New Zealand’s not talent is a delightful piss take about all those talent seeking programmes we love to hate. Full of your not so typical singing, dancing and magician acts, it is basically a show about talent acts that have everything go wrong. 

In some sections of this show the pace can get a bit slow however there are hidden gems that will make up for that. The dialogues and performances are great, however there is definitely room for more development and furthering the real guts of what these shows are about and the effects that they have on New Zealand society.

This show is based on heat 16 of a television series called Talent Factor, hosted by Cody Curtis, a funny out of work, ‘world famous in New Zealand’ celebrity who has resorted to hosting and getting jobs where he can. Dave Taylor does an excellent job of portraying his character in a way that will have you comparing him with the likes of Simon Barnett or Jason Gunn.

A very clever and witty dance/singing group that requires a Skype session with one of their members will have you giggling when the connection fails. A comedian who is nervous and not remotely funny in any way will still make you laugh but at him instead of with him. Magicians and their magic tricks that you expect to fail do, resulting in deaths and fighting.

This show covers all those typical acts that enter these kinds of show and a few extras like a motivational speaker and a person whose talent is purely being annoying.   

Perhaps one of the best acts that will leave you in stitches is that of Tuck, a Māori father who has found an interest in burlesque dancing. Played by Benny Marama, Tuck, without his backing track, is forced to sing his own music and still dance. The way he folds his clothes as he removes them and slowly reveals a sexy purple corset is too hilarious. 

Ross Macleod’s performance as himself is done very cleverly. He uses the ‘Talent Factor’ to plug himself and his political campaign because he’s in the running to become a councillor of Hamilton City. Armed with a guitar, Ross Macleod serenades the audience with a song titled ‘Vote for Me’, listing the reasons he is the better option to become a member of the Hamilton City Council; reasons that actually make sense to be honest.

Closing the show is another act that is sure to send you away laughing. The Whitney Houston Choir is made up of a group of singers who in reality represent the number of wannabe singers who audition for these shows with the same songs. The song ‘I Will Always Love You’, made famous by Whitney from the movie The Bodyguard, is their song of choice and delivered in such a style that actually works for them.

Make sure you head to see New Zealand’s not talent at The Meteor in Hamilton tonight or tomorrow starting at 9pm, $10 entry.

Copyright © in the review belongs to the reviewer