The Great Comedy Show
South Taranaki’s Great Comedy night is back again - this time with four comedians heading to two South Taranaki venues.
Hosted by local lad and nationally renowned comedian Ben Hurley, and with friends Tom Sainsbury, Wilson Dixon and Courtney Dawson, the team are heading to Eltham Town Hall on Friday 23 August and to Hāwera’s Memorial Theatre on Saturday 24 August.
South Taranaki District Council Events Co-ordinator Ella Tosland has chosen to go back to Eltham Town Hall for the event this year, saying it is a stunning hall that is ideal for stand-up comedy. The Eltham community always gets involved and welcomes Ben and his friends back every year.
“It’s a perfect venue for this type of event. Winter can be a slow time for events and getting out, so it is nice to be able to offer the community something like this," says Ella. “We would love to provide the opportunity for as many people to sit down and enjoy a much-needed laugh."
Tom Sainsbury became a social media star with his irreverent comedy sketches amassing hundreds of thousands of views. You may know him from his characters Gingerbread, Fiona the Wine Reviewer or Boomer Dad, or you may have seen him on TV shows Wellington Paranormal, The Educators and the recent Spinal Destination.
Wilson Dixon is known to many as the greatest country singer Cripple Creek has ever produced - as well as the only country singer Cripple Creek has ever produced. Whichever way you look at it, it’s a pretty good achievement. Wilson Dixon's melodic philosophies on life have seen him become one of the most loved characters on the Australian, UK and NZ circuit.
Courtney Dawson (Ngāti Kuri, Waikato-Tainui) is an award-winning Auckland-based comedian, mother, and occasional, begrudging biography writer. She is the co-host of two seasons of Māori Television’s Rags are Riches, has appeared on TVNZ’s Have You Been Paying Attention? and got to the final three on the last season of Celebrity Treasure Island.
And of course, Ben Hurley. Best known as a regular panellist and head writer for NZ’s top rating and longest running TV comedy 7 Days, contributor on TVNZ’s nightly News adjacent show, Seven Sharp. He has appeared on numerous other TV shows including 14 NZ Comedy Festival Galas, four Aotearoa Comedy specials, Patriot Brains, Funny Roots and Would I Lie to You. He has hosted the New Zealand Music Awards. He’s had his own series alongside Steve Wrigley, World Famous with Ben and Steve, hosted stand-up comedy show After Hours.
Tickets are $30 each or table of 10 at the Eltham Town Hall is $400 (which includes more premiere seating closer to the stage and nibbles) and will go on sale at the South Taranaki isite Visitor Centre and Eltham Library Plus on 1 July or you can email events@stdc.govt.nz to find out more. Both shows start at 7.30pm with doors open from 7pm. The show is R16.
