It’s Literally May.
May in New Zealand means one thing - The Nz International Comedy Fest! (Unless you are a musician, then it’s New Zealand Music Month)
I still vividly remember my first Comedy Fest back when I was 21 years old, an original quick change parody play by a friend named Chris Anderson where I played awhole bunch of characters but mainly a knight who didn’t really know what he was doing. Now at the ripe age of ‘much older than 21’ I still don’t know what I’m doing but I’m back in the fest again! I’m producing and performing in my wonderfully bonkers improvised stand-up comedy panel podcast show: The Dice Show!
We unleashed this beast at Ha! Fest in 2019 at the legendary Classic Studio, then took our dice-rolling antics to the Auckland and Whangarei Fringes, where we had some sold out nights!
We were 3 months into a monthly residency at The Classic when the pandemic happened. Since then we've popped up in festivals and around Tamaki Makaurau - including three packed nights (one sold out!) at last year's Comedy Fest.
Honestly, I love this show. It's a thrilling, slightly terrifying, fun and silly night of joy that smooshes together two of my deep loves - improv comedy and not knowing what I’m doing.
I can’t believe that people say yes to doing this show. We roll a giant inflatable die in the air and then improvise stand-up before chatting and being silly. It’s a hard show to explain but as soon as people see it they go ‘oh yeah, thats fun!’.
Over the years, I've been lucky enough to share the Dice Show stage with some wonderful members of the NZ comedy scene, including (deep breath!): Penny Ashton, Tim Batt, Donna Brookbanks, Hannah Campbell, Josiah Day, Ocean Denham, Paul Douglas, China Gonzalez, Keegan Govind, Brendon Green, Brendan Kelly, Mike Kevan, Melissa Lawlor, Liv Mckenzie, Bailey Poching, Edd Rivera, Becky Umbers, Michelle Wiley, and the brilliant Summer Xia!
💜🎲 And this year's ridiculously talented crew is:
Bridget Davies 🇳🇿(7 Days, Bridget Davies- Yeah not too bad thanks how are you? - NZICF)
China Gonzalez 🇲🇽 (Comedy World League: Spanglish Cup & Femmes & Thems Comedy AUCKLAND - NZICF2025)
(me) Steven Lyons 🇳🇿🇺🇸 (Warm up 7 Days & Taskmaster Nz, MCing Loose NZICF and competing in The Pun Battle NZICF)
Sam Smith 🇳🇿 (Co-Winner of The Traitors Nz, 7 Days Head Writer)
David Stuart Comedian 🏴 (Billy T Nominee 2025, The Immortal Legacy of Me - Auckland NZICF 2025)
Summer Xi 🇨🇳 (A lil Chiwi’s Adventure - a standup comedy show NZICF 2025)
🎤 The Dice Show NZICF 2025 - Sat May 3 | 9pm
📍 The Basement Theatre
🎟️ Grab your ticket now before they disappear! 👉
COMING UP IN THE FEST:
It's been a blast MCing work-in-progress shows for the super funny Charlotte Hansen and Geoff Rissole as they gear up for their Comedy Fest show, Loose. Getting back on the MC wagon after a bit of a break has been a joy! 15 months ago my gig warming up tv audience for The Project Nz wrapped up and I really miss connecting with crowds so lets hang out in May! Come join Charlotte, Geoff and me for Loose Wed 14 - Sat 17 May (I’m MCing Wed, Thurs & Fri)
And mark your calendars for Sat May 17th! I'm both thrilled and slightly terrified to be back in the Auckland Pun Championships at Q Theatre! Wish me luck (I'll need it!)
WHAT'S COMING UP FOR LIL STEVIE:
Thurs 1 May: Beats By Bingo at Workshop Bar in Glen Eden (Get your dabbers ready!)
Sat 3 May: The Dice Show: Literally One Night Only (The main event!)
Sat 10 May: CANCELLED - Sadly, no Beats By Bingo at Beer Spot this time, but catch me at The Sweatshop later in May!
Wed 14 - Fri 16 May: MCing Geoff Rissole & Charlotte Hansen - Loose at Q Theatre (Don't miss their hilarious show!)
Sat 17 May: The Pun Battle at Q Theatre (May the best pun win!)
Thurs 22 May: BBB sweatshop brew kitchen public bar show (More Bingo fun!)
Come on down to a show, say hi, and let's share some laughs! It's May, let's make it a month of fun! 😊🎲💜