards since its inception in 1997, named of course after the legendary Maori comic, Billy T James. The winner gets a yellow towel, $2500 and instant recognition in the comedy hall of fame. This year's nominees are: Tom Furniss (who was part of last year's top winner at the V48 Hour film festival), Tevita Manukia, U Live's Rose Matafeo, TJ McDonald and Guy Williams. They'll know who's won at the closing ceremony in Auckland on May 20th.

And in 2010, one international comic decided New Zealand was the place to tie the knot - UK comic Carey Marx got married in Devonport on the beach, with a ceremony presided over by celebrant Ewen Gilmour.

This year's New Zealand International Comedy Festival runs in Auckland and Wellington from 27th April to 20th May before some acts head off around the country in the Comedy Convoy.