Latest news with #LastLaughs
NZ Herald
25-05-2025
- Entertainment
- NZ Herald
Angella Dravid wins Fred Award, Hoani Hotene takes Billy T Award
Dravid, who was up against Abby Howells and Melanie Bracewell for the prize, is only the third woman to have won the Fred Award, after Jan Maree and Rose Matafeo. She told the Herald, shortly after winning, that she was not surprised that it was an all-female lineup for the prize. 'I was saying to [Comedy Trust chief executive Lauren Whitney] when she told me, I was like, 'of course it's three women', and they're so good. When I was thinking of who would win the Fred, Abby and Mel were in my list of people who I thought would be in there.' Hotene, who was nominated in September last year, said there was a sense of relief at being at the end of the process. " It's very long, you think about it every day. So part of me... there's the real [feeling of] 'man, that's amazing to win', but also there's a little bit of relief of like, 'oh my God, it's done'. 'I don't think it's sunk in yet.' Dravid and the other Fred nominees were only told on Saturday morning that they were in contention. She compared it to being in labour. 'It feels like this incredible journey event, and it's traumatic as well, because there's a lot of pain, there's a lot of anxiety, 'is it gonna be okay?' 'And then, when I gave birth, I forgot about the pain and everything. And I was just holding a little baby in my arms, and then my life changed. 'And it feels a bit like that, except life hasn't changed. I'm still gonna have financial issues.' The prizes were awarded at Last Laughs, which marks the end of the three-week-long International Comedy Festival. More than 100 shows across Auckland and Wellington took to the stage over the course of the festival. It's a high point on the calendar year for the local comedy industry, which, like many others, has struggled with rising costs in recent years. Dravid said there aren't enough opportunities for people to get on stage, and when there is stage time, not everyone can afford to come out, so the industry feels like it is in a recession. 'But the comedians, I think, are still at the top of their game,' she says. 'I wanted to actually thank the comedians on stage because they're the reason why we're getting good jokes out there, because we're testing them on each other, we're writing together. 'And even though our industry is struggling and getting smaller, the comedians are still upskilling and they're becoming better and better.' Hotene agreed, noting there are 'really good comedians' across the country. Other winners at Last Laughs included James Nokise, who accepted the 2024 Topp Prize, given to a comedian with a unique approach to comedy who has made an impact on audiences and the industry. Johanna Cosgrove won the Festival Director's Choice Award, and Elouise Eftos and Rosco McClelland were joint Best International winners.
Scoop
25-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Scoop
Billy T And Fred Award Winners Announced For The 2025 NZ International Comedy Fest
Press Release – Elephant Publicity After a month of side-splitting shows from the very best local and international comedians, the NZ International Comedy Festival with Best Foods Mayo wrapped up this evening at Last Laughs. After the performances, the New Zealand Comedy Trust honoured the brightest comedy talent of this year's festival with multiple awards, including the coveted 2025 Fred Award for the Best New Zealand Show in the Festival and the 2025 Billy T Award for a comedian with the most outstanding potential. Last Laughs, a showcase of the best of the best homegrown talent, was hosted by 2021 Fred Award winner Eli Matthewson, with performances from Fred Award finalists – Abby Howells, Angella Dravid, Melanie Bracewell, and the 2025 Billy T Award nominees, David Stuart, Hoani Hotene, Lesa MacLeod-Whiting, Booth the Clown & Jak Darling, and Itay Dom. Started in 1997 and inspired by comedy legend William James Te Wehi Taitoko MBE (Billy T James), The Billy T Award celebrates the growth of fresh talent in the Aotearoa comedy industry. Each year it is awarded to an outstanding emerging performer with a commitment to their comedy career. Hoani Hotene took home the prestigious Yellow Towel for the Billy T Award and a $5,000 cash grant from New Zealand Comedy Trust. The award was presented on stage at SkyCity Theatre by 2024 Billy T Award winner Lana Walters. Named in honour of much-loved comedy icon John Clarke's legendary Kiwi character Fred Dagg, The Fred Award recognises the Comedy Festival's Best Show by a New Zealand comedian. Angella Dravid was named the 2025 Fred Award winner, receiving the iconic Golden Gumboot and a cash grant of $5,000 from the New Zealand Comedy Trust. 2024 Fred Award Winner Barnie Duncan and Chris Parker (standing in as Trygve Wakenshaw) were on stage to hand over the baton to the new Fred recipient. Other award winners this year also include: Best Newcomer (Auckland): Sean Collier with Write-Off Best Newcomer (Wellington – Joint Winners): Mo Munn with Is It Off? and Liv Ward with EPIC WAY! I'm Gay? Oui oui faguette™ I LOVE KIM HILL (1999 version) Festival Director's Choice Award: Johanna Cosgrove with SWEETIE Best International (Joint Winners): Elouise Eftos with Australia's First Attractive Comedian and Rosco McClelland with Sudden Death James Nokise was also honoured in person in front of his peers with his 2024 Topp Prize by New Zealand Comedy Trust Chief Executive, Lauren Whitney.
Scoop
25-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Scoop
Billy T And Fred Award Winners Announced For The 2025 NZ International Comedy Fest
After a month of side-splitting shows from the very best local and international comedians, the NZ International Comedy Festival with Best Foods Mayo wrapped up this evening at Last Laughs. After the performances, the New Zealand Comedy Trust honoured the brightest comedy talent of this year's festival with multiple awards, including the coveted 2025 Fred Award for the Best New Zealand Show in the Festival and the 2025 Billy T Award for a comedian with the most outstanding potential. Last Laughs, a showcase of the best of the best homegrown talent, was hosted by 2021 Fred Award winner Eli Matthewson, with performances from Fred Award finalists - Abby Howells, Angella Dravid, Melanie Bracewell, and the 2025 Billy T Award nominees, David Stuart, Hoani Hotene, Lesa MacLeod-Whiting, Booth the Clown & Jak Darling, and Itay Dom. Started in 1997 and inspired by comedy legend William James Te Wehi Taitoko MBE (Billy T James), The Billy T Award celebrates the growth of fresh talent in the Aotearoa comedy industry. Each year it is awarded to an outstanding emerging performer with a commitment to their comedy career. Hoani Hotene took home the prestigious Yellow Towel for the Billy T Award and a $5,000 cash grant from New Zealand Comedy Trust. The award was presented on stage at SkyCity Theatre by 2024 Billy T Award winner Lana Walters. Named in honour of much-loved comedy icon John Clarke's legendary Kiwi character Fred Dagg, The Fred Award recognises the Comedy Festival's Best Show by a New Zealand comedian. Angella Dravid was named the 2025 Fred Award winner, receiving the iconic Golden Gumboot and a cash grant of $5,000 from the New Zealand Comedy Trust. 2024 Fred Award Winner Barnie Duncan and Chris Parker (standing in as Trygve Wakenshaw) were on stage to hand over the baton to the new Fred recipient. Other award winners this year also include: Best International (Joint Winners): Elouise Eftos with Australia's First Attractive Comedian and Rosco McClelland with Sudden Death James Nokise was also honoured in person in front of his peers with his 2024 Topp Prize by New Zealand Comedy Trust Chief Executive, Lauren Whitney.
Scoop
24-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Scoop
Finalists Announced For 2025 Comedy Fest's Fred Award For Best New Zealand Show
The three finalists for this year's coveted Fred Award have been chosen by a panel of expert judges and will compete at tomorrow's final showcase Last Laughs, hosted by Eli Matthewson. The award will go to the Best New Zealand Show in the 2025 NZ International Comedy Festival with Best Foods Mayo and is one of the highest commendations in Aotearoa's comedy industry. Named in honour of the late comedy icon John Clarke's legendary Kiwi character Fred Dagg, The Fred Award was introduced in 2006 and recognises the Comedy Festival's Best Show by a New Zealand comedian. Previous winners have included Rose Matafeo, Guy Montgomery, Dai Henwood, James Nokise, Chris Parker, Rhys Darby and the 2024 reigning winners Barnie Duncan & Trygve Wakenshaw with their show Different Party. The standard has been incredibly high across the Festival and the panel had long discussions to create the shortlist of three finalists. The Fred Award finalists for 2025 are: For the first time, all of this year's Fred finalists are women, an exciting milestone that celebrates the creativity and contributions of wāhine across the comedy industry. All three have also previously won the coveted Billy T Award, Angella in 2017, Melanie in 2018 and Abby in 2023. 'This year's Fred Award finalists represent the very best of what comedy in Aotearoa can be, fearless, distinctive, and brilliantly funny. It's a proud moment to see these wāhine, all previous Billy T Award winners, take centre stage in a lineup that's both historic and deeply deserved.' says Lauren Whitney, Chief Executive, New Zealand Comedy Trust. The Fred Award winner will receive a $5,000 cash grant from the New Zealand Comedy Trust. The Trust's vision and purpose is to champion the craft of comedy so everyone can share a laugh, and are the producers of the Festival. The final show of the Festival tomorrow, Last Laughs is hosted by 2021 Fred Award winner Eli Matthewson. Head along to celebrate the best of the festival at Last Laughs from 7PM at SKYCITY, and see performances from the Fred Award finalists, alongside the 2025 Billy T Award nominees, David Stuart, Hoani Hotene, Lesa MacLeod-Whiting, Booth the Clown & Jak Darling, and Itay Dom. Witness who will be honoured with the prestigious Billy T Award Yellow Towel and The Fred Award's Golden Gumboot and the official gifting of the Topp Prize to James Nokise. Making a special appearance as this year's headline act is Tofiga.
NZ Herald
02-05-2025
- Entertainment
- NZ Herald
Things to do in Auckland this weekend: Music events, comedy festivals, interactive exhibitions and more
Where: Brad's Warehouse, 9/11 Durham Lane, Auckland Central. Price: Tickets $32 + booking fees from Resonate at Darklight When: May 3, 7.30pm. 2) NZ International Comedy Festival Laughing is good for you and for the people you live with who get to benefit from your laughter-induced mood improvement, so all hail the NZ International Comedy Festival, which kicked off this week. The local comedy pool continues to grow in size and talent, and this year's festival has more than 600 live performances by homegrown and international comedians. Some international highlights of this year's festival include Felicity Ward, Ed Gamble, Adam Kay, Jen Brister, Mo Amer and Nish Kumar. Local favourites include Melanie Bracewell, Guy Williams, Angella Dravid, Brynley Stent, Pax Assadi and more. If you want a taster session, head along to one of the Classic Comedy Fest All Stars shows that run Tuesday to Sunday throughout the festival or The Comedy Mixtape, Last Laughs or The Best Comedy Show on Earth. When: May 2-25. Price: Visit for the full programme and tickets. 3) Naomi Faifai - Inner Workings If you're heading to the Aotearoa Art Fair this weekend at the Viaduct Events Centre then might we suggest a little stopover at the Frame Workshop & Gallery in Herne Bay, which has just opened a new exhibition by South Island artist Naomi Faifai. Naomi works with mixed media to create often large-scale works that reflect her layered sense of identity as a Māori and Samoan New Zealander raised in Timaru in the '90s. Inner Workings, her first solo show, is a collection of 30 new works which explore 'place, connection, and the mahi she's done on self-acceptance'. Her pieces are vibrant, playful and steeped in meaning. You'll probably want to take one or three home with you. When: May 2-17. Where: Frame Workshop & Gallery, 182 Jervois Rd, Herne Bay, Auckland. 4) Free Music in the City Auckland Council's NZ Music Month offerings in the central city are extensive. Every Saturday in May, there's a performance by Te Whare Karioi at Te Wharekura historic kiosk in Quay St. The professional kapa haka group, with Ngāti Whatua Ōrakei roots, is led by Piripi Davis and will showcase taonga pūkaea, pūtatara, taiaha, poi and haka at the western end of Te Wānanga at 11am. This Saturday, there's also Afrokin Youth Fest at the Ellen Melville Centre. The afternoon event will feature live performances curated by Creative Pwele and creative activities by House of Afi in honour of another May celebration: Africa Month. And finally, there's a screening of the online performances by this year's Ka Mua Ka Muri Te Iho Ahau participants at the Academy Theatre. The talented musicians featured include Idol Essence, Tema, Romi Wrights, Joe Kaptein and Bailey Wiley. It's a great weekend for a musical adventure in town. Te Whare Karioi Advertise with NZME. When: Saturdays May 3, 10, 17, 24 and 31, 11am-12pm. Where: Te Wharekura, Quay St. Afrokin When: May 3, 12pm-4pm. Where: Ellen Melville Centre, 2 Freyburg Place. Ka Mua Ka Muri Te Iho Ahau Advertise with NZME. When: May 3, 5.30pm-8pm. Where: Academy Theatre, 44 Lorne St. Visit for more information. 5) Food. Art. Music. On Saturday, the K Road Business Association is launching the inaugural FAM event - an afternoon of food, live music and art. It's whānau-friendly so you can bring the kids and enjoy free performances across three main stages. The musical lineup is curated by Matthew Crawley, with additional performances by Kita Mean Drag Queen and the tamariki marching band that visiting children can join with instruments they bring from home or ones they make at the DIY instrument workshop in St Kevin's Arcade. There are market stalls, fashion, art, a sausage sizzle, and a fun, inclusive and community-building vibe. When: May 3, 12pm-6pm. Where: Karangahape Rd, Auckland Central. Price: Free. 6) Te Marama Puoro o Aotearoa, New Zealand Music Month In every other month of the year, you can listen to whatever music you want to, but in May, we go local. Listen to your favourite New Zealand artists, discover new music from up-and-coming Kiwi musicians and support our local music scene by going to as many gigs and live performances as you can. There are more than 20 events in Auckland this weekend alone, including Reb Fountain at the Town Hall, and performances and workshops at local libraries, theatres and bars. Spend some time perusing the programme of close to 500 events across the country this month, and you're almost certain to find something in your neck of the woods. And don't forget to start planning your T-shirt for New Zealand Music T Shirt Day on May 30. When: May 1-31. Where: Nationwide. Visit for the full schedule of events. 7) Play Our Preludes To hear some microjazz piano composed by one of Aotearoa's most esteemed composers alongside compositions by some of our newest talents, head along to one of pianist Lee Martelli-Wood's five free microjazz concerts this month. Martelli-Wood was inspired to create the Play Our Preludes series of concerts after performing Christopher Norton's compositions online for friends during lockdown and finding a widespread appreciation for his music, particularly his rock and Latin preludes. She will also be performing the winning compositions from the young composers' competition as selected by Norton. This weekend's concert is at the Blockhouse Bay Boat Club, and the remaining four at Te Tuhi Art Gallery Auditorium in Pakuranga; The Fickling Centre in Three Kings; the Otara Music and Arts Centre; and St George's Presbyterian Church in Takapuna. When: May 4, 3pm. Visit for more information. 8) May the Fourth The best place to celebrate pseudo-holiday May the Fourth is of course, at Stardome. Star Wars fans of all ages should head down to Stardome to join the festivities and watch The Planets of Star Wars 30-minute planetarium show. Dressing up is highly encouraged, and there'll be spot prizes for those sporting the best costumes. The All Blocks Lego Users Group will be there with a Star Wars Lego display and, in the afternoon, a real-life R2D2 will be patrolling the premises along with some of the 501st Legion Stormtroopers. The day's activities will close out with a screening of parody film Spaceballs complete with free popcorn, but you'd better act swiftly because it's going to sell out. When: May 4, The Planets of Star Wars screenings at 12pm, 1pm, 3pm, 4pm, 6pm and 7pm; Spaceballs at 8pm. Price: Visit for more information and tickets. 9) E-Waste Drive-Through Collection If you don't have a drawer full of tangled old cables and redundant or malfunctioning electronics, are you even living in 2025? Samsung New Zealand and Echo are happy to take that clutter off your hands this weekend (and next) with their free e-waste collection drive. Last year, they collected 32,839kg of e-waste, which paints a pretty terrifying picture of how much e-waste this country generates. They accept all sorts of electronics, including televisions, computers, heat pumps and whiteware, and they'll give you a $50 Samsung e-voucher for your troubles. Not that it will cause you much trouble because you don't even have to get out of your car at the drop-off stations. Go on, you know you need to. When and where: May 3, 9am-3pm, Eden Park Carpark, Gate G entry via Sandringham Rd, Kingsland. When and where: May 10, 9am-3pm, Smales Farm Carpark, The Avenue, Takapuna. Price: Free. 10) Plan ahead: Clemintine No, that's not a typo; new Dunedin band Clemintine are heading to Auckland next week to make a lot of noise with their 'emotionally fraught melodies and raging heartbeat drums'. They're performing four shows while here with a swathe of local guests. On May 9, they're joined by The Ideas and The First Child at 605; on May 10, Lipstick Cherry and CTO will join them at Small Gods; on May 15, they're performing at Whakamana with Vikae, Exit Sign and Wave Slave; and on May 16, High Voltage and Scream by Tulips will perform with them at Cupid. If you haven't heard of any of these bands, well, that's exactly what New Zealand Music Month is all about: discovering new local talents. And don't say we didn't warn you that it's going to be loud. When and where: May 9, 605 New North Rd, Morningside. When and where: May 10, Small Gods Taproom, 2/2 Shaddock Street, Eden Terrace. When and where: May 15, Whakamana Cannabis Museum, 19 Beresford Square, Auckland Central.
