Bill Bailey coming to Hastings for Easter Saturday show

Bill Bailey will be in Hastings on April 3, 2021. Photo / Supplied

Close to 300 tickets sold in a day for legendary comedian Bill Bailey's show in Hastings next year.

"En Route To Normal" is the "Black Books" star's first international show since Covid-19 struck, with 12 stops around the country.

One of those stops is Toitoi - Hawke's Bay Arts & Events Centre, where Bailey will perform at the Opera House on Easter Saturday, April 3, 2021 at 8pm.

Toitoi presenter services commercial manager Glen Pickering said it is "very exciting" and "unexpected" that Bailey is making a stop in Hastings.

"When you think about what's happening around the world, to have someone like Bill Bailey actually coming to Hawke's Bay and doing a national tour is quite remarkable.

"It says a lot about how international performers view New Zealand and how they see us as a real destination at this time."

In the new show, Bailey ponders questions such as How did we get here? How do we find our way through this? And exactly who are we again?

The show was named before the world had heard of Covid-19, and is a mix of stories, music and history with a personal mission to find the way through these strange times.

Last in New Zealand in 2018, Bailey has frequently visited the country.

Bailey's management made contact with Toitoi to organise the venue.

Tickets went on sale 9am on Wednesday and by 9.15am gold seats had sold out, with close to 300 selling by the afternoon – a large amount to sell in a day, Pickering said.

"Our venue is the best large venue in Hawke's Bay to see comedians, everyone who has performed here or seen a comedian here knows that, so Bill Bailey will sell out."

Tickets will continue to be released incrementally with the dress circle tickets going on sale in the next couple of days.

Pickering said Toitoi is looking forward to having more international performers come through and they are currently talking to international promoters.