2026 NZ INTERNATIONAL COMEDY FESTIVAL GOES TO THE MOVIES!

Things are about to get reel funny. For the first time, NZ International Comedy Festival with Best Foods Mayo is heading to the movies. On screen is the Mother’s Day world premiere of Morgana O’Reilly’s acclaimed solo show turned film Stories About My Body, an exclusive 4D screening of new Kiwi horror-comedy The Weed Eaters, and a special encore of Lorin Clarke’s documentary Not Only Fred Dagg But Also John Clarke to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the Fred Award.

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Michelle Lafferty
INSIDE THE HOUSE OF WINDSOR: THE ROYAL NANNY’S SCANDAL ON STAGE

Trusted with raising two future princesses, Marion “Crawfie” Crawford spent 16 years inside the royal household before a memoir sparked a scandal that would exile her from the palace forever.

Melanie Tait’s acclaimed play The Queen’s Nanny makes its New Zealand premiere from 14 – 24 May at The PumpHouse Theatre in Takapuna, presented by Tadpole Productions.

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Michelle Lafferty
THEATRE WITH NO FILTER: A FIERCE EXPLORATION OF GIRLHOOD, DESIRE AND CONSENT

As national conversations intensify around consent, rough sex, and the pressures young people face navigating intimacy – highlighted in a recently published New Zealand Parliament Justice Committee report warning that changing sexual norms are blurring the line between consent and assault, Silo Theatre’s upcoming production Playfight arrives with striking urgency.

The searing and award-winning debut play by British writer Julia Grogan makes its New Zealand premiere with Silo Theatre from 14 – 30 May at Silo Hall, 3 East Street in Auckland.

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Michelle Lafferty
THE FAME MID-CAREER AWARDS 2026 RECIPIENTS ANNOUNCED

The recipients of the FAME Mid-Career Awards 2026 have been announced at the 2026 PANNZ Arts Market, recognising the outstanding contributions of performing artists and production professionals from across Aotearoa’s performing arts sector. With 55 individuals nominated, this year’s awards highlighted the remarkable talent within the industry.

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Michelle Lafferty
World-famous comedy circus trio Laser Kiwi bring their wildly inventive new show home

Auckland Live is proud to present the Auckland premiere of Everybody Knows, the new show from award-winning circus comedy trio Laser Kiwi, developed in partnership with Hannah Playhouse in Wellington. Part of the 2026 New Zealand International Comedy Festival with Best Foods Mayo, the season plays in Wellington 5 – 16 May at the Hannah Playhouse and Auckland from 19 – 23 May at the Herald Theatre, Aotea Centre.

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Michelle Lafferty
BE IN ON THE LAUGH: NZ INTERNATIONAL COMEDY FEST ANNOUNCES 2026 PROGRAMME

The funniest month of the year is back. The NZ Comedy Trust is thrilled to present the 2026 NZ International Comedy Festival with Best Foods Mayo, dishing up non-stop laughs in Auckland and Wellington between 1 – 24 May. Now in its 33rd Auckland edition, and celebrating 30 years in Wellington, this year’s festival brings more than 150 hometown heroes, rising stars and international heavyweights to the stage across more than 550 laugh-out-loud performances.

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Michelle Lafferty
GREG DAVIES NEW ZEALAND TOUR 2026

Bohm Presents and Avalon Promotions are pleased to announce that Greg Davies will be bringing his highly acclaimed show Full Fat Legend to New Zealand in October 2026. This will be Greg’s first New Zealand tour and will kick off in Auckland before heading to Wellington and Christchurch. Tickets go on sale Tuesday 3 March.

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Michelle Lafferty