The event is about having fun, getting together, and having a good laugh in an inclusive environment. Photo / Getty Images
A special kind of gig is happening next weekend. Something slightly out of the ordinary.
NZSL Club Trust is hosting a stand-up comedy night, and if the early promo is anything to go by, it’s not going to be your average, safe, sit politely and chuckle kind of evening.
We’ve already heard a bit about what’s coming.
Last month, Troy Robertson (who, like me, has cerebral palsy) made his debut at Beer and Loathing with a set titled “I’m a spaz, AMA (ask me anything)”.
The name itself is an example of reclaiming language, taking a word that’s been used to harm and flipping its power. I’ll admit, it’s still a bit of a toe-curler for me, but hey, he’s taking it back.
I didn’t make it along myself, but the feedback was consistent. It was bold, uncomfortable at times and very funny. The kind of set that makes you laugh, then pause, then laugh again.
That’s the thing about this kind of comedy.
It doesn’t sit quietly. It pushes a bit.
The promo for this upcoming night is already hinting at that same energy, asking questions most people would not normally say out loud, let alone put on a stage.
It is probably fair to say this one leans into R18 territory, despite the R16 ticket sales.
And that creates an interesting tension.
This is also an inclusive event, one where sign language interpreters are part of the experience, not an afterthought.
Interpreting comedy like this in real time comes with its own challenges. It asks interpreters to step into content that can be provocative, awkward and sometimes right on the edge of what feels comfortable.
That discomfort is real. But maybe it is also part of the point. Inclusion is not always neat or easy.
Sometimes it means sitting in spaces that feel unfamiliar, translating ideas that do not fit perfectly and navigating moments where there is no clear script, while still showing up.
That is what makes this more than just a fundraiser.
The funds raised will go towards creating more opportunities for people to learn New Zealand sign language. More classes, more access and more chances for people to connect with the deaf community in a meaningful way.
Language is a huge part of inclusion. Not just in how we communicate, but in the power of words. It shapes who is included, who is left out and what happens when we start to understand each other.
Underneath the shock value and the punchlines, there is something more going on. When people with lived experience get on stage and tell their own stories in their own way, something shifts.
It moves disability out of the “serious conversation only” box and into everyday life, where it belongs.
Humour is one of the fastest ways to get there. Not the polite kind, but the real kind that catches you off guard and drops your guard with it.
For many people in the disability community, humour is not just entertainment. It is survival.
It is how you deal with awkward questions, assumptions and moments where things do not quite fit. It is how you take something heavy and make it lighter.
Sometimes it is about learning to laugh at yourself. Not in a way that diminishes you, but in a way that gives you control. When you can laugh at something, it loses its grip on you.
Events like this create connection.
As Kim Robinson, operations manager and NZSL teacher at the NZSL Club Trust, explains, the purpose of the night is about having fun, getting together and having a good laugh in an inclusive environment.
With over half of the comedians bringing lived experience of disability, he describes the lineup as a “mismatch, pick-a-part team”.
It is also about giving disabled people a platform to share their sense of humour, while encouraging people to take the next step, with new NZSL courses starting on May 12 and registrations open at www.nzsl.club.
So come along for the comedy. Come for the outrageous questions, the unexpected punchlines, and the moments that make you think, “did they really just say that?”
But stay for what it represents. This is not just a comedy night. It is a glimpse of what inclusion can look like when it is done properly. Messy, honest, a little bit uncomfortable and genuinely human.
A sign of things to come. And yes, that pun was fully intended.
The NZSL Club Trust Comedy Fundraiser takes place next Sunday, May 3 at ONEONESIX, Bank St. Doors open at 5.45pm for a 6pm show finishing at 8.30pm.
A babysitting room will be available ($15), with door prizes, raffles and more. Tickets are $45 via Eventfinda.