One night stand, with people watching. . .

Two Gisbornites and a Scotsman walk into a bar: Stand up comedian Gary Sansome will be joined by Richard Dryden and The Man Simply Known as Bob, plus support acts, bringing the laughs to Evolution Theatre. Picture supplied

Comedy night returns on Saturday with Gisborne expats and a stranded Scotsman. Hosted by former Gisborne radio DJ, Richard Dryden, A One Night Stand aims to pack Evolution Theatre to the rafters with laughter.

Dryden spent two years working for The Hits as their breakfast announcer and he never passes up a chance to return to the East Coast. Having begun comedy two years ago, he has had a level of success that most other newbies would love to have. He was a Raw Comedy Quest find in his first year and this year has performed several professional shows, including his first festival line-up.

Speaking about real experiences such as being newly married, raising step-daughters and health issues he’s faced (including cancer), Dryden’s humour has won him fans across the Manawatu where he is based now.

“I lost half my tongue and then a year later I also lost my thyroid to cancer,” he says.

“It severely altered my speech and knocked my confidence for six as my voice was basically my tool for my line of work. I was told my presenting days were over, but I wanted to go out and show I could still do it.”

The show also features former Gisborne man, The Man Simply Known as Bob (Christopher Tombleson) who will perform his first gig in his home town. Now based in Wellington, The Man Simply Known as Bob is one of the heavy hitters in the Capital’s scene, not only as a performer but also as a producer as well with Cartel Comedy.

Headlining the show is Scottish comedian Gary Sansome, who has been stranded in New Zealand since the beginning of the Covid-19 pandemic and isn’t in a rush to return home.

Sansome has performed across the globe at some of the biggest Comedy Clubs in the UK, Ireland, North America, Australia and Mainland Europe. His sold-out Edinburgh debut show Bald Man Sings Rihanna received audience and critical praise, including a five-star review from Bunbury Magazine.

Support acts for the show include Karen Leslie from Napier and Ben “Tito” Caldwell from Feilding.