KEY POINTS:
The NZ International Comedy Festival starts on April 18 with a reliable crop of Kiwi standups as well as returning internationals (including David O'Doherty, Arj Barker and this year's host, Jeff Green) and newbies (US actor Jamie Kennedy of the prank show The Jamie Kennedy Experiment). This year has a few surprises.
Here are some leftfield shows to look out for:
On the conditions and possibilities of Helen Clark taking me as her lover
This "punky, power-point-driven monologue" written by Balclutha man Richard Meros is an analysis of how the Prime Minister might succumb to the temptation of the lonely performer, Arthur Meek.
One-Man Star Wars Trilogy
Star Wars addict Charles Ross takes on 25 characters without the aid of costumes. See him morph into Luke Skywalker, Princess Leia, C3PO, Chewbacca, Darth Vadar and other characters.
As Many Jokes As We Can Get Away With
Ed Caruthers once told 43 jokes in seven minutes, so prepare for a non-stop litany of punchlines from him and co-star Graeme Rowe.
Good Evening New Zealand
Part stand-up, part "The Daily Show", featuring clips, commentary and the kind of headlines the newsreaders just can't give you. Starring Lee Herbert and Bret Rudnick.
Cohen Holloway: Hypnotastic Tour
The local presents a combination of puppetry and pop culture with help from Wellington's Vaughan Slinn, Camille Keenan, Yvette Reid and more.
Men Of Steel
Three mad Aussie chefs animate everything from an electric pan to a tin of dogfood in this puppetry performance.
The programme will be available on March 11. Go to www.comedyfestival.co.nz
