JASON BYRNE YOU NAME THE SHOW!
Q Theatre, Rangatira, Auckland
25/04/2014 - 27/04/2014
NZ International Comedy Festival 2014
Production Details
Irish comedian Jason Byrne returns to the 2014 NZ International Comedy Festival after a two-year hiatus with his requisite quota of madness and, from 25 – 27 April, he wants you to name his show!
In trademark Byrne-style, the 5-Star “outright king of live comedy” and Comedy Gala favourite, is asking New Zealand to suggest a show name for his triumphant return to the NZ International Comedy Festival. To enter and win $1000 cash, look for the Jason Byrne program ad, postcards and posters around Auckland in April, write your show name suggestion in the blank space, and upload your photo at www.facebook.com/LiveNationComedy! The winner will be announced onstage at the final show.
Jason Byrne remains one of Australia’s best-loved world-class comedians, year in, year out. His innate ability to entertain and engage gives rise to the quintessential interactive live show, turning audience participation into a true art form. It is no surprise that Jason is the biggest selling comedian at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival.
Byrne returns to the Festival after taking a year off. He spent 2013 writing and filming his radio sitcom turned TV sitcom, Father Figure for BBC1, which aired in the UK and Ireland during August and September. He is highly sought-after for TV appearances in the UK and has a credit list as long as his arm including most recently the 2013 Royal Variety Performance, as well as The Graham Norton Show , Live at the Apollo on BBC1, as well as his own show Anonymous in Ireland. Byrne has hosted three series’ of The Jason Byrne Show (BBC Radio 2) for which he won the prestigious Sony Radio Gold Award for Best Comedy in 2011. He has also released three live DVDs including his latest, Special Eye Live, and continues to tour extensively worldwide.
Do not miss your chance to see Jason’s triumphant return to the 2014 NZ International Comedy Festival – tickets will sell fast!
★★★★★ “Jaw achingly funny“ – Sunday Herald Sun
★★★★★ “The King of live comedy“ – The Times, UK
As part of the 2014 NZ International Comedy Festival in cahoots with Old Mout Cider, grab some mates and join us for a great night of laughs from 24 April – 18 May.
For the full Comedy Fest show line-up head to comedyfestival.co.nz
Auckland
Dates: Fri 25 – Sun 27 April, 9pm
Venue: Rangatira at Q Theatre, 305 Queen St
Tickets: $27.50 – $32
Bookings: 09 309 9771 // qtheatre.co.nz
Theatre , Stand-up comedy ,
Laugh out loud funny
Review by Cherie Moore 26th Apr 2014
The International comedy Festival hits Auckland this week and tonight I am seeing Irish comedian Jason Byrne at Q Theatre. Byrne swings in to the song ‘Wrecking Ball’, with no pants on and more energy (& fake pubic hair) than you can shake a poo-smeared stick at (something he suggests is a male courting tool later in the show).
Byrne is sharp: he addresses the audience and never misses an opportunity to use a response to create comedy. This makes the content more local, and from beginning to end the audience is a collective group on Byrnes comedy roller-coaster.
A lot of tonight’s show is improvised, coming straight from interactions Byrne has with the audience. His ability to recall what he has said and to continue to use it throughout his set, is amazing. He comes across as incredibly genuine, and seems to be having a really fun time. He describes this gig as more of a weird village meeting than a comedy show.
Byrne suggests there is an elaborate practical joke at play with ‘plants’ in the audience – he is so delighted by the hilarity that ensues from talking to us he assures us that this is one of those gigs that comedians wait years for, that can never be repeated. But don’t worry if you weren’t there tonight – I think you’re in for a treat of your own whatever night you decide to go.
The topics Byrne’s covers in his comedy are things that are recognisable, and this is what is delightful: the ability to recognise yourself, or an extreme version of yourself, in his humour. It allows you to personally relate and to laugh at yourself from a slightly removed perspective. His treatment of experiences we traditionally think of as very private or even mundane have the audience in fits. Dating, masturbation, married life, sex, family, and people sneaking out to use the bathroom or refill their drink during his set, are all ammunition for Byrne’s funny firing.
Byrne’s show is laugh out loud funny. It has me roaring with laughter one moment and cringing the next. There’s lots to see during the festival this year and if I were you I’d put this funny ginger Irishman on your list. You won’t regret it.
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