Comedians bring light relief

Timaru is in for some good laughs in the next few months with two of New Zealand's funniest comedians coming to town.

Ewen "The Westie" Gilmour will perform on Friday June 5 and Mike King on Saturday July 4.

Both shows will be held at Timaru's new No8 Wired Bar on Beswick St.

Since hitting the comedy circuit in 1995, Gilmour has become one of New Zealand's best stand-up comedy performers, with a string of credits in television and the live comedy scene.

He has appeared on television shows such as Here To Stay, Dancing With the Stars, Celebrity Treasure Island and Intrepid Journeys and is a popular star of Pulp Comedy.

He is a regular at comedy galas.

Until 1996 Gilmour did not have a passport, but since he has performed in Montreal, Ireland, Paris, Australia, Brussels, and twice entertained the New Zealand troops in East Timor.

His career highlights include winning the inaugural Billy T James Award and becoming a cultural ambassador for Waitakere City.

More recently, he has been an ambassador for the Children's Charity Variety.

King initially made his name as a stand-up comedian by playing on his Maori origins, but since has attracted a more mainstream audience through his various ventures.

He has appeared in television shows such as Comedy Central, Game of Two Halves, Strassman, TV Bloopers and Practical Jokes, Pulp Comedy and Guess Who's Coming to Dinner.

He has also starred in his own television talk shows called Mike King Tonight and Mike King.

A former chef, he is now the spokesman for New Zealand Pork.

He presents 30-second commercials for quick-fix meals using pork, known as Mike's Meals.

Tickets for both gigs can be purchased from No8 Wired Bar.

- © Fairfax NZ News