Dan Bain: Anxiety Knife

The New Athenaeum Theatre, Knockabout Studio, 23 the Octagon, Dunedin

14/03/2024 - 16/03/2024

Dunedin Fringe Festival 2024

Production Details


Created and performed by Dan Bain

Noosed Octopus: Theatre, etc


Dan Bain, director, playwright, and award-winning comedian, is bringing his latest stand-up comedy special Anxiety Knife to Dunedin for the very first time. Fresh from directing the sold-out, extended production of Murder on the Orient Express at the Court Theatre in Christchurch, Bain brings his comedy hour to The New Atheneum Theatre from March 14th to 16th, 2024.

Anxiety Knife offers a poignant and uproarious exploration of Bain’s journey through the pandemic era, from being one of the city’s most influential artists to answering the phone for a job and being unable to leave the house without his “anxiety knife”. Through a seamless blend of wit, vulnerability, and cheerful vulgarity, Bain transforms moments of anxiety and adversity into comedic gold, resonating deeply with audiences.

A true “comedian’s comedian” in the Ōtautahi comedy scene, Bain’s career has an embarrassing number of accolades and achievements that he’s never quite pivoted into fame or financial success. In addition to his recent directorial success, Bain’s mantle is adorned with numerous awards, including nominations for “Best Improv Show” at the NZ Comedy Guild Awards 2023 and a slew of wins at the Christchurch Comedy Awards 2023:
* Winner – Producer’s Choice
* Winner – Best Joke
* Winner – Best Comedian
* Winner – Best MC
* Winner – Most Jokes

“Anxiety Knife” promises to be an unforgettable comedic experience, showcasing Bain’s resilience, talent, and unwavering commitment to his craft.
Don’t miss your chance to experience Dan Bain’s “Anxiety Knife” at The New Atheneum Theatre from March 14th to 16th, 2024, at 8:30 pm.
Tickets are available now at dunedinfringe.co.nz


Dan Bain


Theatre , Stand-up comedy , Comedy , Solo ,


50 mins

An easy to recommend show

Review by Mike Chewie Bennett 15th Mar 2024

it’s always fun to eavesdrop on audience members who have descended the staircase to the Knockabout studio (at the NAT), a large space that wouldn’t seem out of place in Odessa. I love that juxtaposition, especially when it’s playing host to a comedy show on this first night of the Dunedin Fringe Festival.

Dan immediately goes to work getting the crowd onside by agreeing with them that yes, this space is DEFINITELY HAUNTED. That this is going to be a classy show, as he’s got a deep quote on the wall. He then goes on to introduce himself as a likable, approachable guy with the same completly normal anxieties that we all have. His technique really leans in to the comedy rule of three to great effect, emphasising how NORMAL his anxieties are. Very, very normal….

Dan has an engaging manner of story telling, vividly taking us through a corporate gig gone wrong, with Dan as a juggler who has set his head – and everything else – on fire.

His work as a Covid hotline adviser during the height of the pandemic is very enjoyably told, culminating in the best day ever

A stand out moment for me was Dan deftly setting up a rather excellent Chekhov’s gun (er … knife?) that closes out the show with some big laughs. All in all an excellent hour of comedy that fair flew by. An easy to recommend show.

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