Top Irish comedian Ed Byrne is returning to Auckland in May for a five-night season at Sky City Theatre as part of the 2003 TV2 International Laugh Festival.
Byrne, who became a favourite with three consecutive sell-out Laugh Fest seasons in 1997-99, is renowned for his crisp social satire andsharp political observations. In the past two years he has been entertaining peacekeeping troops in Bosnia and the Falklands.
Fans may also be in for a double treat: last year Byrne bought the purple Telecaster guitar Prince used on his Purple Rain tour in the mid-80s.
Other early announcements for the Laugh Fest include 2002 Edinburgh Fringe Perrier Award winner Daniel Kitson, also named TimeOut live comedian of the year and a "hare-brained genius" by the Evening Standard.
Lewis Black and Jeff Stilson will provide an American perspective, with their fearless Bush-barbed "war on stupidity". Black has a segment on the US cable channel Comedy Central's Daily Show, while Emmy Award-nominee Stilson is an executive producer for The Osbournes and writes for David Letterman.
UK-based Canadians Phil Nichol and Glen Wool, Brit Andy Parsons and Arj "prince of cool" Baker from San Francisco are also on the bill.
The festival runs from April 25 to May 24 in Auckland.
