BIG LAUGHS FOR LITTLE COMEDY LOVERS
Proving that everyone loves a good laugh, the 2023 NZ International Comedy Festival with Best Foods Mayo is showcasing four hilarious whānau friendly shows this Festival, made for even the youngest comedy fans.
Theatre, clowning, music, monsters and of course plenty of laughter, The Little Clown that Fell to Earth, Chuckle Monsters, Moon and The Worm will have tamariki laughing the afternoon away.
Aimed at kids aged 5 - 12 and their comedy loving parents, contemporary clown show The Little Clown that Fell to Earth (13 May at Q Theatre) follows a gender-neutral alien who falls from their spaceship to earth. It is a comical tale of survival, loneliness and unlikely love, from the creative mind of the award-winning Booth The Clown who has performed at the likes of World of Wearable Arts Awards and Splore. Utilising clowning, physical theatre and aerial circus skills, this show is ideal for families looking for entertainment with an imaginative soul. Booth’s mission is to spread joy and messages of compassion within their work.
“I made The Little Clown That Fell to Earth because growing up I felt like a little alien trying to make their way throughout the world, this is a show that's ultimately about the tenacity of the human spirit inside us all - even little alien clowns. I'm so excited to be sharing this silly, joyous and heartfelt story! This is for everyone who's felt they were a little bit different in this world - the little alien that lives in all of us,” says Booth The Clown.
New dads Barnie Duncan (comedian, actor and co-creator behind beloved family works The Magic Chicken and The Thing From The Place) and Alistair Deverick (Aotearoa electro-pop artist, Boycrush) have joined forces to make a show their kids and their kid’s pals would like with Moon - also on 13 May at Q Theatre. Because everyone should enjoy comedy. And live music. And the moon. Aimed at kids aged 5 and under plus their theatrical comedy loving parents, Moon sees a clown dressed as Napoleon land on the moon amongst bubbles and intergalactic sounds… all emanating from a Spaceman. What on earth is going to happen on the moon?
“We want the kids to feel wonder, we want to give them a taste of the magic of theatre, and we also want to expose them to an adult being naughty and breaking the rules, as they usually don't get to see this side of adults very much,” says Barnie Duncan.
Covert Theatre, New Zealand’s largest improv theatre company, are bringing laughs for the whole family with Chuckle Monsters on 6 and 20 May. Join Big Red and the Chuckle Monster gang as they go on wonderful adventures and learn about Improv. Starring the Covert Juniors this colourful show, filled with delightful music and dance, is one for all those who are young at heart.
Manukau littlies don’t miss out either, with a special FREE performance of The Worm from acclaimed theatre company Nightsong on 9 May at Due Drop Events Centre. When a giant bird beak breaks through the ceiling and takes his mother away, a little worm must go on an epic adventure to save her. For adults aged seven and older, this delightfully surreal and anarchically absurd show features Nightsong’s trademark visual style, extraordinary design and original music performed live by Carnivorous Plant Society.
There’s something for every kid during this year’s NZ International Comedy Festival with Best Foods Mayo - and for those who are forever young at heart too.
See the full 2023 NZ International Comedy Festival with Best Foods Mayo programme at comedyfestival.co.nz
THE LITTLE CLOWN THAT FELL TO EARTH
Saturday 13 May, 4.30PM
Rangatira, Q Theatre
305 Queen St, Auckland
Tickets
MOON
Saturday 13 May, 3PM
Loft, Q Theatre
305 Queen St, Auckland
Tickets
CHUCKLE MONSTERS
Saturday 6 & 20 May, 2PM
Covert Theatre
51 Mackelvie Street, Auckland
Tickets
THE WORM
Tuesday 9 May
Due Drop Events Centre
770 Great South Road, Manukau
Tickets on sale soon