Henwood has the "Last Laugh"

Media Release: For Immediate Release

Henwood has the "Last Laugh"

The 2007 New Zealand International Comedy Festival exceeded all expectations as the annual 3 week programme came to an end last Sunday night with the Festival award ceremony, Last Laugh. This final celebration was a fitting end to the 2007 NZ International Comedy Festival which saw the highest tickets sales ever across an increased selection of both local and international acts.

Local comedian Dai Henwood was the toast of the awards, picking up the coveted FRED Award (a nod of recognition to those with an established career in comedy who have the potential to make it overseas) and Best Local Show (Wellington). Henwood, star of C4's Insert Video Here and previous winner of the Billy T Award for his 2003 solo show The Story of Funk faced stiff competition for this year's FRED Award against the likes of Ewen Gilmour and Te Radar. Henwood was successful on the night scooping the award and a $3000 travel voucher to assist in taking his unique brand of kiwi humour across the globe. Henwood is only the second person to receive the FRED Award since its inception last year. Candidates for this premium comedy award must have eight years professional experience years in the comedy industry and must a present a new show in the festival programme.

Comedy duo Jarrod Baker and Dave Smith, also know as Mrs.Peacock, bested other nominees Alex Hawley, Grant Lobban and Jamie Bowen by picking up this year's prestigious Billy T Award which was this year presented in association with Maori Television. Inspired and named after the country's much loved legendary comedian, the award acknowledges the continuation and growth of live New Zealand comedy by recognizing emerging new talent. With an illustrious list of previous winners, from Cal Wilson and Ewen Gilmour to Te Radar and Brendhan Lovegrove this award offers an opportunity to carve out a success career in NZ comedy. Mrs.Peacock's new show Rock 101, played at Auckland's The Classic Studio and revolved around the tutoring of the audience of how to 'rock' with a combination of stand up and musical comedic pieces. This duo previously were two time winners of the NZ Comedy Guild Award for "Most Offensive Gag".

The Best Newcomer Award was awarded to The Black Friars with their performance Being Brown, a tale about a group of Polynesian men nostalgic about their lives growing up in South Auckland. Former Billy T Award winner Ben Hurley picked up Auckland's Spirit of the Festival, while the Spirit of the Festival Wellington was awarded to the San Francisco Bathhouse. Best Poster award went to Sam Wills, as well as winning rave reviews with his innovative The Boy With Tape On His Face which also took home the award for Best Local Show (Auckland). British comedian Stephen K. Amos picked up the Best International Show award and was so overjoyed with his win he paraded it around the streets of Auckland for the rest of the night.

The 2007 Winners:
The Fred Award - Dai Henwood (Dai-Namic Scenarios)
Billy T Award (presented in association with Maori Television) - Mrs.Peacock (Rock 101)
Best Local Show (Auckland) - Sam Wills (Boy With the Tape on His Face)
Best Local Show (Wellington) - Dai Henwood (Dai-Namic Scenarios)
Best Newcomer - The Black Friars (Being Brown)
Spirit of the Festival (Auckland) - Ben Hurley
Spirit of Festival (Wellington) - San Francisco Bathhouse
Best International Show - Stephen K. Amos
Best Poster - Sam Wills (Boy With Tape on His Face)

ends

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