Chatterbox: Ben Elton better than ever

After nine years away from the stand-up stage, Ben Elton is back and touring New Zealand in July. Elton's books and TV programmes have dominated his profile in recent years, so people may be inclined to forget that he's also a very funny man on stage. During his last tour here in 1997 he played nine sell-out shows, including six in Auckland. Elton made a name for himself in his early 20s when he co-wrote The Young Ones. Then came Blackadder, followed by novels that included Stark and Popcorn. In July he performs a new stand-up routine, Get A Grip. He says it has some great gags that the Brits loved plus some up-to-the-minute Kiwi material and an obligatory bash "at those Aussie bastards". Ben Elton plays the Michael Fowler Centre in Wellington, July 15; Christchurch Town Hall, July 17, and ASB Theatre in Auckland, July 18.

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Holy role

Keisha Castle Hughes, the Oscar-nominated Whale Rider star, is preparing to play the Virgin Mary in the film, Nativity. Christianitytoday.com calls it is one of the most eagerly anticipated films of the year (it's out at Christmas). Directed by Thirteen's Catherine Hardwicke, the film will cover the lives of Mary and Joseph before and throughout the birth of Christ, showing how their faith, love and beliefs are tested. The script covers their journey from Nazareth to Bethlehem, and includes King Herod and the Three Wise Men. Filming started this month in Italy, before heading to Morocco.

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Big day on the mic

Instrument retailer Musicworks is running instore performances at its chain of shops throughout May for NZ Music Month. Next Saturday it will hold what it's calling the biggest open-mic show in local music history. To be part of the day, go to www.musicworks.co.nz to find out where your nearest outlet is. The same day, Blindspott guitarist Brandon Reihana will be at the chain's Hobson St store. Reihana has just been added to the worldwide endorsee list for Ibanez guitars - a first for a local artist. Plus, the Auckland School of Rock (for 8- to 18-year-olds) also starts up that day.

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Diesel gears up

He was born Mark Lizotte. You can call him Diesel. Yes, the man who brought us hits like Tip Of My Tongue is heading here early next month. He'll be playing songs from his soon-to-be released album Coathanger Antennae at the Leigh Sawmill Cafe on June 2 and Tabac on June 3. Two American punk rock bands also arrive next month. Five-piece Death By Stereo play at Bodega, Wellington, June 1; Upset Records, Hamilton, June 2 (all ages); and Kings Arms, Auckland, June 3. They do an all-ages show on June 4 at 4:20 in Auckland. Strung Out play the Kings Arms, June 30, and Indigo in Wellington on July 1.

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Daily Show name check

The Daily Show's Jon Stewart must know he now has New Zealand viewers.
During the show on Tuesday night (C4, 10.05pm) he talked about the Tasmanian miners and said how funny it was that Americans had to go so far to find a "happy story". Then he said, "Come on New Zealand, it's your turn next." But, he stressed, he didn't want one about Lord of the Rings.

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Take some time out for movies

Put on your Brokeback shirt and saddle up - the Out Takes Reel Queer Film Festival is comin' round the mountain. The Auckland section of the annual event opens at SkyCity on Thursday with Queens, a comedy about a group of mothers whose gay sons are about to get married in a mass same-sex wedding. Organisers recommend Boy Culture, about a rent-boy and his flatmates; Loggerheads, the story of a young drifter's relationships; Unveiled, a drama about an Iranian refugee forced to pose as a man; and Loving Annabelle, a hit in Melbourne. The festival runs from May 25 to June 5. More info at www.outtakes.org.nz