Jan-Maree Franicevic

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Born and raised in the Wellington suburb of Petone, in the Hutt Valley, Jan-Maree proudly identifies as a Hamiltonian, the city she has
called home since 2003.

One of New Zealand’s most successful female comedians Jan-Maree began her career as a poet. Moving from spoken word to stand-up she won the Billy T award in 2001, the NZ Comedy Guild Award for "Best Female Comedian" in 2009 and in 2011 she won the Fred Award, becoming the first and is still the only female comedian to receive the NZ International Comedy Festival’s supreme award. She is something of an icon at Hamilton East watering hole The Cook, hosting a monthly comedy showcase for a whopping ten and a half years; the longest running pub comedy gig in New Zealand.

Since 2001 Jan-Maree has written for radio and television across a number of genre. She is a performance mentor, director and dramaturge with over fifteen years of experience in comedy, drama, improvisation and live theatre production. Having grown up in New Zealand’s home of quality theatre, Jan has a natural affinity for theatre, and a wealth of experience working both sides of the curtain, having held numerous roles as a production manager, stage manager, publicist and promoter.

Over the past nine years Jan-Maree has led and facilitated performance production, theatre and writing workshops for people experiencing mental illness, under the auspices of Centre 401 as preparation for the Waikato’s annual Mad Pride celebrations.

Most recently Jan-Maree has worked with Sydney-based Kiwi writer/actor Samuel Christopher new drama, The Violence of Ngaire Chambers, as a script advisor.

Jan-Maree became a reviewer for Theatreview in early 2013.

After twenty years harvesting LOLS Jan-Maree has hung up her microphone, and is living a new dream. Being retired doesn’t mean she isn’t gigging – for a good cause or good money, she will – though she is adamant she is no longer available for children’s parties.

Jan-Maree Franicevic's reviews

YOURS TRULY

Auckland, Waiheke Island, Hamilton

26/02/2016 - 16/07/2016

"Superior literary flourishes..

"Definitive horrific exposé..

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LIFE MUSIC

Hamilton

24/02/2016 - 26/02/2016

"Nuanced truth with style..
Drowning in Veronica Lake

Hamilton, Wellington, New Plymouth, Tauranga, Auckland, Dunedin

22/02/2011 - 23/02/2016

"This is what magnificent theatre looks like..

"The Fame Monster..

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THREE GUYS IN DRAG SELLING THEIR STUFF

Hamilton

21/02/2016 - 22/02/2016

"Disappointing..
THE LOOSE DICK KIDDIES SHOW

Auckland, Dunedin, Wellington

12/02/2016 - 12/03/2016

"Could be fantastic..

"Masterful in all its glorious smuttiness..

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BLUE STOCKINGS

Hamilton

11/11/2015 - 14/11/2015

"A most uplifting story..
HUDSON & HALLS LIVE!

Auckland, Wellington, Kerikeri, Wanaka, New Plymouth, Christchurch, Dunedin

05/11/2015 - 16/12/2017

"Comedy great Christmas fare..

"Utterly captivating..

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EIGHT GIGABYTES OF HARDCORE PORNOGRAPHY

Auckland

18/06/2015 - 11/07/2015

"Go hardcore or go home..

"Download Incomplete – Error Occurred..

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STATE HIGHWAY 48

Hamilton

23/02/2015 - 27/08/2016

"A cracker..

"Impressive, entertaining, witty..

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ON THE CONDITIONS AND POSSIBILITIES OF HILLARY CLINTON TAKING ME AS HER YOUNG LOVER

Nelson, Hamilton, Edinburgh, Scotland, Auckland, Dunedin, Wellington, Havelock North, Takaka, NYC, USA

16/02/2015 - 08/10/2016

"The real presidential debate..

"Top-notch satire ★★★★★..

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MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING

Hamilton

16/02/2015 - 22/02/2015

"Better luck next time..
A MIDSUMMER NIGHT’S DREAM

Auckland

13/02/2015 - 07/03/2015

"A Perfect Midsummer Night Out..
JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR

Auckland

01/11/2014 - 30/11/2014

"Jesus and co cover visual cracks with voices from heaven..

"Jesus Lives!..

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Uncle Minotaur

Auckland

03/10/2014 - 18/10/2014

"Tying laces before loose ends #2..

"Skilled production but left feeling empty..
Second Afterlife

Auckland

03/10/2014 - 18/10/2014

"Tying laces before loose ends #1..

"A great story immaculately played..
OLD MOUT CIDER COMEDY GALA 2014

Auckland

24/04/2014 - 24/04/2014

"Jellybeans..
IN EXTREMIS

Hamilton

24/02/2014 - 27/02/2014

"Undeniable passionate love..
THE CAROUSEL

Hamilton

24/02/2014 - 27/02/2014

"Solid silliness and light entertainment..
ODYSSEY

Hamilton, Auckland

26/06/2013 - 27/02/2014

"“One of the most exciting theatre pieces I have had the privilege to see”..

"Gets the emotion of our desire to reach our goals across..

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THE COMEDY OF ERRORS

Hamilton

17/02/2014 - 23/02/2014

"Timeless laughs..
YO FUTURE

Hamilton

15/02/2014 - 20/02/2014

"Funny, angering, original..

"Funny, angering, original..