New Zealand Comedy Trust Presents
2degrees Comedy Convoy
2degrees Comedy Convoy
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Joining the 2degrees Comedy Convoy is American globe-trotter Tom Rhodes. Tom replaces Fiona O’Loughlin on the tour, who has unfortunately had to withdraw after suffering serious health issues.
Get on board – riotous and relentless, the 2degrees Comedy Convoy is back with vengeance!
This two-hour comedy showcase brings a selection of the Festival's best international & local comedy stars direct to your town, and promises to be crammed with laughs.
Leader of the pack Ewen “Westie” Gilmour plays host to a stonking line-up of: Guy Williams (Jono & Ben At Ten, 2012 Billy T Winner), Jesse Griffin (7 Days, Golden), Tom Rhodes (US), and the UK's Chris Martin*.
"…a totally awesome night, we were in tears by the end of it"
Jo Donoghue [actual person]
* This Chris Martin is not currently, nor ever has been, in Coldplay.
A little bit about the 2Degrees Comedy Convoy crew:
EWEN GILMOUR (NZ)
Ewen
classes his major achievement of 2012 as being voted New Zealand’s
Worst Dressed Man; an honour he takes seriously and hopes to make a
yearly occurrence. Join Ewen Gilmour as he talks about tattoos,
motorbikes, beer, fast cars, overseas trips, beer, cholesterol, hearing
aids, beer, glasses, prostate checks and beer. Decade Achievement Award NZ Comedy Guild (2010)
TOM RHODES (USA)
Joining the line-up is American globe-trotter
Tom Rhodes. Tom is a travel writer for the
Huffington Post and an acclaimed stand-up comedian, that the New York Times says has ‘
a natural intellect with a knack for reporting the harsh realities of life with a dark and absurdly optimistic cynicism’
GUY WILLIAMS (NZ)
After
five years of easy work Guy Williams is finally getting the respect he
has never really deserved. With a Billy T Award in hand Guy can finally
fulfil his dream of “nailing shit 24/7”. He’s worked on TV3’s hit shows 7
Days and Jono and Ben at Ten. Voted Metro Magazine’s ‘Best Comedian’ in 2012. “Very funny” Radio New Zealand National
CHRIS MARTIN (UK)
Considered
one of the hot new prospects on the UK Pro circuit, Chris Martin has
been making numerous TV appearances and supporting the likes of Jack
Whitehall & Terry Alderton. “Destined for greatness. He’s got charm,
anecdotes, call backs and a worrying father!” Sunday Times, UK ***** “Pushes every comedy button… sheer genius” Edinburghguide.com
JESSE GRIFFIN (NZ)
Winner
of NZ’s top comedy award, The Fred (2010), Jesse Griffin is a
sought-after comedian, writer and actor. His understated delivery and
clever observational humour has seen him become a favourite on TV3’s hit
shows 7 Days and Golden. “A large serving of very, very dry smart
humour.” Darren Bevan, TVNZ
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N.B. The 2degrees Comedy Convoy may include adult content & colourful language, and is recommended for audiences 16+.
TOURING NATIONWIDE...
Critics Review
They aren't in fact billed together, but Britain's young gun Chris Martin and American veteran Tom Rhodes create a great comedy face-off in their respective festival gigs at the same venue. If this is UK vs the US, stand-up style, it would be hard to pick a winner. They both provide some great cultural comedy insight.
On Tuesday night, Martin had the disadvantage of a 7pm timeslot, and a smaller, less liquored crowd. But his observations on the quirks of humanity still tickle the funnybone. His audience interactions are gentle and sly, and his quips were wide-ranging: bubbles in baths ("a foamy layer of shame"), competitive yoga, why naps are better than massages, solo vs communal fruits (apples vs watermelons), and why it's called a glovebox when we don't use it for gloves. His casual British demeanour and slightly rambling delivery can occasionally take the real punch out of the joke, but his notes on consumer reviews of kitchen appliances, and the unseen advantages of a longtime girlfriend deliver big laughs.
By comparison, Rhodes is like conversing with someone on speed - he's louder, brasher, more controversial, more energetic, and humorous in his style as much as his content. Sex, religion, racism (sunburn is the real cause), and gay marriage are all wound into personal anecdotes from his seemingly nutty life.
His stories about being hit on by another male comedy star, his father's 100 degree air conditioning rule, and losing love in Amsterdam are all very entertaining, with or without a concrete punchline. But it's his quips on the English, ideas for the new Pope, and thoughts on mixed-race relationships ("you gotta keep mixing the races until we're all the same grey-ish colour") which cut through.