THE QUEST IS ON TO FIND WELLINGTON’S NEXT COMEDY STARS

The capital’s premier open mic comedy competition, the Wellington Raw Comedy Quest, returns for 2025. A stepping stone for many New Zealand comedians, the Raw Comedy Quest offers the chance to witness the rising stars in stand-up comedy before they hit the big time. The first heat kicks off in Wellington on 3 July at Fringe Bar, MC’d by 2020 Quest finalist and 2025 Billy T nominee Lesa Macleod-Whiting.

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Michelle Lafferty
THE NIGHT OF DEBAUCHERY AND FURY WHEN FRANKENSTEIN WAS BORN

From the minds of award-winning playwright Jess Sayer and director Oliver Driver,comes MARY: The Birth of Frankenstein - a blood-drenched phantasmagoria that reimagines the infamous stormy evening when Mary Shelley, the mother of gothic horror, conceived Frankenstein. Auckland Theatre Company proudly presents this world premiere, playing at the ASB Waterfront Theatre from 19 August – 7 September. You’d kill to get a ticket. 

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Michelle Lafferty
WORLD PRESS PHOTO EXHIBITION ANNOUNCES NEW AUCKLAND VENUE

Opening next month, the prestigious international World Press Photo Exhibition returns to showcase the world’s most compelling photojournalism from around the globe. Following the closure of Smith & Caughey’s at the end of July, the exhibition has a new home for 2025 thanks to the generosity of the owners of 131 Queen Street and the team at Krukziener Properties. The exhibition will run as scheduled from 26 July – 24 August, with tickets available online via Eventfinda or at the door.

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Michelle Lafferty
BILLY T AND FRED AWARD WINNERS ANNOUNCED FOR THE 2025 NZ INTERNATIONAL COMEDY FEST

After a month of side-splitting shows from the very best local and international comedians, the NZ International Comedy Festival with Best Foods Mayo wrapped up this evening at Last Laughs. After the performances, the New Zealand Comedy Trust honoured the brightest comedy talent of this year’s festival with multiple awards, including the coveted 2025 Fred Award for the Best New Zealand Show in the Festival and the 2025 Billy T Award for a comedian with the most outstanding potential.

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Michelle Lafferty
FINALISTS ANNOUNCED FOR 2025 COMEDY FEST’S FRED AWARD FOR BEST NEW ZEALAND SHOW

The three finalists for this year’s coveted Fred Award have been chosen by a panel of expert judges and will compete at tomorrow’s final showcase Last Laughs, hosted by Eli MatthewsonThe award will go to the Best New Zealand Show in the 2025 NZ International Comedy Festival with Best Foods Mayo and is one of the highest commendations in Aotearoa’s comedy industry.

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Michelle Lafferty
ILLUSIONIST ANTHONY STREET RETURNS TO NEW ZEALAND FOR EPIC 22-CENTRE TOUR THIS WINTER

Presented by Base Entertainment, internationally renowned performer, illusionist and creator of smash-hit shows Celtic IllusionCeltica, and Ballroom Blitz, Anthony Streetreturns to Aotearoa this winter with something audiences have never seen before. ILLUSIONIST ANTHONY STREET, a bold new show where the spotlight falls not just on the magic, but on the man behind it. 

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Michelle Lafferty