Latest news with #NewZealandInternationalComedyFestival
NZ Herald
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- NZ Herald
Billy T winners Lana Walters and Hoani Hotene talk identity, motherhood and comedy advice
The New Zealand International Comedy Festival has come to an end - and a new winner of the Billy T Award has been crowned. Hoani Hotene picked up the acclaimed prize last weekend, which is awarded to the best rising comedian at the festival each year. The award is represented
NZ Herald
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- NZ Herald
Actor & Comedian Johanna Cosgrove's Beauty Routine Is No Joke
Fresh off the NZ International Comedy Festival circuit, Johanna Cosgrove shares how her stage makeup befits her Sweetie persona. Johanna Cosgrove is busy basking in that post-awards glow. Earlier this week, the actor, comedian and writer was awarded Director's Choice at the New Zealand International Comedy Festival for Sweetie, directed by Jess Joy Wood. It's the show Johanna has performed both in Aotearoa and across the ditch – most recently to crowds who filed into Auckland's Basement Theatre from May 13 to 17, primed with a glass of white wine and ready to laugh until they cried. They did. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Johanna Cosgrove (@johannacosgrove) There's really no excuse not to be familiar with the comedy darling. She's graced our TV screens as Jaz in Three's Madam, makes up half of the podcast Rats In The Gutter, which she co-hosts with friend and fellow creative Samuel Te Kani, she has written for Shortland Street, and exercised her penchant for performing in countless theatre productions and short films. She's wickedly funny, yes, but - as the name of her show suggests – she's a total sweetie. It's hardly surprising then that she's amassed a growing fanbase of loyalists (me included) and has teamed up with some of the most lauded female comedians, including Justine Smith, Elouise Eftos, Rhiannon McCall, Hayley Sproull, Lana Walters and Liv McKenzie for the all-female comedy show, Goblin Girls. Below, Johanna explains how her bold beauty looks help cement the vibe for her show, why she's not a subscriber to the 'clean girl' aesthetic, and how you'll never find her caught with fewer than seven lipsticks in her handbag. ASHLEIGH COMETTI: The electric blue eyeshadow and bright red lips from your Sweetie promo shoot are burned into my memory for all the right reasons. How does this bold makeup look capture the playful energy of your show? JOHANNA COSGROVE: The makeup is essential! I refuse to do stand-up comedy in anything less than a fully realised visual concept (read: full costume and full beat). When I was writing Sweetie, I knew I wanted the vibe to be hot, punk, sweaty and dangerous – I was extremely inspired by Amy from Amyl and The Sniffers, photos from Kathleen Hanna in the 90s and the photographic work of Nadia Lee Cohen. The furious feminine, if you will. Something about the clash of blue and red, the nod to Liza Minnelli in Cabaret, and the theatricality of the 80s to the brow eyeshadow had me going ding ding ding, b***h! AC: You're no stranger to bold beauty looks and are often spotted donning blue liner or bright red lipstick. What are some of your signature beauty looks, and what do you love most about them? JC: More is … more. I've always been a liquid eyeliner girl, and would go to high school with a big ole wing from an eyeliner that was $2 on Cuba St and could simply be peeled off at the end of the day (unintentional!). Red lipstick is timeless and, even though I've taken time away from her, I'm back on the bandwagon with the force of 10000 suns. I also support thick bushy dark brows, blush, lip liner, mascara and nothing else. I support glamour, I have absolutely no time for the 'clean girl' TikTok aesthetic. Sue me! JC: My auntie is a makeup artist and she once said to me, 'perfect base, perfect face,' so keeping my skin healthy is priority numero uno. Beauty should always be fun, it should make you feel cool! It should make you feel sexy and powerful! No makeup and zits out can make me feel like the hottest girl on the planet of earth and so full of self-confidence that even my hormonal acne feels like art. But sometimes I need a full glitter cut crease (hello, 2016) and my cheekbones to be contoured like cut glass to even leave my house. It's a spectrum! I will never be limited! View this post on Instagram A post shared by Johanna Cosgrove (@johannacosgrove) AC: Talk me through your daily beauty routine – both on show day and off. How are they different? JC: SHOW DAY: Every time I've tried to incorporate a 10-step skincare routine, my face has responded by turning the texture and colour of red raw meat (derogatory). So now I keep it simple – lots of moisturiser! When I'm performing every night for months on end, I'll do sheet masks for aftercare – the Garnier moisturising ones from the supermarket are a slay. You best believe I've also tried the overnight viral Korean skin care mask (they do work, but they are crazy). I'll also do a gentle exfoliate once a week, I love the Emma Lewisham Illuminating Exfoliant. I don't wear a lot of foundation, but I'll always have a lip combo on – I'll not be caught dead without at least seven lipsticks in my purse. Hair care is also important (I must protect all seven of my strands), so I use a scalp massager (also from the supermarket), HINU Hair Oil and try and minimise the amount of heat damage (velcro rollers are in – spread it). OFF DAY: Cleanser, moisturiser, bit of sunscreen and black coffee almost spilt through my sheets. AC: We all know that bright stage lights can be hot, hot, hot. How do you ensure your makeup lasts the distance and doesn't slide off while you're performing? JC: At 16, there was nothing like a full can of hairspray straight on top of your L'Oreal Dream Matte Mousse to get you through $1 Bubbles Wednesdays at Establishment on Courtenay Place. It also causes your skin to flake like a croissant. This year I knew I'd need something more sustainable to handle the rivulets of sweat streaming out of me on this tour, so instead of foundation, I opted for a K-Beauty BB cream as my base (incredible coverage and designed to be good in humidity) with a light powder between bronzer (NARS) and blush (Mecca). I also used the Charlotte Tilbury Setting Spray like a firehose as well as M.A.C Stack Waterproof Mascara and Benefit Eyeliner that did not budge. My lip was M.A.C Locked Kiss Ink 24-Hour Lip Colour, which truly does what it says on the tin. Twenty-four hours, babe! Unmoveable! Loves it! AC: What are your five favourite products of all time, and why? JC: Cosrx Snail Mucin – aside from some light, *preventative* Botox, this product is the sole reason I could feasibly play a 25-year-old in a television show in my early 30s. I'm in love with it, obsessed with it and probably addicted. Ageing forwards? Not here. Clinique Black Honey – The OG. The queen. I could be on a plane falling from the sky and I would be grabbing for my passport, my phone and my Clinique Black Honey. The subtle colour match is beautiful. She's still a bestseller for a reason. Curio Noir Perfume (Pablo) – I was given this as a gift from the showrunners when I finished shooting Madam and it's truly a perfect scent. 10/10 no notes. K18 Leave-In Molecular Mask – this really is the best. As a PCOS girl who sizzled her hair to oblivion with years of on-scalp bleaching, this product brought me back from the absolute and utter brink. Thank you, K18. M.A.C Lip Pencil in Soar – The colour? The consistency? Sublime. I am never without this lip liner. Please sponsor me, M.A.C Cosmetics. HONOURABLE MENTION: CeraVe Oil Cleanser and a flannel. You don't need anything else to get your face clean. AC: Who do you consider your muses, both in comedy and in beauty? JC: In comedy, Cat Cohen, Joan Rivers, Natasha Leggero, Julia Davis, Samuel Te Kani, the New Zealand comedy industry. In beauty, Amy from Amyl and the Sniffers, Blondie, Kathleen Hanna, emo girls on Myspace, Nadia Lee Cohen, beauty influencer Not Another Hanna, Cher, any actress on Broadway from 1976-98, the movie Showgirls, and drag queens Trixie and Katya. AC: Do you follow beauty trends? Or do you prefer to stick to what you know and love? JC: I like to look for trends for inspiration, but ultimately I'll happily reject them and do whatever I wish. AC: What's the funniest beauty advice you've ever received? JC: 'Underline your lips so they don't look so big' - girl … wot. AC: What's your biggest beauty regret? JC: Following the above advice. St Yves Scrub. Not getting into sunscreen until it was borderline too late. Not moisturising – dial 111! AC: Beauty is... JC: Vital! More beauty From the hottest runway trends to try now to the local beauty brand founder making waves globally. Our 2025 Beauty Trend Predictions Came True At Australian Fashion Week. From wine-stained lips to skincare-as-makeup, here are the top trends beauty editor Ashleigh Cometti spotted at AFW. 8 Of The Best Keratosis Pilaris Treatments To Try In 2025. Skin feeling rough, textured or bumpy? Here's how to manage keratosis pilaris this winter. Viva Beauty Awards 2025: Discover The Finalists & Vote For Your Favourites Now. Our expert judges have decided the finalists across all 30 categories, now it's over to you to crown the winners. . Beauty entrepreneur Katey Mandy continues to push the boundaries of botanicals with New Zealand skincare brand, Raaie.
Economic Times
26-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Economic Times
Who are New Zealand's best comedians and laughter queens who swept the Fred Award
Live Events Other winners (You can now subscribe to our (You can now subscribe to our Economic Times WhatsApp channel New Zealand's premier comedy award, The Fred Award, featured an all-female lineup of finalists for the first time, a landmark moment reflecting the rising prominence of women in Kiwi comedy. Named after John Clarke's iconic character Fred Dagg, this prestigious prize honors the country's top comedic talent and comes with a $5,000 grant from the New Zealand Comedy Trust Angella Dravid was crowned best in show at the closing gala of the New Zealand International Comedy Festival and was awarded The Fred winning set, I'm Happy For You, is a darkly funny exploration of traumatic experiences from her own life. She beat fellow finalists Abby Howells and Melanie Bracewell, all of whom had previously won the Billy T Award, the festival's prize for emerging comedians 'This is the first time that three previous winners of the Billy T Award made up the Fred Award nominees,' highlighting the festival's commitment to nurturing fresh voices. Dravid herself won the Billy T in 2017, followed by Bracewell in 2018, and Howells in achievement marks only the third time a woman has taken home The Fred Award, after Jan Maree and Rose Matafeo, breaking a decade-long streak dominated by male winners. Previous Fred Award recipients include well-known names like Dai Henwood, Chris Parker, and Guy Billy T Award this year went to Hoani Hotene for his show It's Getting Hotene, So Tell Me All Your Jokes. Hotene triumphed over nominees including David Stuart, Lesa MacLeod-Whiting, Booth the Clown & Jak Darling, and Itay Dom, also earning a $5,000 in 1997 and inspired by legendary comedian Billy T James, this award celebrates rising talent in New Zealand's vibrant comedy highlights from the festival included Best Newcomer (Auckland) Sean Collier, joint winners Mo Munn and Liv Ward for Best Newcomer (Wellington), and the Festival Director's Choice Award given to Johanna Cosgrove. The Best International category was shared by Australia's Elouise Eftos and Rosco year's festival felt like a celebration of resilience, fresh perspectives, and a broadening comedic landscape. Dravid's blend of humor and honesty about personal trauma resonated deeply with audiences, reflecting a new era where comedy embraces vulnerability alongside festival host and previous Fred winner Eli Matthewson said, the event was a 'powerful reminder that comedy is not just about jokes it's about connecting through shared human experience.'With these breakthroughs, New Zealand's comedy scene looks set to inspire audiences both locally and abroad for years to come.
Time of India
26-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Who are New Zealand's best comedians and laughter queens who swept the Fred Award
New Zealand's premier comedy award, The Fred Award, featured an all-female lineup of finalists for the first time, a landmark moment reflecting the rising prominence of women in Kiwi comedy. Named after John Clarke's iconic character Fred Dagg, this prestigious prize honors the country's top comedic talent and comes with a $5,000 grant from the New Zealand Comedy Trust . Angella Dravid was crowned best in show at the closing gala of the New Zealand International Comedy Festival and was awarded The Fred Award. Dravid's winning set, I'm Happy For You, is a darkly funny exploration of traumatic experiences from her own life. She beat fellow finalists Abby Howells and Melanie Bracewell, all of whom had previously won the Billy T Award, the festival's prize for emerging comedians . by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Elegant New Scooters For Seniors In 2024: The Prices May Surprise You Mobility Scooter | Search Ads Learn More Undo 'This is the first time that three previous winners of the Billy T Award made up the Fred Award nominees,' highlighting the festival's commitment to nurturing fresh voices. Dravid herself won the Billy T in 2017, followed by Bracewell in 2018, and Howells in 2023. This achievement marks only the third time a woman has taken home The Fred Award, after Jan Maree and Rose Matafeo, breaking a decade-long streak dominated by male winners. Previous Fred Award recipients include well-known names like Dai Henwood, Chris Parker, and Guy Montgomery. Live Events The Billy T Award this year went to Hoani Hotene for his show It's Getting Hotene, So Tell Me All Your Jokes. Hotene triumphed over nominees including David Stuart, Lesa MacLeod-Whiting, Booth the Clown & Jak Darling, and Itay Dom, also earning a $5,000 grant. Started in 1997 and inspired by legendary comedian Billy T James, this award celebrates rising talent in New Zealand's vibrant comedy scene. Other winners Other highlights from the festival included Best Newcomer (Auckland) Sean Collier, joint winners Mo Munn and Liv Ward for Best Newcomer (Wellington), and the Festival Director's Choice Award given to Johanna Cosgrove. The Best International category was shared by Australia's Elouise Eftos and Rosco McClelland. This year's festival felt like a celebration of resilience, fresh perspectives, and a broadening comedic landscape. Dravid's blend of humor and honesty about personal trauma resonated deeply with audiences, reflecting a new era where comedy embraces vulnerability alongside laughter. As festival host and previous Fred winner Eli Matthewson said, the event was a 'powerful reminder that comedy is not just about jokes it's about connecting through shared human experience.' With these breakthroughs, New Zealand's comedy scene looks set to inspire audiences both locally and abroad for years to come.
The Spinoff
07-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The Spinoff
Why doesn't the South Island get the comedy festival?
Our national comedy festival barely crosses the Cook Strait. Alex Casey tries to find out why. I've lived in Ōtautahi for two and a half years now, and I can tell you one thing for free: this city bloody loves a laugh. For example, I once saw a man in a curly blue clown wig driving a Suzuki Swift around and around the roundabout in St Martins. I've seen, on multiple occasions, a parody bumper sticker of Jim's Mowing that simply reads Jim's Pubic Trims. I've seen a chihuahua on Cashel Street wearing a straw hat and a tutu. All strong signifiers of a crack-up city. I've also been in extremely packed and buzzing rooms to see tonnes of stand up comedy, be it a shambolic work in progress show at Little Andromeda, experimental goings-on at Dark Room and Space Academy or a sold out night at James Hay with prodigal sons like Chris Parker and Guy Montgomery. Good Times Comedy Club has heaps on every week, and improv institution Scared Scriptless has just moved to its new home at the swanky Court Theatre in town. Why then, is Christchurch currently being plagued by posters for New Zealand International Comedy Festival shows in Wellington? Why are there just a handful of offerings daring to cross the Cook Strait to the South Island at all? And is Christchurch being overlooked as the next big comedy city? James Mustapic is one of those few brave comedians bringing his show south over the festival, and he explains his working simply: 'I like doing shows there, I get pretty good crowds, and I've got nothing else to do.' Coming down relatively often to visit his family in Christchurch, Mustapic started gigging here in 2019. He will often bring his work in progress shows to test out at Little Andromeda, before jumping on a line-up show across town at Good Times. 'Even if they don't have the biggest rooms, the audiences are always really nice,' he says. 'Sometimes in Auckland they just won't laugh unless there's a big audience, so I really enjoy it.' Mustapic also mentions Little Andromeda's All You Can Eat offering, in which people buy a $60 ticket to see as many shows as they like in a month. 'I think that really encourages people to get out and see lots of different things that they might not usually want to go see,' he says. Michael Bell runs Little Andromeda Theatre, which has been open on the Terrace since 2020 and programmes a mix of theatre and stand-up. 'I think stand up comedy is well attended in general in Christchurch,' he says. 'We've got really good venues that look after artists and make it an easy place to come and try out new material. So many of New Zealand's famous comedians are also from Christchurch, so we'll see them come home and try things out.' Because of these work in progress shows, Bell says Christchurch is already hosting an unofficial comedy festival of sorts. 'It's just that we get it a month or two early,' he laughs. 'That's why I'm not as up in arms about it, because I literally see the North Island comedy festival at Little Andromeda every year.' Pip Taylor, the owner of Good Times Comedy Club is slightly more emphatic about the absence of the comedy festival in the south. 'They say it is our national comedy festival, but it is really just a North Island comedy festival,' she says. 'We're the second biggest city in this country, so hopefully they'll come to the party soon.' Having been involved with the comedy club since it opened in 2020, Taylor echoes that things are 'thriving' in the local comedy scene. By way of example, she mentions a headline-grabbing mishap with her paperwork earlier this year that could have been disastrous. 'So I was a day late in getting my liquor license renewed, and I lost it for 25 days. But while I bled money over the bar, the audience was still turning up for comedy,' she says. 'I think that is such a strong indicator of how people feel about comedy here in Christchurch – they're still showing up for it, even when they can't get drunk.' This stone cold sober love for comedy not gone unnoticed by Lauren Whitney, director of The New Zealand International Comedy Festival. While Christchurch has previously been used as an occasional satellite location for the odd touring act or gala over the years, she says that there are plans to explore a closer relationship with the city, and soon. 'It's not about a lack of interest in Christchurch, it is really just about capacity and resource at this stage.' Whitney explains that the core funding for the festival comes from commercial sponsors like Best Foods Mayonnaise, and the rest is from Auckland and Wellington city councils (funding from Creative New Zealand is inconsistent, and they didn't get any this year). 'Because we're not getting long term consistent funding, it's very hard for us to future plan, because generally, by the time we finish a festival, we're then going out and seeking funding all over again,' she says. There's also the issue of timing. The schedule creep of comedy festivals in Melbourne, Perth, Sydney and Brisbane overlapping with New Zealand has meant that availability of talent is becoming an issue as it is. 'Currently we have about 650 performances across three and a half weeks in Auckland and Wellington, and so scheduling another city on top of that would produce some logistical challenges,' she says. 'Nothing we can't work out, of course.' So while I might be whinging down here in the south for the moment, scavenging for errant laughs wherever I can find them (Jim's Pubic Trims), Whitney assures me that momentum is building. 'The dream is to grow Christchurch as a market, not only for the work that we're doing, but also for the wider ecosystem so that comedians can perform with or without us,' she says. 'The long term aim is definitely to do more and more and bring stuff consistently.' In the meantime, South Islanders can check out a smattering of comedy festival shows here
