night ferals is Pōneke based performer Megan ‘Mog’ Connolly’s debut comedy hour, and with a sold-out Studio at BATS, people are clearly excited for it. Mog is one half of the sketch comedy duo Ginge and Minge, alongside Nina Hogg, so they are no stranger to the BATS stage. Yet tonight marks the maiden voyage of their solo comedy adventures, and I am fascinated to see how they fare going it alone, without being tethered to their comedy partner with whom they share so much chemistry.

The loose conceit here is that Mog is our dream guide, shepherding us through a lovely night’s sleep that will NOT turn into a nightmare. Their love for sketch, big characters, and absurdism is on full display tonight. Mog is high energy, the show is high concept, and the audience is in high spirits. Slipping into the start of this show is like falling asleep; you’re awake and then suddenly it’s the morning. Except in this case, we fell right into a lucid dream.

While untethered to a narrative, Mog slips through moments in time, settings, and emotions gently and effortlessly. Every moment in the show is familiar and yet foreign – like dreams where they make perfect sense until you try explaining them to someone else. There are jokes, the jokes are often funny, but delivered as part of the wider setting, it’s an inventive way to blend more traditional stand-up style structures with the absurdity that is Mog’s signature. It’s an homage to modern absurd sketch comedy with a twist, and is pulled off delightfully well.

The audiovisuals are a real highlight in this performance: some amazingly clever set, audio and animation/projection bring to life the dreamscape we are being guided through. The production team of Daniel Nodder, Zach Mandeville and Felix Olohan are to be applauded for bringing to life what I imagine is the inside of Mog’s brain.

My favourite moments of the show are the smaller ones – Mog is a terrific actor. The moments they pull away the goofy façade to reveal shame, innocence or fear are so powerful. The stark contrast between these moments and the hyper-clowney surrealist base of the show give the audience time to breathe and sink deeper into the dreamscape when it pops back up. It makes me wonder at Mog’s versatility – could they play more in the hyper-realism space as well as the surreal? Some people get all the talent.

night ferals will be the dream show for some people, and a nightmare for others. If you like surrealism, absurdism, sketch, or if you’re just sick of seeing regular old stand up and want to branch out, night ferals could be just the ticket.

It’s on until 21 February as part of the New Zealand Fringe Festival.

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