Dessert, anyone?

MAARTEN HOLL/The Dominion Post

STREET COMEDY: Nic Sando welcomes in the New Zealand International Comedy Festival with a pie in the face from fellow comedian Lucy Edwards.

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As far as comedy goes, it's an oldie but a goodie.

Nic Sando welcomed in the New Zealand International Comedy Festival with a pie in the face from fellow comedian Lucy Edwards.

The pair took to the streets of Wellington yesterday for a couple of hours of what they dubbed the first National Pie in the Face Day.

"It's the most traditional comedy you can think of," Mr Sando said. "The idea was to bring back the laughter during these bleak times of swine flu and the recession."

The tin plates filled with cream, apple and even - perish the thought - hot mince flew from Midland Park to Civic Square as bemused city workers looked on.

Many office workers were initially concerned, but lightened up when they saw it was a joke. "They were shocked that somebody could just do this to one of their own," Mr Sando said, referring to his faintly corporate attire.

Both comedians appear in the festival, which opens in Wellington on Sunday and runs till May 23. Mr Sando is performing in Emissary, a show about the internet. Ms Edwards stars as part of a group act in Breaking the 5th Wall.

The festival features more than 50 shows including international acts Steve Coogan, Dylan Moran and Wayne Brady. It plays in Auckland and Wellington before some performers head off on a national roadshow.

- © Fairfax NZ News