Comedy Festival breaks records

The NZ International Comedy Festival has broken all previous records with a national attendance of more than 118,000 people in 2009, a 50 per cent increase from audience numbers in 2008.

Under the guidance of new Festival Director, Kylie Aitchison the Festival delivered the largest attendance in its 17-year history.

“Despite a recession, the Festival has retained it’s core audience, with a higher number of shows this year extending their seasons,” says Festival Director Kylie Aitchison.

“It’s an amazing result for the NZ Comedy Trust, our comedians and our sponsors and to see the increasing attendance alongside the strength of our local performers has provided the most promising start to my tenure as Festival Director!”

Compared to figures from 2008, attendance rose by 38 per cent, from 53,172 to 73,559 (an increase of 20,387) for the Auckland season, while Wellington’s attendance figures rose from 18,939 to 31,399 (an increase of 12,460), showing a 66 per cent increase in numbers.

Attributing to these numbers are not only the popular cornerstones of the Festival, be it the ever successful Comedy Divas, at it’s new home at SKYCITY Theatre in Auckland and in Wellington, again at a new home at The Embassy Theatre, the Crunchie Comedy Gala, Last Laughs or Wellington’s Late Laughs, but also the new programmes on offer in 2009.

Best Of The Billy’s showcased the winners of the prestigious Billy T Award from the past 11 years, giving New Zealander’s a chance to celebrate the fine talent the country has to offer. Presented by Tui, Best Of The Billy’s was a sell out success in its inaugural performance.

Offering family friendly comedy, the Nickelodeon Kids Comedy Season, returned to Auckland and made its debut season in Wellington. The Festival’s strong ties with their sponsor SKYCITY Auckland helped not only light up a comedy beacon by bathing the SKY Tower in gold throughout the Festival, but also lit up the lives of children with life threatening illnesses with their support of SKYCITY Auckland Gastrocomique.

The lively SKYCITY Auckland Gastrocomique moved to the SKYCITY Auckland Convention Centre and over a three-course lunch, attendees watched Jeremy Corbett, Wilson Dixon, Mark Watson, Jeremy Elwood, Hannah Gadsby, Irene Pink and Janey Godley engage in a lively comedic debate. The event raised over $48,000 for the Make-A-Wish Foundation, double what was raised in 2008.

Chris Brain also beat out a high calibre of contestants involved in this year’s Billy T Awards – picking up not only the yellow towel synonymous with Billy T James but also a $5000 cheque. Meanwhile the irrepressible Te Radar became the fourth comedian to win the newly created FRED Award, as well as picking up Best Local Show, highlighting what a huge success his show “Te Radar’s Eating the Dog” was.

Organisers have already begun preparations for the 2010 NZ International Comedy Festival from the 23 April to 16 May 2010.