It's not a joke when Emma Bowyer invites the audience to bring their own baby to a Napier comedy show. Video / Warren Buckland
Have you ever wanted to go to a comedy show but struggled to get a babysitter? Or are you a caregiver looking for something a bit more exciting than your bog-standard playgroup?
Hawke’s Bay comedian and improviser Emma Bowyer thinks she’s found the perfect solution for you. She has launched what she believes is Aotearoa’s first baby-friendly daytime comedy show.
It’s a seemingly tough crowd. Getting the giggles out of both parents and children is a mammoth task but Bowyer says there is a lot more to it than just the laughs.
No heckling from the crowd. 23-month-old Roman Booth plays while mum Jay listens to Hawke's Bay comedian Karen Leslie (right). Photo / Warren Buckland
A mother of three and the owner of improv company Flaming Mojo, she said the idea came from similar events overseas that looked to provide a safe space for caregivers to enjoy themselves with their kids.
“This is about mums and caregivers being isolated and not having enough for them. I thought, why can’t we do comedy gigs? Make it child-friendly and do it during the day so they can bring their kids,” she told Hawke’s Bay Today.
There’s still the usual tea, coffee and cake on offer but, unlike any ordinary playgroup, there are bright lights, beanbags and a whole lot of jokes. Parents are free to breastfeed, change and look after their children in a welcoming, no-judgment environment.
Hawke's Bay comedy queen Emma Bowyer is bringing the laughs to kids and parents of Hawke's Bay. Photo / Warren Buckland
“Comedy is good for the soul. It’s well documented that it’s really good for everybody’s mental health,” Bowyer said.
While the comedy is targeted at adults, Bowyer said there would always be an element of kid-friendly humour and interaction in the mix.
“The material is for [the caregivers] to have a laugh. It’s not for the kids but, being a mum myself, I can’t help it.
“We play and we encourage, and we support the kids being there. We talk to them, and we might even play a little song or do something fun so they feel comfortable as well and want to be here so the caregivers can relax and enjoy themselves.”
A small but buzzing crowd was at the first event on Friday morning at Arthur Richards Hall in Napier, which included performances from Bowyer and local comedians Karen Leslie and Sundeia Lomberg.
“I’ve got kids myself,” Lomberg told Hawke’s Bay Today.
“I think it’s quite a novel idea to have something for mums to come out to, so thought it was a great thing to support.”
In their sets, the three comedians mused on the challenges of motherhood, the beauty of nicknames as well a few cleverly disguised puns.
On the odd occasion, there was a “stop and think” moment about whether the parents should cover the kids’ ears, but the two professionals masterfully meddled with their wordplay to please both tough audiences.
Gintarė McLean was one of the first to arrive at the hall with her 1-year-old daughter Daynora.
She said a friend had told her about the idea and she thought it would be a great way to spend her day off.
“Often you can’t go to events like this with kids, so it’s awesome that we can spend the time together because Friday is my day off and we always do something special.”
Gintare McLean (front) and daughter Daynora (1) join other caregivers at the BYOB comedy show in Napier. Photo / Warren Buckland
Bowyer said the event at Arthur Richards Hall would run on the last Friday of every month at 10.30am.
“I’m hoping that word of mouth will spread, and we get maybe 30 people on average.
“I think this is going to be really popular. The feedback I’ve had is that it’s something that people want to do.”
Tickets are $5 at the door.
Mitchell Hageman joined Hawke’s Bay Today in late January. From his Napier base, he writes regularly on social issues, arts and culture and the community. He has a particular love for stories about ordinary people doing extraordinary things.
