<rss version="2.0" xmlns:content="http://purl.org/rss/1.0/modules/content/" xmlns:dc="http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/"><channel><title>capitalcomedy</title><description>capitalcomedy</description><link>http://www.capitalcomedy.co.nz/blog</link><item><title>Happy 2nd Birthday Blindset</title><description><![CDATA[Capital Comedy's Blindset turned 2 years old. I can hardly believe that we've been going for two years now! We've produced 18 shows with 126 comedians performing. That's a lot of laughs provided! We've been nominated for Best Show Concept once and won the same award in another year. Julz Burgisser, producer of Blindset also won Best Off-Stager in the same year for all her work.We spent our birthday hosting a Birthday Special Show hosted by Ricky Threlfo, giving away prizes and having a blast!<img src="http://static.wixstatic.com/media/5ba003_b9d6c09108b841e8ad8694aed0c10562%7Emv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_626%2Ch_232/5ba003_b9d6c09108b841e8ad8694aed0c10562%7Emv2.jpg"/>]]></description><link>http://www.capitalcomedy.co.nz/single-post/2017/06/02/Happy-2nd-Birthday-Blindset</link><guid>http://www.capitalcomedy.co.nz/single-post/2017/06/02/Happy-2nd-Birthday-Blindset</guid><pubDate>Fri, 02 Jun 2017 01:51:00 +0000</pubDate><content:encoded><![CDATA[<div><img src="http://static.wixstatic.com/media/5ba003_b9d6c09108b841e8ad8694aed0c10562~mv2.jpg"/><div>Capital Comedy's Blindset turned 2 years old. I can hardly believe that we've been going for two years now! </div><div>We've produced 18 shows with 126 comedians performing. That's a lot of laughs provided! We've been nominated for Best Show Concept once and won the same award in another year. Julz Burgisser, producer of Blindset also won Best Off-Stager in the same year for all her work.</div><div>We spent our birthday hosting a Birthday Special Show hosted by Ricky Threlfo, giving away prizes and having a blast! The co-producers Julz Burgisser and Carl Anderson, even performed in their own show. </div><div>As another Birthday Special, here's a gallery of some of our favorite Blindset Poster images. Have a laugh looking through. All created with the wonderful imagination and skill of EB Creative. </div><div><img src="http://static.wixstatic.com/media/5ba003_213a5a14f94f40ce962fb6a6d77f9db0~mv2.jpg"/><img src="http://static.wixstatic.com/media/5ba003_c5ea5b2f86c043afabbecf9d77ec8b4e~mv2.jpg"/><img src="http://static.wixstatic.com/media/5ba003_f527708ceeba4ec09a8a0c367323dae9~mv2.jpg"/><img src="http://static.wixstatic.com/media/5ba003_21381c33e2e44842a08383a0005b8d29~mv2.jpg"/><img src="http://static.wixstatic.com/media/5ba003_9c7112c5c6e74e5d9fa162f379365ae6~mv2.jpg"/><img src="http://static.wixstatic.com/media/5ba003_d6cba3e05743453e8d6e31d7f414f1aa~mv2_d_3365_1245_s_2.jpg"/><img src="http://static.wixstatic.com/media/5ba003_0181d0627edd49aa9b24b320af512b52~mv2.jpg"/><img src="http://static.wixstatic.com/media/5ba003_7f8bbadb02d14d88b685a096e9811d69~mv2.jpg"/><img src="http://static.wixstatic.com/media/5ba003_a5c62d726cae4c6f8643580a274a03ca~mv2.jpg"/></div></div>]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Capital Comedy Christmas</title><description><![CDATA[A tiny message from Capital Comedy's Producer Julz Burgisser to you.Running Capital Comedy's Blindset and Hard Cases this year has been a real pleasure.We're looking forward to helping many more people find the funny, whether it's to see a show or it's to become a comic; we're here to help.We couldn't do it without our amazing laughing audiences, so thank you!Happy holidays all! We're looking forward to an amazing 2017.<img src="http://img.youtube.com/vi/LRXd84DE-FQ/mqdefault.jpg"/>]]></description><link>http://www.capitalcomedy.co.nz/single-post/2016/12/28/Capital-Comedy-Christmas</link><guid>http://www.capitalcomedy.co.nz/single-post/2016/12/28/Capital-Comedy-Christmas</guid><pubDate>Wed, 21 Dec 2016 23:43:00 +0000</pubDate><content:encoded><![CDATA[<div><iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/LRXd84DE-FQ"/><div>A tiny message from Capital Comedy's Producer Julz Burgisser to you.</div><div>Running Capital Comedy's Blindset and Hard Cases this year has been a real pleasure.</div><div>We're looking forward to helping many more people find the funny, whether it's to see a show or it's to become a comic; we're here to help.</div><div>We couldn't do it without our amazing laughing audiences, so thank you!</div><div>Happy holidays all! We're looking forward to an amazing 2017.</div></div>]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Wellington Comedy Awards</title><description><![CDATA[This year the production team of Sanjay Parbhu and Julz Burgisser from Capital Comedy's Blindset was asked to perform at the Wellington Comedy Awards as we won an award for Best Concept Show last year. What an honour to take the stage at such a prestigious event. We did a live topic forming improvised set with interesting results. We were again nominated for the same award this year. We were so excited to still be considered one of Wellington's top concept shows and we clapped with huge glee<img src="http://static.wixstatic.com/media/5ba003_53a910ed09b044d08b7b6cbaef248d68%7Emv2.jpg"/>]]></description><link>http://www.capitalcomedy.co.nz/single-post/2016/12/14/Wellington-Comedy-Awards</link><guid>http://www.capitalcomedy.co.nz/single-post/2016/12/14/Wellington-Comedy-Awards</guid><pubDate>Tue, 13 Dec 2016 23:45:00 +0000</pubDate><content:encoded><![CDATA[<div><img src="http://static.wixstatic.com/media/5ba003_53a910ed09b044d08b7b6cbaef248d68~mv2.jpg"/><div>This year the production team of Sanjay Parbhu and Julz Burgisser from Capital Comedy's Blindset was asked to perform at the Wellington Comedy Awards as we won an award for Best Concept Show last year. What an honour to take the stage at such a prestigious event. We did a live topic forming improvised set with interesting results. </div><div>We were again nominated for the same award this year. We were so excited to still be considered one of Wellington's top concept shows and we clapped with huge glee when we saw our favorite new fellow show winning the top spot this year. I didn't write this took out the top spot, our favorites in funny as not only is it a great concept but they share the best venue in town with us, our beloved Cavern Club. </div><div>Julz Burgisser was asked to perform also as she won an award for Best Off-Stager this year. She took the stage with a song parody to sing to huge applause. Julz was also nominated for three awards this year, Most Loved Off-Stager and Most Helpful Off-Stager for everything she does with Capital Comedy and helping new comics to take the stage. For her own comedy skills she was nominated for Most Improved as she's been working hard on her comedy this year and has had some killer gigs. </div><div>As usual the Wellington Comedy Awards was an amazing night of fun and celebration of everyone's hard work and we were stoked to be a part of it all. </div><div>We've listed the winners for you below so you can see who the Best Comics in Wellington are as voted by their peers. Get along to see some awesome comedy near you soon. </div><div>Best Newcomer - Winner: Yohan de Rose,</div><div>Best Newcomer - Nominees:Ray O'Leary, Advait Kirtikar, Severin Gourley, Josh Davies</div><div>Most Improved - Winner: Patch Lambert,</div><div>Most Improved - Nominees: Ben MacGougan, Ray O'Leary, Sera Devcich, Julz Burgisser</div><div>Best Show - Winner: Dank Comedy Show,</div><div>Best Show - Nominees: Wellington Mic Drop, The Medicine, The President (Donald Trump), Fresh Bananas</div><div>Best Concept - Winner: I Didn't Write This,</div><div>Best Concept - Nominees: Blind Set, The President, Naked Girls Reading, Fresh Bananas</div><div>Most Loved - Winner: Adam Wright,</div><div>Most Loved - Nominees: Sanjay Parbhu, Ray O'Leary, Julz Burgisser, Vaughan King</div><div>Most Helpful - Winner: Vaughan King,</div><div>Most Helpful - Nominees: Julz Burgisser, Joel Wood, Brad Zimmerman, Hilaire Carmody</div><div>Breakout Performer- Winner: Alexander Sparrow (Trump),</div><div>Breakout Performer - Nominees: Sera Devcich, Ray O'Leary, Patch Lambert, Lucy Roche</div><div>Best Joke - Winner: Brad Zimmerman,</div><div>Best Joke - Nominees: Ben MacGougan, Jerome Chandrahasen, Rob Harris, Patch Lambert</div><div>Best MC - Winner: Jerome Chandrahasen,</div><div>Best MC - Nominees: Constance Craving, Neil Thornton, Adam Wright, Nik Bruce-Smith</div><div>Best Comedian - Winner: Jerome Chandrahasen,</div><div>Best Comedian - Nominees: James Nokise, Ray O'Leary, Li'i Alaimoana, Neil Thornton</div><div>Huge lineup of names and just a tiny indication of the huge talent we have here in Wellington. See you at a show soon. </div></div>]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Billy T Award Nominees Announced</title><description><![CDATA[So exciting!The 5 x Billy T Awards nominees have been selected and three of them are from Wellington! Li'i Alaimoana, Ray O'Leary and Patch Lambert. Congratulations on your huge achievement guys! Now on to planning your solo shows and winning.Also congratulations to all those who competed and made the competition so hard. You're all amazing and I hope you got a ton of good things out of the process. 💯👏💕😁<img src="http://static.wixstatic.com/media/5ba003_d9ce2eb9b45b47c4ab65d62dfe919d14%7Emv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_626%2Ch_626/5ba003_d9ce2eb9b45b47c4ab65d62dfe919d14%7Emv2.jpg"/>]]></description><link>http://www.capitalcomedy.co.nz/single-post/2016/10/13/Billy-T-Award-Nominees-Announced</link><guid>http://www.capitalcomedy.co.nz/single-post/2016/10/13/Billy-T-Award-Nominees-Announced</guid><pubDate>Wed, 12 Oct 2016 22:28:00 +0000</pubDate><content:encoded><![CDATA[<div><div>So exciting!</div><div>The 5 x Billy T Awards nominees have been selected and three of them are from Wellington! Li'i Alaimoana, Ray O'Leary and Patch Lambert. </div><div>Congratulations on your huge achievement guys! Now on to planning your solo shows and winning.</div><div>Also congratulations to all those who competed and made the competition so hard. You're all amazing and I hope you got a ton of good things out of the process. 💯👏💕😁</div><img src="http://static.wixstatic.com/media/5ba003_d9ce2eb9b45b47c4ab65d62dfe919d14~mv2.jpg"/></div>]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Hard Cases making Movie Magic!</title><description><![CDATA[WHAT A NIGHT! Hard Cases had it all.The comedy was superb and the laughter was huge.Having the Brendhan Lovegrove and crew filming for the movie 'Cade' was an amazing experience!Neil Thornton our MC knocked us over and all the comics slammed home runs. Just so much WOW!Thanks to Scotty and Mal who lend us their venue every week, and all who joked or laughed with us.See you next time!<img src="http://static.wixstatic.com/media/5ba003_889dca76d55249d88ad85d87e6cd6805%7Emv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_626%2Ch_626/5ba003_889dca76d55249d88ad85d87e6cd6805%7Emv2.jpg"/>]]></description><link>http://www.capitalcomedy.co.nz/single-post/2016/09/24/Hard-Cases-making-Movie-Magic</link><guid>http://www.capitalcomedy.co.nz/single-post/2016/09/24/Hard-Cases-making-Movie-Magic</guid><pubDate>Fri, 23 Sep 2016 23:21:00 +0000</pubDate><content:encoded><![CDATA[<div><div>WHAT A NIGHT! Hard Cases had it all.</div><div>The comedy was superb and the laughter was huge.</div><div>Having the Brendhan Lovegrove and crew filming for the movie 'Cade' was an amazing experience!</div><div>Neil Thornton our MC knocked us over and all the comics slammed home runs. Just so much WOW!</div><div>Thanks to Scotty and Mal who lend us their venue every week, and all who joked or laughed with us.</div><div>See you next time!</div><img src="http://static.wixstatic.com/media/5ba003_889dca76d55249d88ad85d87e6cd6805~mv2.jpg"/></div>]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Wellingtonians of the Year Finalists 2016</title><description><![CDATA[The venue owners of S&M's where we hold Hard Cases: Scotty and Mal, have always been hugely involved in the local community and it's awesome to see a little recognition of their contributions."Scott and Malcolm Kennedy-Vaughan are co-founders of The Chrissy Witoko Memorial Trust and owners of S&M's Cocktail Lounge in Upper Cuba St, providing outstanding contributions to Wellington's LGBTIQ community."Good on you boys for your finalist position and we love you!<img src="http://static.wixstatic.com/media/5ba003_7ddd23989a65435aac2966a7b4f9e9cb%7Emv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_626%2Ch_685/5ba003_7ddd23989a65435aac2966a7b4f9e9cb%7Emv2.jpg"/>]]></description><link>http://www.capitalcomedy.co.nz/single-post/2016/10/21/Wellington-Community-Finalists-Named</link><guid>http://www.capitalcomedy.co.nz/single-post/2016/10/21/Wellington-Community-Finalists-Named</guid><pubDate>Tue, 20 Sep 2016 23:27:00 +0000</pubDate><content:encoded><![CDATA[<div><div>The venue owners of S&amp;M's where we hold Hard Cases: Scotty and Mal, have always been hugely involved in the local community and it's awesome to see a little recognition of their contributions.</div><div>&quot;Scott and Malcolm Kennedy-Vaughan are co-founders of The Chrissy Witoko Memorial Trust and owners of S&amp;M's Cocktail Lounge in Upper Cuba St, providing outstanding contributions to Wellington's LGBTIQ community.&quot;</div><div>Good on you boys for your finalist position and we love you!</div><iframe src="http://static.usrfiles.com/html/24497f_bc18ce4bdc4ceb8b233a38c2b2439261.html"/><img src="http://static.wixstatic.com/media/5ba003_7ddd23989a65435aac2966a7b4f9e9cb~mv2.jpg"/></div>]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>De Sade - Alexander Sparrow</title><description><![CDATA[With expectations of Sex Dungeons, and stories of lust and sadism; I attended De Sade with great excitement and trepidation. I wasn’t disappointed. The start of the show full of imagery of decadence and pleasure despite his imprisonment. De Sade is written by, directed by and performed by Alexander Sparrow, who appears in full nakedness with riding crop in hand, beginning the show with a visceral introduction to what awaits. The poster by Jamie Bottomley is simplistic in it’s design and it’s<img src="http://static.wixstatic.com/media/5ba003_577a85b4fe354449b3edc84a931673e9%7Emv2.jpg"/>]]></description><link>http://www.capitalcomedy.co.nz/single-post/2016/06/05/De-Sade---Alexander-Sparrow</link><guid>http://www.capitalcomedy.co.nz/single-post/2016/06/05/De-Sade---Alexander-Sparrow</guid><pubDate>Sat, 04 Jun 2016 22:17:00 +0000</pubDate><content:encoded><![CDATA[<div><img src="http://static.wixstatic.com/media/5ba003_577a85b4fe354449b3edc84a931673e9~mv2.jpg"/><div>With expectations of Sex Dungeons, and stories of lust and sadism; I attended De Sade with great excitement and trepidation. I wasn’t disappointed. The start of the show full of imagery of decadence and pleasure despite his imprisonment. De Sade is written by, directed by and performed by Alexander Sparrow, who appears in full nakedness with riding crop in hand, beginning the show with a visceral introduction to what awaits. </div><div>The poster by Jamie Bottomley is simplistic in it’s design and it’s focus. The simplicity of the set is continued with wine, cake and books, and tells a story of a life lived through fantasy and small pleasures. He dresses, including us in his clothing decisions, deliberately warming us up to our involvement in the show which proves to be crucial as it progresses. We are warned of being offended and to control our urges, as ironically he begins to tell us a story of how he never controlled his own; thus why he finds himself jailed and unable to escape. We are taken by the hand and led into the fantasy, every word leading us deeper into the mind of De Sade and into the safety of following our own desires. </div><div>As the stories of debauchery are told, we the audience are now involved and are teased into an unbearable tension, broken with laughter that bubbles over with relief as he releases the spell with a joke. He explains why the usual perversions aren’t enough and he explores further and encourages us to do the same; not just in our mind but out loud to our fellow audience members and in a few key cases in a powerful display of control and painful perversions on stage with him. Of course, where you include the audience you must make sure that they know their role in the show. A few excitable audience interrupted the flow, though Sparrow eventually wrestled back control. </div><div> It’s a show you must release your sense of control and relax into the enjoyment of stories and laughter. Watch Sparrow as he manically darts from one end of the space to the other, drawing your eye and your attention as he strides around amongst us. Sometimes this high energy striding is somewhat distracting to his storytelling or feels like a stalling technique. I wanted a more controlled deliberate movement from De Sade, more of a predatory confident grace would have been in keeping. </div><div>He implores us to pursue our own pleasures, whether it be cake or something more. He preaches anarchy as a state of being, to chase the chaos in order to find your purpose. He promises that if he could do it all again, he would but better. What would be your better? Do you dare to follow your own pleasure? Will you be the next passion seekers to step into the room to see and speak with De Sade, like never before? The prison where he resides is open for a limited time and pure pleasure awaits inside. </div><div>See more of Alexander Sparrow here: www.facebook.com/alexandersparrowcomedian</div></div>]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Children and Other Mistakes - Daniel John Smith</title><description><![CDATA[He’s cool calm and collected and he really doesn’t want kids. Painting the scene for us and warning us of an upcoming fictional murder, Daniel John Smith Winner of Best Comedian at the 2015 Wellington Comedy Awards, guides us through his stream of reasons why not having kids is the right choice for him. With a ton of confidence he storms the stage, as he tells us exactly why the world is not ready for the children of the self named vanilla loaf that he claims to be. Alternatively, he presents<img src="http://static.wixstatic.com/media/5ba003_231352dc977b43cea32dc7a134394fe5%7Emv2.jpg"/>]]></description><link>http://www.capitalcomedy.co.nz/single-post/2016/04/30/Children-and-Other-Mistakes---Daniel-John-Smith</link><guid>http://www.capitalcomedy.co.nz/single-post/2016/04/30/Children-and-Other-Mistakes---Daniel-John-Smith</guid><pubDate>Fri, 29 Apr 2016 22:21:00 +0000</pubDate><content:encoded><![CDATA[<div><img src="http://static.wixstatic.com/media/5ba003_231352dc977b43cea32dc7a134394fe5~mv2.jpg"/><div>He’s cool calm and collected and he really doesn’t want kids. Painting the scene for us and warning us of an upcoming fictional murder, Daniel John Smith Winner of Best Comedian at the 2015 Wellington Comedy Awards, guides us through his stream of reasons why not having kids is the right choice for him. </div><div> With a ton of confidence he storms the stage, as he tells us exactly why the world is not ready for the children of the self named vanilla loaf that he claims to be. Alternatively, he presents memories of his own childhood that have us questioning whether he should be allowed to bring up children. </div><div>His comedy is far from vanilla as he breaks away from conventional comedy, granting us a glimpse into his weird and wonderful mind. Though I’ve seen him perform many times I love hearing my old favourite jokes intertwined with the new and I’m still laughing as hard as I did the first time. That’s the sign of a comedy craftsman, someone who can tell jokes that rings both true and hilarious at the same time. His clever wordplay is a running theme throughout that not only entertains but educates, alongside a stream of astute observations of the world around him and questioning that world in ways that lead to hilarious results. </div><div>The multitude of reasons for not having children lead us down some strange paths. From overpopulation to Fair Ground Carnies (and his favourite joke of the show - possibly mine as well but it’s so hard to choose) to sex education and a scooter riding Mum (or is she?). The show is wonderfully written with a clear focus on kids really being the worst.Those with kids already are laughing uproariously in recognition and those without find ourselves being totally in agreement with him. </div><div>Daniel is a solid and strong comic who delivers jokes that side swipe from nowhere, surprising the laughs out of you and they just keep coming. A persuasive, clever argument and very, very funny show that both the childless and the cursed with children need to see and laugh at. </div><div>Daniel John Smith's show &quot;Children and other Mistakes&quot; is on at Cavern Club Tues 26th to Saturday 30th at 7pm.</div></div>]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Wow! You Won't Believe This Disney Prince Reimagined as an Absolute Comedy Legend. - Eli Matthewson</title><description><![CDATA[The Internet has grown to be such an essential part of our lives that it's hard to imagine life without it anymore. Of course, some parts of it are less essential to daily life than others. Eli Matthewson’s show ‘Wow! You Won't Believe This Disney Prince Reimagined as an Absolute Comedy Legend.’ is a clickbait title if ever you heard one and that’s the point! Eli has been seen on TV3’s Jono and Ben, AotearoHA, Funny Girls and he’s been nominated for the Billy T twice as well as many other awards<img src="http://static.wixstatic.com/media/5ba003_7d4e7705cfdb4ddaa9adddf935783b68%7Emv2.jpg"/>]]></description><link>http://www.capitalcomedy.co.nz/single-post/2016/04/29/Wow-You-Wont-Believe-This-Disney-Prince-Reimagined-as-an-Absolute-Comedy-Legend---Eli-Matthewson</link><guid>http://www.capitalcomedy.co.nz/single-post/2016/04/29/Wow-You-Wont-Believe-This-Disney-Prince-Reimagined-as-an-Absolute-Comedy-Legend---Eli-Matthewson</guid><pubDate>Thu, 28 Apr 2016 22:25:00 +0000</pubDate><content:encoded><![CDATA[<div><img src="http://static.wixstatic.com/media/5ba003_7d4e7705cfdb4ddaa9adddf935783b68~mv2.jpg"/><div>The Internet has grown to be such an essential part of our lives that it's hard to imagine life without it anymore. Of course, some parts of it are less essential to daily life than others. Eli Matthewson’s show ‘Wow! You Won't Believe This Disney Prince Reimagined as an Absolute Comedy Legend.’ is a clickbait title if ever you heard one and that’s the point!</div><div> Eli has been seen on TV3’s Jono and Ben, AotearoHA, Funny Girls and he’s been nominated for the Billy T twice as well as many other awards having been presented, so we know even before going in that we’re going to be in good hands. I had the real joy of seeing his festival show, Faith, last year and loved every second, so you can imagine my excitement about seeing what’s next. </div><div>The projections on the screen makes up a big part of the show, setting the background scene in each new character sketch that we are presented with and often providing it’s own jokes in the clever interactive way it was put together. It’s a credit to the team of people involved with it’s production. </div><div>The show opens with a character calling himself the Soulful Soldier on the Youtube background.He has a tough task ahead of him and he’s filming it so the internet can respond to his troubles, only the conversation doesn’t quite go in the direction he expected and it has hilarious results. This is our taster for the show to come and sets the internet scene in a strong way. </div><div>The show lingers on the key forms of the internet and how we interact with them daily. From Facebook ads and posts to teenagers with their own channels on Youtube, from Instagram pics to Podcasts that make no sense, nothing is left unmocked and everything is on point. It’s not just a show where we laugh at the ridiculousness of the internet as we are scrolled through it by our energetic and expert guide, it’s a show designed to show us why we don’t need the internet as much as we think we do. Eli is deleting Facebook and after his show, I seriously considered doing it too. </div><div>Eli is energy and enthusiasm personified as he inspires the audience to volunteer to be various parts of the show, each part providing it’s own hilarious challenges for the volunteers and sometimes for Eli as he deals with the random suggestions from his audience. Never once did I see him stumble, in fact he was a joy to watch as he flew from sketch to sketch switching characters effortlessly and capturing our attention so intently that the hour flew by in a hail of laughter. </div><div>My favourite pieces were Flatties 5eva, which I was laughing so hard at I nearly cried at how true to reality it is; and who couldn’t love the new technology sketch which requires Eli to be on his feet after dragging an audience member to theirs. Watching the skill he has to put the audience in the palm of his hand and hold them there throughout a whole show was a lesson in comedy writing itself and I thoroughly recommend you get along to see, and be a part of, Eli’s show! </div><div>Eli Matthewson’s ‘Wow! You Won't Believe This Disney Prince Reimagined as an Absolute Comedy Legend.” on at BATS Theatre from Tues 26th to Sat 30th at 7pm. </div></div>]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Guy MontgoMERRY Christmas - Guy Montgomery</title><description><![CDATA[As we enter the room for a show entitled Guy MontgoMERRY Christmas we are greeted with a cheery Christmas image. There is a table set for dinner, a festively lit Christmas Tree and a leaping Reindeer holding a piece of Mistletoe trying to kiss everyone into moving up the front. In fact, if you’re planning to go see this show, my recommendation is to just go down the front to avoid the kisses (no offense Guy). Guy Montgomery, 2014 Billy T Award Winner, is known for his entertaining and off the<img src="http://static.wixstatic.com/media/5ba003_bdd6d413102f4ca6b10246fea367e0e9%7Emv2.jpg"/>]]></description><link>http://www.capitalcomedy.co.nz/single-post/2016/04/29/Guy-MontgoMERRY-Christmas---Guy-Montgomery</link><guid>http://www.capitalcomedy.co.nz/single-post/2016/04/29/Guy-MontgoMERRY-Christmas---Guy-Montgomery</guid><pubDate>Thu, 28 Apr 2016 22:23:00 +0000</pubDate><content:encoded><![CDATA[<div><img src="http://static.wixstatic.com/media/5ba003_bdd6d413102f4ca6b10246fea367e0e9~mv2.jpg"/><div>As we enter the room for a show entitled Guy MontgoMERRY Christmas we are greeted with a cheery Christmas image. There is a table set for dinner, a festively lit Christmas Tree and a leaping Reindeer holding a piece of Mistletoe trying to kiss everyone into moving up the front. In fact, if you’re planning to go see this show, my recommendation is to just go down the front to avoid the kisses (no offense Guy). </div><div> Guy Montgomery, 2014 Billy T Award Winner, is known for his entertaining and off the cuff style; and his show is an improvised, sketch and character-based comedy style which suits well. Relying on his skills to work an audience and read a room, this show rides on his experience and talent to improvise for our entertainment. From the beginning he has us laughing while he berates us ‘furiously’ for not doing what we’ve been asked, and this sets the tone for the rest of the show as we are a constant disappointment to him despite our laughing uproariously. </div><div>Just like Christmas, the show depends on everyone being in the spirit to have a good time. The audience is very much a part of the show, with more than just the usual crowd work; there are characters to be, treats to be had and tasks to perform. The more you embrace the chance to ‘Do Your Bit’ the better, and this seems to be a theme for the show as well as a clever way to involve the audience. We spend the show enjoying the interactions with the various audience members as they are integrated in the events, sometimes with results that make him ‘furious’ for trying to ruin his lovely April Christmas Day. </div><div>The spirit and determination of Montgomery for us to all do our part and all have a good time is reminiscent of the desperation and stress that surrounds Christmas for the host and the family, friends and complete strangers involved. He had some unplanned moments of stress himself with the usual hitches that plague opening night, such as musical cues going awry, costume malfunctions and props not quite being what they needed to be. Montgomery’s tabled turkey was a masterpiece, and his costume left nothing to the imagination. Frockling on stage through the various costumed characters, he revealed as much about Christmas as he did himself. </div><div>Throughout the chaos of the character sketches and audience interactions going on around him, Montgomery stayed calm and had us laughing so hard my cheeks were aching. This show is completely a credit to the fantastic performer that Montgomery is. He’s wonderfully dedicated to the roles and carries the show with a distinct awareness of it’s flaws, which sees you laughing with joyous abandonment of conventional comedy. Through mishaps and unplanned events he held our attention completely; I don’t think there was a single person in the room who would have missed seeing the show to revel in how he dealt with it all and developed the show quite literally in front of our eyes. </div><div>From the Christmas carols, to the tree and the history of Christmas, nothing is safe from Montgomery’s hilarious treatment. Guy MontgoMERRY Christmas is a unconventional trip down memory lane with all of the joy of Christmas brought to life by the passionate determination of a man in not very much clothing. You could tell that Montgomery was having the time of his life on stage, and it made the show the most entertaining show I’ve seen in a long time, if somewhat hard to review. </div><div>While not the most polished piece of work, it was opening night, and it is a comedy piece that suited the improvised style it was delivered in. It was completely appropriate to it’s theme, after all, when has Christmas ever gone exactly to plan? I laughed and laughed and enjoyed myself immensely and I would highly recommend going along to let your inner child free to revel in the ridiculousness on stage and join in both vocally and physically at every chance. </div><div>You can see Guy Montgomery’s show Guy MontgoMERRY Christmas at Fringe Bar, at 8pm from now until Saturday 30th of April. </div></div>]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Homicidial Pacifist - Sameena Zehra</title><description><![CDATA[With her opening line “Who thinks it’s about time to cull the human race?”, British comedian Sameena Zehra, shows us she’s a woman with a plan. Several plans in fact, but none so hilarious as her plan to fix what’s wrong with the world in general, with a quick quiz and a cull. She’s in New Zealand for the first time but she’s easily talking our language, though perhaps much faster than the average Kiwi. Her passion for her subject makes her a joy to watch, and her intelligent commentary on the<img src="http://static.wixstatic.com/media/5ba003_c248c0a2555542318faf171f28cd02e7%7Emv2.jpg"/>]]></description><link>http://www.capitalcomedy.co.nz/single-post/2017/01/13/Homicidial-Pacifist---Sameena-Zehra</link><guid>http://www.capitalcomedy.co.nz/single-post/2017/01/13/Homicidial-Pacifist---Sameena-Zehra</guid><pubDate>Wed, 02 Mar 2016 21:28:00 +0000</pubDate><content:encoded><![CDATA[<div><img src="http://static.wixstatic.com/media/5ba003_c248c0a2555542318faf171f28cd02e7~mv2.jpg"/><div>With her opening line “Who thinks it’s about time to cull the human race?”, British comedian Sameena Zehra, shows us she’s a woman with a plan. Several plans in fact, but none so hilarious as her plan to fix what’s wrong with the world in general, with a quick quiz and a cull. </div><div> She’s in New Zealand for the first time but she’s easily talking our language, though perhaps much faster than the average Kiwi. Her passion for her subject makes her a joy to watch, and her intelligent commentary on the world around her has us hanging on every fast-paced word she says. Eventually we are agreeing with everything she says too. In fact, part way through the show, I’m finding her arguments for the human race cull more and more valid. </div><div>As a self-confessed “Homicidial Pacifist”, Zehra explains how she is losing the battle to stay neutral when there are so many things that make her angry in the world, not the least of putting spoons in the fork section. No idiots, including politicians, are safe from her angry yet hilarious tirade. Somehow she even brings humour in an educational way to the subject of the way muslims are treated by idiots, and also manages to disarm us on the triggering topic of terrorism. In fact she tackles the hard topics with ease, wit and charm. Even if she is losing the moral high ground in her mind. </div><div>There is much to agree with and so much to laugh about. I would call Homicidial Pacifist the wittiest, most intelligent, comedy I’ve seen in the whole Wellington Fringe Festival 2016. It was comedy that made you laugh and made you think, and that was worth the ticket price alone (the stories about her husband were just a huge added bonus). If you see one show this year, see this show!</div></div>]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>The Biddy's</title><description><![CDATA[The Biddy's are a trio of grey haired, nosy, naughty, Irish ladies; who introduce themselves with a barbershop style song pronouncing themselves as “Crazy, Mad and Mental”. The show feels like we should all have a cup of tea and biscuits as three woman not scared to tell stories with long setups and familiar punchlines. It's a show that serves as a cheesy platter of jokes from three Irish woman, all of whom have the gift of the gab and aren't afraid to tell all about their husbands and what it's<img src="http://static.wixstatic.com/media/5ba003_3b0f042f8e3e4d33a6cba3762e233136%7Emv2.jpg"/>]]></description><link>http://www.capitalcomedy.co.nz/single-post/2016/02/28/The-Biddys</link><guid>http://www.capitalcomedy.co.nz/single-post/2016/02/28/The-Biddys</guid><pubDate>Sat, 27 Feb 2016 21:29:00 +0000</pubDate><content:encoded><![CDATA[<div><img src="http://static.wixstatic.com/media/5ba003_3b0f042f8e3e4d33a6cba3762e233136~mv2.jpg"/><div>The Biddy's are a trio of grey haired, nosy, naughty, Irish ladies; who introduce themselves with a barbershop style song pronouncing themselves as “Crazy, Mad and Mental”. </div><div>The show feels like we should all have a cup of tea and biscuits as three woman not scared to tell stories with long setups and familiar punchlines.</div><div> It's a show that serves as a cheesy platter of jokes from three Irish woman, all of whom have the gift of the gab and aren't afraid to tell all about their husbands and what it's like getting older. There's no social commentary here, no original ideas to get you thinking; nothing heavier than some sagging breasts. Just a three woman show built on puns, one liners and stories, some that we've heard many times before, but that is light, bubbly and fun.</div><div>The songs are clever, funny, catchy and well performed. Lovely melodies and harmonies as the blend together in hilarious moments of choreography and lyrics. </div><div>Good for a feel good giggle with your mother or aunties or the ladies in your life feeling the effects of time. Get a group together to cackle over songs about waxing and getting in the mood. The Biddy's are waiting to tell their stories to you.</div></div>]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Lovely Lady Lump's - Lana Schwarcz</title><description><![CDATA[Having read that the show Lovely Lady Lump was about comedian Lana Schwarcz’s experiences with early detected cancer, I prepared myself for an emotional assault linked to memories of losing my mother to that dreaded ‘C’ word. Lana’s Lovely Lady Lump's stole the start of the show as she eased us out of the initial surprise and into an easy comfortable feeling with expert jokes around getting her boobs out this early in the show. She is patient, inclusive and bursting with a vivaciousness that is<img src="http://static.wixstatic.com/media/5ba003_e2aa0b6089a64f2abb13cdecca744c61%7Emv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_626%2Ch_270/5ba003_e2aa0b6089a64f2abb13cdecca744c61%7Emv2.jpg"/>]]></description><link>http://www.capitalcomedy.co.nz/single-post/2016/02/27/Lovely-Lady-Lumps---Lana-Schwarcz</link><guid>http://www.capitalcomedy.co.nz/single-post/2016/02/27/Lovely-Lady-Lumps---Lana-Schwarcz</guid><pubDate>Fri, 26 Feb 2016 21:34:00 +0000</pubDate><content:encoded><![CDATA[<div><img src="http://static.wixstatic.com/media/5ba003_e2aa0b6089a64f2abb13cdecca744c61~mv2.jpg"/><div>Having read that the show Lovely Lady Lump was about comedian Lana Schwarcz’s experiences with early detected cancer, I prepared myself for an emotional assault linked to memories of losing my mother to that dreaded ‘C’ word. </div><div> Lana’s Lovely Lady Lump's stole the start of the show as she eased us out of the initial surprise and into an easy comfortable feeling with expert jokes around getting her boobs out this early in the show. She is patient, inclusive and bursting with a vivaciousness that is mesmerising and, frankly for me, very unexpected. I think having known she had been through cancer I expected to find her frail and beaten but not so! Lana is a delight as she bounces around the stage.</div><div>The show is a veritable feast for the senses as we are privy to the darkest moments through images, graphic reenactments, song and dance. It is a cleverly built show that never fails to surprise, and the use of technology enhances the show to another level. As she takes us through her ‘journey’ we find ourselves on the emotional Rollercoaster alongside her, I know I laughed in loud peals at the massage scene, cried in the moments she reveals how black she felt, and felt every emotion in between as she wove her story into our minds and hearts. </div><div>Her fighting spirit shines through every moment of the show and you find yourself filled with a deep respect and admiration for a courageous lady. A lady who not only battled through one of the hardest treatments a body can endure, but kept her sense of humour intact, and who now is intent on sharing her sailboat with us. I was surprised to find myself walking out of the theatre feeling nostalgic, floating in my own memories but surprisingly buoyant. Perhaps Lana’s boat bears me across the sea of s*#* (her words) still. </div><div>Fellow cancer haters, those who have lost loved ones, those who support/ed a loved one, survivors, sufferers, hospital workers, breast screeners, Pink Ribbon workers and those who lives have never been touched... please go to this. I laughed and cried and remembered. It was beautiful, hilarious, entertaining, heartbreaking and raw with honesty and emotion. Amazing. Please get a ticket from tomorrow night through to the 26th.</div><div>Award winning comic performer Lana Schwarcz based on her show Lovely Lady Lump on her blog written during her journey. You can read it here:http://schwarczie.weebly.com</div><div>Warnings: Nudity and Explicit language in this show, but go anyway because f*#k cancer.</div></div>]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>A Tension to Detail - Gerard Harris</title><description><![CDATA[A Tension to Detail begins with our storyteller for the night, Gerard Harris, informing us about what we will hear. There’s warnings of mature and immature content, and also that while he confesses a gullible nature, believing everything he is told, we should be careful to trust the story and not the teller. It will be a show about storytelling, as much of a show about his own stories, and indeed the stories start from the beginning as we are led through his life from birth. We plumb the depths<img src="http://static.wixstatic.com/media/5ba003_0673f47fdda04c23816b0855bc9675a2%7Emv2.jpg"/>]]></description><link>http://www.capitalcomedy.co.nz/single-post/2016/02/22/A-Tension-to-Detail---Gerard-Harris</link><guid>http://www.capitalcomedy.co.nz/single-post/2016/02/22/A-Tension-to-Detail---Gerard-Harris</guid><pubDate>Sun, 21 Feb 2016 21:36:00 +0000</pubDate><content:encoded><![CDATA[<div><img src="http://static.wixstatic.com/media/5ba003_0673f47fdda04c23816b0855bc9675a2~mv2.jpg"/><div>A Tension to Detail begins with our storyteller for the night, Gerard Harris, informing us about what we will hear. There’s warnings of mature and immature content, and also that while he confesses a gullible nature, believing everything he is told, we should be careful to trust the story and not the teller.</div><div> It will be a show about storytelling, as much of a show about his own stories, and indeed the stories start from the beginning as we are led through his life from birth. </div><div>We plumb the depths of awkward childhood crushes, sexually experimental teenage years, and adult confusion in dating. The darkness of the topics are explored with the lightest of touches and we find ourselves laughing in unexpected places. He wills us to traverse the surreal with him, and as we follow his voice deeper into his journey it enthralls and captures the imagination with images of green pulsating hearts and gives the audience tingles from head to toe. It’s an expertly guided journey as Harris, ever mindful of the spiritual and the atheist spectrum in his audience, checks in with us and encourages us to suspend our beliefs and disbelief in the enjoyment of the story.</div><div>Woven through his life stories are lessons about telling our own, he warns us away from looking for meaning in everything and instead to decide what our story will be and then go out to find it. Leaving 90% of the facts out leaves you with a story and what kind of story it is depends entirely on which facts you choose to leave in. We are captured by the image of creating our own, however, I know mine certainly wouldn’t be as entertainingly full of bulldog attacks, doorknob treachery and lobster cooking moral dilemmas. </div><div>From hilarious confessions of a hopeless love life to the nearly unbelievable dramatic escapes, A Tension to Detail is a storybook ride of twists and turns. An unforgettable story told by a master craftsman. You should definitely head along, trust in the story if not the teller and settle in for the ride.</div></div>]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Capital Comedy's Blindset is a Winner!</title><description><![CDATA[Last night Wellington Comedy Awards The Wellies 2015 were held. It was a fabulous evening of decadence and excitement for another year of comedy holding it's own against the other entertainment forms in Wellington. This year was exciting as we stood in Wellington's dedicated Comedy Club VK's Comedy Bar to celebrate this Awards. Sanjay and I (Julz) were in attendance but weren't expecting a win. We were happy to have been nominated for two categories and thanked everyone for thinking of us when<img src="http://static.wixstatic.com/media/5ba003_1fa442ab5e834559a01301cd4c583d6c%7Emv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_626%2Ch_470/5ba003_1fa442ab5e834559a01301cd4c583d6c%7Emv2.jpg"/>]]></description><link>http://www.capitalcomedy.co.nz/single-post/2016/10/21/Capital-Comedys-Blindset-is-a-Winner</link><guid>http://www.capitalcomedy.co.nz/single-post/2016/10/21/Capital-Comedys-Blindset-is-a-Winner</guid><pubDate>Sun, 20 Dec 2015 22:04:00 +0000</pubDate><content:encoded><![CDATA[<div><div>Last night Wellington Comedy Awards The Wellies 2015 were held. It was a fabulous evening of decadence and excitement for another year of comedy holding it's own against the other entertainment forms in Wellington. </div><div>This year was exciting as we stood in Wellington's dedicated Comedy Club VK's Comedy Bar to celebrate this Awards. </div><div>Sanjay and I (Julz) were in attendance but weren't expecting a win. We were happy to have been nominated for two categories and thanked everyone for thinking of us when they voted. </div><div>Then came the awards ceremony. There were tons of people to recognise and thank for their efforts to keep the comedy going in Wellington. Spirits were high as the award presenters performed fun acts before announcing the winners. </div><div>Capital Comedy's Blindset won the award for Best Comedy Show Concept and Julz Burgisser won the Award for Best Off Stager producer of Capital Comedy Wellington, the networking, the workshops and it's shows.</div><div>As you can imagine Sanjay and I were pretty damn stoked with the wins! Thanks to everyone for voting for us. It's so great to feel appreciated for all the hard work that we do behind the scenes. Here's to another great year! </div><img src="http://static.wixstatic.com/media/5ba003_1fa442ab5e834559a01301cd4c583d6c~mv2.jpg"/><img src="http://static.wixstatic.com/media/5ba003_87a434e4c9004824b23839d352246315~mv2.jpg"/></div>]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Home - Freya Desmarais</title><description><![CDATA[Home - Freya Desmarais Thurs 6th Aug to Sat 8th Aug, 8.30pm. BATS Theatre - StudioWalking into the studio theatre, I was greeted with a bedroom scene on the stage. Freya welcomed us in and made us feel welcome as we took our seats. It was an intimate feel, which heightened the feeling during the performance of sharing secrets and being emotionally invested in her story.What a story. Freya had been through some emotional trauma and this shoe “Home” is about how it made her feel, the journey it<img src="http://static.wixstatic.com/media/5ba003_fecc914c50f3403dbace982fb152f12d%7Emv2.jpg"/>]]></description><link>http://www.capitalcomedy.co.nz/single-post/2016/08/07/Home---Freya-Desmarais</link><guid>http://www.capitalcomedy.co.nz/single-post/2016/08/07/Home---Freya-Desmarais</guid><pubDate>Wed, 05 Aug 2015 22:08:00 +0000</pubDate><content:encoded><![CDATA[<div><img src="http://static.wixstatic.com/media/5ba003_fecc914c50f3403dbace982fb152f12d~mv2.jpg"/><div>Home - Freya Desmarais Thurs 6th Aug to Sat 8th Aug, 8.30pm. BATS Theatre - Studio</div><div>Walking into the studio theatre, I was greeted with a bedroom scene on the stage. Freya welcomed us in and made us feel welcome as we took our seats. It was an intimate feel, which heightened the feeling during the performance of sharing secrets and being emotionally invested in her story.</div><div>What a story. Freya had been through some emotional trauma and this shoe “Home” is about how it made her feel, the journey it took her on and the person she became on coming out the other side. If you are looking for a laugh a minute comedy, this is not the show for you, however I did laugh several times. The comedy achieved is more a testament to her skill in performance and her sense of comedy timing than the hilarity of her material. Her subject is much is a much darker horror, portrayed in parts with gripping realism. The painfully honest recollection of memories and conversations leaving the audience on the edge of their seats with some springing tears as the truth of her pain spoke to them.</div><div>Only to then be surprised into laughter as Freya skilfully jokes and lightens the mood with typical bedroom antics. Always aware of her audience emotions, she has crafted a show which not only laughs at life but tells the darkest truths. Encouraging us at the end to look to our own futures without such high expectations about what should be or could be, but to simply explore and see.</div><div>Taking us through her loss and pain with dance, song, clever use of light and silence; you are rubbed emotionally raw by the force of her memories and made to laugh uproariously with her dark humour. She really opens herself for inspection as she discusses real issues; such as gender confusion, homosexuality and depression, alongside her title revealing suicide contemplation. Her comedian background is clear when she speaks directly to her audience, encouraging them to laugh. However, her theatrical talent shines in many of the emotionally challenging scenes and I was swept up by the intense emotion portrayed.</div><div>Freya Desmarais is an incredibly talented, energetic and naturally funny performer. With “Home’ she has created a work, full of light and hope despite the desperation and difficulties of her life. I left the theatre feeling inspired and in awe. She would no doubt dislike the term 'Brave' but it fits nonetheless.</div><div>“Home” is on at BATS Theatre at 8.30pm until Saturday the 8th and I highly recommend you go see it. </div></div>]]></content:encoded></item></channel></rss>