spinofflive
billytheader

ComedyMarch 3, 2017

A yellow towel is on the line: Meet the Billy T Award nominees

billytheader

Natasha Hoyland gets to know the Billy T nominees ahead of their showcase at Q Theatre tonight.

To be in the running for the biggest and most prestigious prize in New Zealand comedy, budding comedians are required to pitch their show ideas to a panel of industry judges and perform in an applicants showcase.

The competition is fierce and the showcase is full of names both familiar and completely new to the industry. Based on both their show concept and their performance at the showcase, the competitors are whittled down to five. Think Dragon’s Den meets The Bachelor.

Patch Lambert, Li’i Alaimoana, Paul Williams, Ray O’Leary and Angella Dravid have all survived that process and are now in the running for that infamous yellow towel, the Billy T Award. The award recognises, encourages, and rewards up and coming local comedic talent. Past recipients include Rose Matafeo, Guy Williams, Rhys Mathewson and last year’s David Correos.

Tonight’s Billy T Jams gives audiences an exclusive first look at the nominees, before they premiere their solo hours during the comedy festival.

I had a chat to the nominees about who they really are, where they get their inspiration from, and what their shows are about.

Patch Lambert

Patch Lambert

How would you describe yourself and your style of comedy?

I’m a slightly bogan-ish dude who’s got a pretty standard outlook on life. My style is storytelling, very honest storytelling.

How and when did you get into stand-up?

I first started in 2013. I walked into an open-mic night, Raw Meat Monday, down here in Wellington. I went along and did that, and I kept going back.

Were you nervous?

I was real nervous. It was the last open-mic of the year, so all the regular people were there and they were really drunk, so they just heckled the shit out of me. You go in there and think you’re going to be instantly funny and everybody is going to be blown away by you your first night, and you go, oh no this is hard.

Tell us a bit about your comedy festival show!

It’s called Terrordactyl because it’s about the time I was seven years old and I thought there was a pterodactyl living the spare room of our house. I thought that would be a good narrative to branch in and out of. It was originally called Character Building because it’s about the tough stuff you’ve gone through, but nobody’s going to see a show called Character Building so I changed the title. It deals with stuff like, when I was a kid I went through lots of surgeries, and that’s something I’ve always wanted to write about and make funny, and I know it affected my mum, dad, and my brother and sisters, so I wanted to write that story as well. I just became a dad myself last year, so wanted to also talk about how it’s affected my life and how it’s changed me. All wrapped up in a story about a pterodactyl.

Out of all the other nominees, who do you want to beat the most?

Grudge match is it? I can’t say Li’i – I’d like to say Li’i because he’s the only Wellingtonian now that Ray’s buggered off to Auckland, but he’s too nice, he’s such a lovely guy. I guess Ray for being nominated for his first year of doing comedy. Is there a right answer to that question?

Li’i Alaimoana

Li’i Alaimoana

How would you describe yourself and your style of comedy?

I’m a musical comedian, Pacific Islander born and raised, a lot of my comedy is influenced by comedians mainly from overseas, growing up when I was younger. I like to involve the audience as much as I can, whether that’s through music or comedy, I like getting to know them. I’m a really outgoing sort of person and would describe my comedy as observational yet personal.

How and when did you get into stand-up?

I’ve always wanted to do it. I started watching comedy from a really young age, I was seven when I saw my first comedy show on TV. It wasn’t until 2010 that I thought I’d give it a go, I did it for a couple of months but then I had to move overseas to Canada. When we got back in 2015, that’s when I decided to take it more seriously.

I entered the Raw Comedy quest, where I made the semi-finals. I was still learning, and there’s a lot I had to learn with time and craft because I was fairly new to it. It’s been under two years, pretty much, just going solid in comedy.

Tell us a bit about your comedy festival show, Minority Rapport.

So Minority Rapport is basically me growing up in Wellington city, and the show starts from there. I touch on my personal growth, going through all kinds of things, going through college, wanting to be a professional rugby player, injuring myself, going through life still with that Samoan background, with the teaching and stuff of my parents and how I grew up being able to apply it to the present day living situations that I’d come across. It’s basically a journey through humble beginnings, growing up Polynesian, growing up in New Zealand and trying to fit into the New Zealand lifestyle, all the way through to where I am today, married with seven kids.

Out of the Billy T nominees, who do you want to beat the most?

In all honesty, I want to beat myself. I want to beat the Li’i that got me there in the first place, I want to go out and do way better than he did. The reason why I say that is, I’ve been in touch with everyone and I’ve seen mostly everyone, I haven’t seen Angella or Paul but I’ve heard great things. If I lose, I’m not really fussed because everyone’s amazing.

I want to beat myself, the Li’i that got me there in the first place. I want to do way better than I did at the applicant’s showcase.

Paul Williams

Paul Williams

How and when did you get into stand up?

My mum had Jerry Seinfeld’s I’m Telling You For The Last Time on tape in her Toyota Previa. She only had 2 other tapes so we all basically knew the full 72 minutes off by heart. My brother then got really into stand up when he left for Uni. He came back to Nelson in the holidays and introduced me to Flight of the Conchords, David O’Doherty, Demetri Martin etc.

What was your first gig like?

My first gig was a Raw Monday at Fringe Bar when I was at Uni in Wellington. It went surprisingly well. I was on such a high afterwards I walked down to Burger King and got a celebratory Hershey’s Chocolate Pie and ate it on a bench on Courtenay Place.

Tell us a bit about your comedy festival show Summertime Love.

It’s the best show in the festival. I understand that comedy is subjective and I haven’t seen any of the other shows but I’ve just got a real good feeling about it.

How did you decide on the show’s title?

It’s a lyric from the 1987 mild hit ‘Boys (Summertime Love)’ by Italian singer Sabrina, from her debut album Sabrina.

Who do you want to beat the most?

Maybe Patch? I accidentally kicked his drink over at the application showcase so I feel like we have beef now.

Ray O’Leary

Ray O’Leary

When did you get into stand-up comedy?

I always wanted to do it, I remember being thirteen and really wanting to do it, and I can even remember some vague idea of the jokes I wanted to, but the first gig I did was in August 2015. I remember a guy before I started said, “You’re probably going to bomb.” And then right afterwards he said, “You’re probably the best new person I’ve ever seen.” Which was very nice, but I’d already expected I was going to bomb. I expected to be terrible for a long long time, but luckily that hasn’t happened, I don’t think!

How did you feel before your first gig? Were you nervous?

I’m nervous before every gig! It’s a terrifying feeling – I think humans are really sort of… stake my reputation and stuff, going in front of a whole room of strangers and making them laugh, could be a huge blow to your reputation. It’s very abnormal what comedians do.

It’s not normal to stand up in front of a whole bunch of people you’ve never met before and make them laugh – but it’s very high risk/high reward when you make it happen, that feeling is very good. It’s great to be standing them for people to finish laughing so you can start talking.

What is your comedy festival show about?

A Pessimist’s Guide to Optimism is a show that I’m forced to do by being a Billy T nominee. It’s going to be an hour of my ramblings, about the world, various things that I’m obsessed about, it’s going to be a very very philosophical, I think, and maybe target some big issues in the world like criminal justice and stuff, but also some minor things like the time my mum made it sound like she talked to a dog. I think my philosophy degree, I spent like five years of my life studying that, and I think it did a real number of me, so it’ll be me unleashing all the weird opinions I’ve gotten because I’ve spent all that time thinking.

Who do you want to beat the most?

Who do I want to beat the most? Can I say none because I think they’re all better than me?

Angella Dravid

Angella Dravid

How would you describe yourself to people who may not know who you are?

I probably wouldn’t describe myself to people who didn’t know me; unless I was dating or applying for a job. I’ve often heard people describe me as “the silent moments in The Office”.

How and when did you get into stand up?

My previous boss told me I made people uncomfortable in client meetings.  I purely did stand up as a way to get better at my day job.  I am still teetering on the edge of getting fired from my day job.  Steve, if you’re reading this, don’t.

Tell us a bit about your comedy festival show Down the Rabbit Hole.

It’ll be about my life in the UK, starting with how I ran away from Australia 14 years ago to meet a mysterious man from a chat room.  If you like comedy confronting, surprising, dark, and intriguing, I think you’ll enjoy it.

How did you decide on the show’s title? 

I was describing it to someone who said “you kinda look like Alice in Wonderland and your show’s like going down the rabbit hole”

What was your first gig like? 

I read poems from a book and avoided the audience the whole time.  People laughed.  I tried it out at a client meeting the next day and bombed.

Who do you want to beat the most? 

In order from most to least:  Paul.  Paul’s a goddamn national treasure.

A limited number of tickets are still available for Billy T Jams tonight at Q Theatre, 8pm.

Keep going!
comedyfestivalpicks

ComedyMarch 2, 2017

The NZ International Comedy Festival programme is out and these are our hot takes

comedyfestivalpicks

Spinoff Comedy editors Natasha Hoyland and Sam Brooks flick through the hot-off-the-presses NZ International Comedy Festival programme and give their expert kneejerk opinions on what you should go to this year.

Natasha’s top picks:

Aunty Donna – Big Boys

The infamous Australian sketch group that do weird, insane, things. There’s basically nothing much else to them. Whether you’re a fan of their amazing YouTube sketches or not, their live shows are so surreal that you’ll leave the theatre thinking that you’ve just woken up from a crazy dream. I would rather die than miss this show.

Daniel Sloss – So?

There’s heaps about Daniel Sloss that fascinates me. I went into his comedy festival show last year not knowing who he was, and I felt like from that show alone I learned quite a lot of (dark) things about him. I don’t know how he does it, but he has a way of turning some of the bleakest, darkest ideas into hilarious well-crafted jokes.

Parker & Sainsbury – D.O.C.ing

The team behind hit show from last year’s festival Camping are back again with a brand new show about Department of Conservation workers trying to rehome a brown spotted kiwi. Parker & Sainsbury combine utter chaos with characters that you’ll look at and say “I know someone who’s exactly like that!” If Camping was anything to go by, this show is one not to be missed.

Dialogue: Identity

This is a show I’m really intrigued by. Dialogue premiere on Mother’s Day in last year’s festival, curated by Michele A’Court with the theme Mum’s the Word. This year with Jackie van Beek, the theme is identity. With such a broad topic that could be taken in a range of directions, I’m excited to see who’s on the line up and see how they interpret the theme.

Dope Joke Party

If you’re looking for madness and a mix of the best local and international comedians, this is the show for you. The last time I went to one of these I saw James Acaster give someone a lap dance. Do I need to say more?

Paul Williams (left), Brynley Stent (right)

Natasha’s things to see:

If you want to fall in love:

Paul WilliamsSummertime Love

Paul is one hell of an attractive and insanely talented dude. I first fell in love with him after seeing his music video for his song ‘Sentinel Beach’. Then again onstage with Rose Matafeo in Finally Dead a few years ago. Then AGAIN when I saw him open for his brother Guy during the comedy festival a few years ago and proved his comedic talent, talking about pirate treasure map etiquette. By bringing a hilarious and different approach to comedy as a 2017 Billy T Nominee, I think he’s a strong contender.

If you are obsessed with religions, cults, and more specifically Gloriavale:

Brynley StentEscape From Gloriavale

Brynley is a national treasure and creates some of the most amazing characters I’ve ever seen in my life as seen in Camping, Snort, and hit show Funny Girls. I’m obsessed with Gloriavale, so I’ve been shaking in anticipation ever since I heard about this show. I’m so blessed, words can’t describe my thankfulness.

If you want to see some hilarious magic:

Jarred FellHack

I usually hate magicians and magic shows, but Jarred Fell does some seriously impressive stuff, and in a non-boring way which is a huge bonus! Not only does he do tricks, his sets are almost always packed to the brim with hilarious jokes and sexual innuendo. Fun for the whole family!

If you want to see some of the best sketch comedy you’ll ever see:

Frickin Dangerous BroMoney In The Bank

Individually, Jamaine Ross, James Roque and Pax Assadi have all had successful and hilarious comedy festival seasons. But together, they are something else entirely. Watching them on stage is such a joy because you can genuinely see how happy they are. They’re just a bunch of mates having fun, and their sketches are so funny that you’ll often catch them trying really hard not to laugh.

If you’re a little bitch, like me:

Becky LucasLittle Bitch

One of the most memorable shows I saw in the comedy festival last year was Breakout Comedy, a showcase of upcoming Australian comics. It was such a great line up featuring Gen Fricker, Rhys Nicholson, Ray Badran, and Becky Lucas. Becky Lucas was the real standout for me, hilarious, real, and absolutely relatable. Fantastic Twitter account too!

Disclaimer: Natasha Hoyland is the producer of Frickin Dangerous Bro

The Bitches Box (left), Angella Dravid (right)

Sam’s top picks

The Bitches’ Box

The Bitches’ Box has travelled around the entire country, to places you haven’t heard of outside of the weather report on the news, and sold out pretty consistently wherever and whenever it’s toured, including a hit run in every comedian’s favourite money-hole the Edinburgh Fringe Festival. Two actresses (Emma Newborn and Amelia Guild) play two dogs. They’re real good actresses, and also some theatre in your Comedy Festival diet couldn’t hurt.

Angella Dravid – Down The Rabbit Hole

Honestly, the funniest thing I’ve ever seen on a stage in this country was in Thomas Sainsbury’s The Shittest Theatre You Will Ever See: Angella Dravid walking a bicycle slowly across The Basement Theatre stage with a miner’s helmet on her head. I’ve seen Dravid at lineup shows since, and she stands out not only for her Twin Peaks-meets-mumblecore style of comedy, but for her killer punchlines and rapport with the audience. You’ve never seen anything like Dravid and you never will, until you actually see her.

Sarah Harpur – Dead Dads Club

Dead Dads Club is the recepient of one of this years’ Creative Comedy Initiative Grants, which has given us smash hit shows like Rose Matafeo’s Finally Dead, Chris Parker’s No More Dancing in the Good Room and Jonny Brugh and Jackie van Beek’s Flashdunce, so whatever this show ends up being, it promises to be something developed, thought through and has had some proper money thrown at it!

Tessa Waters – Over Promises

I saw Tessa Waters at a 2PM show in the Edinburgh Fringe Festival; she threw something at me and pretended it was a baby, and she moved her face in ways that human beings shouldn’t be allowed to move their faces. If you’re into the stuff that Trygve Wakenshaw (Squidboy, Kraken) does and are craving some good old-fashioned clowning, and why wouldn’t you be, then Tessa Waters should be your first outing.

Justine Smith – An Hour Roughly

Justine Smith is the best we’ve got. You’ve seen her on TV. You’ve seen her TradeMe ads. She’s been around longer than you have and she’s been killing it. She’s won basically every Comedy award out there, and deservedly so. Each year she comes back with a show and low-key sells it out and kills it. She’s not only reliable, she’s reliably excellent. Do yourself a favour and see her.

James Nokise (left), The Fan Brigade (right)

Sam’s things to see:

If You See One Straight White Dude Show, See This One:

Brendan Kelly – Caveman

I saw Brendan Kelly as part of a two person show last year, and the dolphin story he told was a perfectly structured, so left-of-field-he’s-in-the-parking-lot kind of joke that makes me want to see what he can do with an hour. You guys won’t have time to get to every straight white man show, so make the one you manage to get to count! Kelly won’t disappoint.

If You Want To See A Show Solely Based on the Title/Image Combo:

Donna Brookbanks – Cat Lady-in-Waiting

Donna’s been killing it as a part of every millennial’s favourite improv troupe Snort for the better part of four years now, so you should jump at the chance to see her hourlong show. You can’t go wrong with a Grey Gardens-meets-Grey Lynn photoshoot, and that title promises the kind of wacky, deeply lived-in character work that has Brookbanks indispensable to Snort.

If You Want A Surefire Laugh:

James Nokise – Talk A Big Game

There’s only so many ways you can say “This guy is funny can you please see their show”, but James Nokise is funny, can you please go and see his show. I’ve seen this guy do a packed out puppet version of Pulp Fiction at noon in a dingy bar in Edinburgh, I’ve seen a reading of one of this guy’s plays, and I’ve missed a whole lot of his shows because he’s from Wellington and I am not. But this guy is funny and he knows what the hell he is talking about, you can rely on him for a laugh, and rely on him to make your parents a little bit uncomfortable and confront their own opinions. Go see his show.

If You Like Musical Comedy and Comedy That is Musical:

The Fan Brigade – Don’t Ask The Fan Brigade and Laura Daniel x Joseph Moore – Two Hearts: Auckland World Tour

Musical comedy is an acquired taste, too often it’s a dude who learned how to play Wonderwall on an acoustic guitar applying lacklustre punchlines to even more lacklustre music, but these guys do it better than anybody. The Fan Brigade are two fiercely filthy ladies who know their way around their music, and know their way around their jokes even better, while Laura Daniel x Joseph Moore are seasoned professionals at musical comedy in a screen format with Jono and Ben, so the promise of them coming together for an hour of dedicated musical comedy is a huge one.

If You Want to Be Delighted and Scarred In The Same Hour:

David Correos – David Correos is Going Full Correos

David Correos was last year’s shock Billy T Winner, and an incredibly deserving one. Think Hamish Parkinson meets Rikishi; Correos is a tremendously talented clown, and a once-in-a-lifetime comedian. You haven’t seen anything like David Correos until you’ve seen Correos himself perform, and the promise of Correos going full Correos terrifies me. Bring a poncho.