Hundreds of acts, including national and international comics are to take part in the annual laughathon for May with 120 shows alone happening in Auckland.
Here's just a few shows that could tickle your funny bone - though, bear in mind, it's always hard to single some out of the 120 out there!
The Comedy Gala - The opening show of the festival is always a treat - you get to be part of the audience and mingle with other comics in your row as top acts perform for you. This year's event's hosted by Sex and the City scribe Greg Behrendt (who's also doing one night during the fest) and should be a blast.
The Best of the Billys - There've been 20 winners of the annual yellow towel and this year's show, hosted by Dai Henwood is a collection of some of the best of them. Always a hit and always great to see who blazed the trail for NZ comedy early on.
Fanfiction Comedy/ Rose Matafeo - It's been Rose and fellow comic Heidi O'Loughlin's show for the past couple of years and it's a very simple idea - fellow comics who've written fan fiction (the likes of Twilight/Harry Potter/ Dr Who crossovers) read it out on stage. It's already been picking up rave reviews in Aussie - and you should also make sure you head to U Live's Rose Matafeo's solo show too.
Irene Pink and Justine Smith - This one looks intriguing; the two dames of NZ comedy are teaming up to pitch their ideas to us, the audience. Promising a multimedia musical sketch show (with rumours of puppets) this could be something a little different for the fest.
The 5 Star Comedy Showcase on the Shore/ A Night At the Rovers/ Big Show on the Shore/ Minifest out West/ Southside Comedy - these shows take themselves out of the centre of Auckland and to other regions with a collection of comics and a gaggle of laughs, it's a great alternative if you don't fancy heading into the main centre.
Stand up for Kids/ Mr Boon's Fairy Tales - You have to admire the comics who perform for the kids; as an audience, they don't take any rubbish and won't hold back if a show sucks. So, these talented comics who've been forming their acts for a younger audience probably have the toughest job. Good job then they're all great talents.
Milton Jones/ Terry Alderton/ Dead Cat Bounce - a great line up of international acts are here and these three are just a trio who're worth your time. Terry's beee here before and always surprises and Dead Cat Bounce with their musical medleys will be a hit. Likewise BBC Radio star Milton Jones will amuse.
Rhys Mathewson - One of the youngest comics to ever win the Billy T, Rhys has always got garrulous laughs and boundless energy which sweeps you along - and despite his age, he's got humour which is universal.
Wilson Dixon/ Jesse Griffin - The cowboy from Cripple Creek has medleys and humour to knock you sideways with mirth and his friend Jesse Griffin is doing a rare solo show. Both will be guaranteed hits.
Fasitua Amosa - The star of TVNZ Ondemand's Auckland Daze leaves behind the slightly inept stand up act from the online smash hit series to ply us with some Info-Crack. Sounds intriguing, but Yes, please Fasi-tua...
Jamie Bowen/ Steve Wrigley - both these acts were given Comedy trust fund money to develop their shows prior to last year's Festival - and since then Jamie's Cabinet of Wonder and Steve's Kevin The Musical have toured, ensuring what you'll see this year is their strongest work.
As we said, there's 120 acts - and plenty for you to see - from the likes of Jan Maree, Brendhan Lovegrove, Ben Hurley, David O'Doherty, Rhys Darby, Urzila Carlson, Anil Desai, Jeremy Elwood to many, many more, the best advice we can give is to try any show when you're out and about. The chances are you'll have a great time and be part of the big 20th anniversary celebrations.
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.
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