Comedy Festival: It's time for a laugh

Comedian Sara Pascoe is coming here to perform as part of the International Comedy Festival line-up.

It's time to warm up your funny bones and get those stomach muscles toned and tightened, New Zealand. Some of the world's favourite comedians are on their way and they are going to test the nation's limits.

The New Zealand International Comedy Festival will kick off with what is often the event's highlight - the 2014 Old Mout Cider Comedy Gala at Auckland's Civic Theatre on April 24.

This year the show will be hosted by Jason Byrne, who returns to New Zealand after taking a year off in 2013. The cheeky Irishman spent last year branching out; writing Father Figure, a radio sitcom, which was quickly turned into a BBC television show.

But now he is back on stage, with the unique brand of high-energy, clever, craziness which has earned him the title of biggest-selling comedian at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival and award nominations galore. Just be warned though - he likes the odd bit of audience participation.

Joining Byrne on stage will be writer, stand-up comedian and actress Sara Pascoe. The Essex girl will be a familiar face to many, having appeared on television quiz shows Never Mind the Buzzcocks and QI, as well as The Thick of It and Being Human.

And carrying on the British invasion theme, is James Acaster. The young Englishman, his dry wit and stag night confessions will be a highlight for anyone who saw him perform at last year's gala opening. His solo show earned him a nomination for Best Show here, and in 2012 and 2013, he was nominated for Best Comedy Show at the Foster's Comedy Awards as part of the Edinburgh Festival. According to his website, Acaster has decided that winning things is overrated.

Carl Donnelly is making his first appearance in New Zealand this year. His pub-style banter has proven a winner for him and hopefully Kiwi audiences; the rising star was nominated for Best Show in the 2013 Edinburgh Comedy Awards.

And another first-timer to these shores is Reginald D. Hunter. The veteran American-born, UK-based comedian has sold out tour after tour around the world, but has waited until this year to make his NZICF debut. A classically-trained drama student, he did his first stand-up gig as a dare and he's still at it. Hunter has a tendency to make people uncomfortable, airing his own dirty laundry with a risque twist.

No big event is complete without a mind reader, and Ian D. Montfort manages to somehow make the psychic world hilarious. Actually the alter ego of character comic English Tom Binns, this return performance will be one to remember. Think messages from famous dead people - because nannies and grandmas are a bit dull for this connection to the afterlife.

Adding some continental flavour is Marcel Lucont, arguably New Zealand's favourite Frenchman. A man who is confident, self-assured, and some might say stuck-up, he has wowed local audiences each time he has stepped on the NZICF stage. It can all be summed up by Lucont's Twitter account biography, which reads: "currently travelling the world, charming women and mocking the stupid".

Rounding things out are two of New Zealand's best - Paul Ego and Urzila Carlson. The pair regularly perform together around the country and on 7 Days, so be assured, they will be representing New Zealand to their fullest.

More acts will be announced in the lead-up to the event, with tickets on sale through Ticketmaster and the New Zealand International Comedy Festival website.

- TimeOut