Michael McIntyre – Vector Arena

Beloved. It’s not a word used much about any public figure this day and age, but it is the one that best describes Michael McIntyre’s relationship with his public. The comedy super-star is in town for under 48 hours, and played Vector Arena last night to a swelling and excited crowd. As one of the most popular and successful comedians working and touring at the moment, McIntyre’s name is familiar to Kiwis mainly thanks to his television show ‘Michael McIntyre’s Comedy Roadshow’. It’s no wonder the crowds packed in to see him live, and he didn’t disappoint.

Those who have seen his ‘Roadshow’ or his appearances on programmes such as ‘Live at the Apollo’ and ‘The Royal Variety Gala’ know that McIntyre’s brand of humour is a congenial, warm one, full of relatable and real material.

After an enthusiastic welcome from the audience, he gets right into it with banter about his arrival to New Zealand (including a brilliant Kiwi accent impression – he is famous for his accents) and the difference between N’Zild and his last stop in Oz. Obviously some of the obligatory crowd pandering takes place when comparing the two. His style is delightfully conversational, nothing feels rehearsed or like it has been delivered numerous times before – it feels off the cuff and tailored to suit the audience he is speaking to. At one point, the crowd mis-hears what Michael says and an accusatory murmur goes up through the arena when they think Michael has referred to ‘here’ as being Australia. Quickly realising what the audience thought it heard, he riffs on it so brilliantly and turns it into a full 5-minute bit – “I don’t just go places and forget where I am”

McIntyre waxes lyrical on a range of topics from family life and living in the country, to meeting Andy Murray, to the horrendous yet hilariously-told tale of the removal of his wisdom teeth. All the while, he strides around the stage bobbing his head causing that delightful hair of his to flail wildly. His enthusiasm is infectious, and the show is a thoroughly entertaining hour and a half which will be sure to leave many (including this reviewer) with sore stomach muscles in the morning.

Reviewed by Steph Bean

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