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It’s the third and final week of the NZ International Comedy Festival and we’re going out with a bang. Our comedy lineup is serving the goods ’til the very end.
Sheppards Food Truck is still rolling in hot! Catch them outside Basement from 5:30pm ‘til late, Tuesday to Saturday, perfect for pre-show snacks or a post-show debrief.
Don’t miss your last chance to catch the Comedy Fest madness at Basement.
Mā te wā,
Basement Theatre x
Lesa MacLeod-Whiting: Rebellina
20 – 24 May, 8.30pm. Studio. Rebellina [noun] cheeky lil rebel.
- Sponsor Promotion -
Determined to impress and positively influence her strong-willed daughter, Lesa MacLeod-Whiting is a Rebellina with a cause. From her literal baptism in a hot tub (while wearing Canterbury pants, thank you very much) to taking on tailgaters, this is a jam-packed hour full of characters, niche references and live wire tales of small acts of rebellion as Lesa learns to stand up for herself. “She owns her stage” – Stuff.co.nz Directed by Zach Mandeville.
Billy T Award Nominee, 2025 NZ International Comedy Festival
Hoani Hotene: It’s Getting Hot-ene, So Tell Me All Your Jokes
20 – 24 May, 8pm. Theatre. The world’s heating up, going wild, and Hoani Hotene is trying to get through it all with what…? Jokes Yep. Asking the big questions like ‘how do you become a better person?’ and ‘why does everyone pick on gingers?’. Hoani brings his personal style of comedy in a show about finding your place and getting by in a crazy world. See one of Aotearoa’s best up-and-coming comedians talk about ‘What Now?’ at his kura kaupapa, trying to grow up at 30, and honestly a bunch of other good stuff.
Billy T Award Nominee, 2025 NZ International Comedy Festival
WINNER- Breakthrough Comic, NZ Comedy Guild Awards 2024
Barnie Duncan: Ooky Pooky
20 – 24 May, 6.30pm. Theatre. Last year, Barnie and his best friend Trygve won the Fred Award for their office-based docu-drama Different Party. This year, Barnie is back with himself and a brand new show designed to create a volcano of laughter within your body that will erupt out of your face with the force of a thousand sparrows. Expect to experience Barnie blending the physical with the cerebral in profoundly stupid ways. Topics include soup, Russell Brand and dust.
WINNER – Fred Award for Best Show, NZ International Comedy Festival 2024
WINNER – Best Performer, Whangārei Fringe Festival 2022
WINNER – Best Comedy, Adelaide Fringe Festival 2018
Booth the Clowm Jak Darling: Delightfool
20 – 24 May, 7pm. Studio. Booth the Clown and Jak Darling are DELIGHTFOOL! This campy comedy duo come together in holy(ish) matrimony to showcase their silly, joyous, and unapologetically queer cabaret.
This top notch showcase features a series of acts including stand-up, mime, theatre, clown, musical comedy, magic, and… emus? However, things go awry when a storm disrupts the show – forcing our two heroes to look beyond their sparkling surfaces and tackle their internal turbulence.
Billy T Award Nominee, 2025 NZ International Comedy Festival
WINNER – Auckland Tour Ready Award, NZ Fringe 2024
WINNER – Dunedin Tour Ready Award, Auckland Fringe 2024
WINNER – Outstanding Theatre, Auckland Fringe 2024
WINNER – Outstanding Performance, Auckland Fringe 2024
Elouise Eftos: Australia’s First Attractive Comedian
21 – 24 May, 9.45pm. Studio. Winner Director’s Choice 2024 Sydney Comedy Festival
You’ve had a lifetime of lame anecdotes from all the average-looking comedians, but the reviews are in – self-deprecation is dead! It’s time to hear from Australia’s First Attractive Comedian.
Hot girls aren’t supposed to be funny, but Elouise Eftos is. Some people may think it’s a blessing, but she’s here to tell you that being cute comes at a cost. Like all Australian pioneers, Elouise leads you on a journey through the unchartered territory of hotness in comedy.
Elouise bridges the thigh gap between serving good jokes and giving good face. Australia’s First Attractive Comedian is a raucous romp through the life of a quadruple threat, tackling outdated feminism and disgusting men through stand-up, extensive dance training, a trained singing voice and professional acting (you’re welcome). You think it’s hard being funny? Try being smart and good looking on top of that.
After sold out seasons and standing ovations across Australia in 2024, join Elouise for a very special return season of her award-winning hour of comedy as she subverts the meaning of feminism, attractiveness and owning yourself in a world that tells you to hate yourself to be funny.
‘Meta feminist comedy, so meta & so feminist, you probably wouldn’t get it” – Abbie Chatfield
‘She’s the future superstar.’ ★★★★ Chortle (UK)
‘Elouise Eftos is a comedic force to be reckoned with.’ ★★★★ Louder Mag
‘Empowered, confident, sassy, smart, funny, relevant, sexy – Elouise Eftos has it all… Six stars and a big f you to patriarchy for this show.’ Stage Whispers
Tom Cashman: 2 Truths, 1 Lie & 17 Slight Exaggerations
22 – 24 May, 9.30pm. Theatre. Tom Cashman is flying to New Zealand as we speak, with a new hour of stand up that may or may not include the secret to happiness. You might know Tom from TikTok, you might know him from Taskmaster Australia, or you might be grappling with the idea of him for the first time right now as you read this. It’s pointless to continue guessing your mental state. But if you like the mental state of laughing, you won’t miss this show.
Bull Rush and Friends
23 May, 10.45pm. Theatre.As seen in their award-winning regular show every Friday at Basement Theatre. Expect new games played, new stories told, and new music made up on the spot each week. With a roster of Tāmaki Makaurau’s most talented, award-winning performers, it’s always sure to be a riot when you rush with the Bulls!
Itay Dom: Crowd Pleaser
24 May, 10.45pm. Theatre.Always wanted to chat to your favourite comedians? Now you can! After a SOLD OUT run in the 2024 New Zealand International Comedy Festival, CROWD PLEASER is back! Watch the funniest comedians improvise and riff based on your suggestions! Witness as they pull punchlines out of thin air and wow you with their off-the-cuff wit. Just don’t forget to pick up your jaw from the floor on your way out. Hosted by Itay Dom (Guy Mont-Spelling Bee, The Bachelorette).
SNART
03 – 07 June, 6.30pm. Studio. Choose What You Pay.Dear Snart,
I have decided to make a show about a slice of your life, despite the controversies. I’m going to be playing you as you sort of go about the stuff with Bonker… that self-portrait you fell in love with, if you remember. We’re gonna have them projected on-stage as like a live animation type thing. It’s kinda just gonna follow you being a bitch for an hour or so. I don’t know. We’ll see.
How can I support Basement Theatre? Donations help us keep advocating for artists. Becoming a Basement Lover or a Basement Mate is the best way you can continually support us – and you get some bonus treats too!
