Laughs on lock _{by Madelaine Empson}

No one has ever accused Australian stand-up comedian Kirsty Webeck of being lost for words. Known the nation over for her upbeat, playful, inclusive, and relatable brand of comedy, she is coming back to Aotearoa to ward off your winter blues with wondrous words that’ll flow faster than your dehumidifier fills. Described by The Perth Diary as “smart, warm, and genuinely funny without being mean-spirited or cynical”, Kirsty’s latest show Lost For Words will lock in the laughs at The Fringe Bar for one night only on Sunday the 9^th of August.

What got you into comedy and what keeps you there?

I got into comedy because there’s no greater joy in life than making people laugh. The travel, the new experiences, and the constant puzzle that is making something funny to a roomful of strangers keeps me there. I really can’t imagine doing anything else with my life. Unless someone wants to pay me to snorkel. 

How do NZ audiences compare and differ from Australian audiences in a stand-up setting?

I find NZ audiences can be a little bit shy to begin with but once you crack them up, there’s no holding them back. They’re warm and welcoming and absolutely up for a laugh. The first time I toured NZ, the shows were full of people who hadn’t even heard of me. They just took a chance on the show. How awesome! 

I've got to come clean: I’m a bit of a cheat when it comes to the NZ sense of humour because my partner’s from NZ. I spend a lot of time with her and her mates who are largely also from NZ, so I’ve got a bit of inside knowledge. 

Please tell me about the inspiration behind Lost For Words.

Lost For Words was inspired by some of the funniest things that happened to me last year. I talk a lot more about my relationship with my partner in this show and it has a very subtle message about the importance of human connection and disconnecting from the rapid advancement of technology that we’re experiencing at the moment. I promise it's funny, though. It’s actually one of my silliest shows yet and people keep saying it’s worth seeing for the Hydralyte joke alone. 

What are you most looking forward to about visiting Wellington again – I heard you love it here!

I’m obsessed with Wellington! I missed the Wellington Botanic Garden last time I was in town due to the weather. So that’s on the list! I’m a bird nerd and I always travel with my binoculars, so I’m hoping to get to Zealandia Te Māra a Tāne this time around, too. Otherwise, I’m excited to see some of my friends, have a belter show because Wellington audiences are a dream, and just wander the lovely streets of your city feeling lucky that I get to visit again!