Take an acclaimed folk singer and a celebrated Samoan/Welsh comic, and be rewarded with an evening of music and comedy like no other. Mel Parsons and James Nokise combine their considerable talents to bring you their intimate live cabaret show, ‘Beauty and the Bro’.  

Nokise has returned from the UK stand-up comedy circuit to perform ‘Soso Gangsta’, his hilarious and slightly true take on New Zealand gang culture. Parsons will be presenting new work, plus a variety of songs from her first two albums – ranging from rollicking country numbers to heartfelt ballads, and accompanied by multi-instrumentalist, Gerry Paul (Grada, Tim O’Brien).

“Parsons has a voice that could work any night in Nashville, yet sounds somehow intrinsically New Zealand – and the songs are good, very good.” –Black Magazine

“Nokise is a fresh, cheeky and (a) remarkably astute voice in today’s comedy climate.” –Nik Smythe, Theatreview

James Nokise

A Fred Dagg Comedy Award nominee and two time Billy T Comedy Award nominee, James Nokise has carved out a reputation in New Zealand going after everything from gangs to politicians to pacific Island stereotypes.

Fresh from four years working on the United Kingdom stand-up comedy circuit, he’s also performed at the Edinburgh and Adelaide Festivals, guest lectured at universities, been a member of the award winning Puppet Fiction (Pulp Fiction with Puppets) crew, written Wellington’s popular political satire series, Public Service Announcements, all the while continuing to be a regular host at Wellington and Auckland comedy clubs, as well as a commentator for Radio Live and 531PI.

Not bad for a bro kicked out of a gang in the Hutt Valley.

Mel Parsons

After growing up on the West Coast, Mel Parsons now calls home a hotel room and a suitcase, building her fan base the old fashioned way, winning over audiences on the live circuit. The two time NZ Music Award finalist for Folk Album of the Year, Parsons has received accolades for her 2009 debut record ‘Over My Shoulder’ and for ‘Red Grey Blue’, released to widespread critical acclaim in 2011.

Last year Parsons toured Australia, UK, Ireland, Germany and New Zealand as a solo artist and joined the cast of ‘Fly My Pretties’ for the sold out 23-date ‘Homeland Tour’. She has also spent two years touring as one half of the double bill show ‘The Bitches’ Box and Mel Parsons’, playing in woolsheds all over the country. Parsons is currently working on her third album, due for release in early 2015.

Itinerary

Tuesday 2 September 7.30pm Geraldine 
The Country Café, 76 Talbot St
$20 Book: Tresjoli Giftware o3 693 9339 

Wednesday 3 September 7.30pm Oamaru 
ODT Inkbox, Opera House
Adults $25, Students $20
Book: www.ticketdirect.co.nz 
Oamaru Opera House or Oamaru i-Site 

Thursday 4 September 7.30pm Owaka 
Memorial Community Centre 
Adult $20; Seniors $18; Senior Students $10 
Book:  Mary Sutherland 03 415 8613 
mary@catlins-ecotours.co.nz; Catlins Café 

Friday 5 September 7.30pm Gore 
The Little theatre
$25 / $20(plus booking fee)
Book: SBS St James Theatre
www.iticket.co.nz 0508 ITICKET

Saturday 6 September 7.30pm Invercargill 
SIT Centrestage Theatre, Don St
$25 / $20 / $5
Book: Ticketdirect or Cue TV 

Tuesday 9 September 7.30pm Okarito 
Donovan’s
$20 Book: Okarito Nature Tours 

Wednesday 10 September 7.30pm Hokitika 
Old Lodge Theatre 
Revell St 
$20 Book: Hokitika Regent Theatre 

Thursday 11 September 8pm Barrytown 
Barrytown Settlers Hall 
$20 Tickets at the door 

Friday 12 September 8pm Westport 
NBS Theatre 
$27.50 Book: NBS Theatre or www.ticketdirect.co.nz 

Saturday 13 September 8pm (Dinner from 6pm) Mapua 
The Playhouse Café and Theatre Restaurant 
$20 Book: The Playhouse Café 03 540 2985 

Sunday 14 September 8pm Onekaka 
The Mussel Inn 
$15 Book:  The Mussel Inn 

Tuesday 16 September 7.30pm Wanganui 
Royal Wanganui Opera House 
Adult $25; Senior $23; FOH $20; Student $15 
(Special rates for school groups) 
Book: At the venue or www.royaloperahouse.co.nz 

Wednesday 17 September 7.30pm New Plymouth 
Theatre Royal, TSB Showplace 
New Plymouth 
$25 Theatre seat; $30 Table seat; $200 table of 8 
Book: TSB Showplace Box office, 0800 111 999 
www.ticketmaster.co.nz 

Thursday 18 September 7.30pm Tokoroa 
Tokoroa Little Theatre 
$20 Book: Tokoroa Clothing Co 07 886 8488 

Friday 19 September 7pm Whitianga 
Town Hall 
$15 Book: Whitianga Paper Plus 

Saturday 20 September 7.30pm Coromandel 
Coromandel Bowling Club, Woollams Ave 
$25/$20 (concession) 
Book: Coromandel Information Centre 

Sunday 21 September Kauaeranga 
Kauaeranga Hall 
$20 Book: Txt or phone 021 078 8675 or at Lotus Realm Pollen St 

Tuesday 23 September 7.30pm Kerikeri 
The Turner Centre
Adults $30; $20 Seniors, groups 5+, students under 18 
Book: Turner Centre 09 407 0260 
www.turnercentre.co.nz 

Wednesday 24 September 7.30pm Hokianga 
Copthorne Hokianga 
$15

Friday 26 September 7.30pm Whangarei 
The Riverbank Centre 
Reyburn House Lane 
$25 Book: www.whangareitheatrecompany.org.nz 
Whangarei Suit Hire, Rust Lane 

Saturday 27 September 8pm Onewhero 
OSPA Theatre, Hall Rd 
$20 Book: River Traders Tuakau 09 236 8875 

Sunday 28 September 7pm Tauranga 
Baycourt X Space
$22-$25 plus booking fees
Book: Baycourt Box Office;
www.ticketek.co.nz 0800 TICKETEK 

Wednesday 1 October 8pm Upper Hutt 
Expressions  
$20 Book: www.expressions.org.nz 04 527 2168 

Friday 3 October 8pm Balcairn 
Balcairn Hall
$25 (inc supper) NO BYO 
Book: Sally Mac’s, Amberley, Sefton Garage, Stan’s 7 day Pharmacy Rangiora 

Saturday 4 October 7.30pm Twizel 
Pukaki Lounge Top Hut 
Twizel 
$20 book: Twizel Information Centre and Mackenzie Lotto Plus 

Arts On Tour New Zealand

AOTNZ organises tours of outstanding New Zealand performers to rural and smaller centres in New Zealand. The trust receives funding from Creative New Zealand as well as support from Interislander and liaises with local arts councils, repertory theatres and community groups to bring the best of musical and other talent to country districts. The AOTNZ programme is environmentally sustainable – artists travel to audiences so that that small town and country dwellers can enjoy high quality entertainment on their home patch. www.aotnz.co.nz