The show started off in the classic Kila Kokonut Krew slapstick style that we are all familiar with. But it was not long before it was obvious that Vela Manusaute was totally on the ball. His latest show at the NZ International Comedy Festival titled Big Balls was a great way to get the ball rolling and to talk about the tough ‘ball breaking’ issues. 

The tone of a show riddled with silly ball puns very quickly turned serious, making us realise that it was a different ball game altogether. 

Vela’s creation of an all too familiar authority figure which can only be described as a cross between a religious leader and a motivational speaker was powerful, making the delivery of his ‘balls’ of wisdom unstoppable. [More]

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Vela Manusaute’s Big Balls show is a highly entertaining hour of stylish humour. 

He invites you to join his ‘Fellowship of the Balls’, where balls are used as a metaphor for things that are significant; white balls, short balls and coconut balls to name but a few.

He takes you on an energetic, but personal, journey that ranges from teachers mispronouncing his name and lessons from YouTube through to taking his kids to the supermarket in South Auckland (and locking them in the car) and to being married for 18 years.

Vela doesn’t go for the belly laughs but for the more subtle home-truths that make you laugh inside. It is a poignant journey that enthrals and entertains and is delivered with energy and subtlety.

He is provocative to the audience but draws them in with warmth and humour.

I leave with a broad smile on my face, and from the enthusiastic applause from the crowd I know that they do too.

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