Newspaper Article 2008 – Gagging for it

Life’s a barrel of laughs for this mayor

Gagging for it

He may be the Mayor of Invercargill but Tim Shadbolt is always up for a night on the town with a few gags, writes HINERANGI VAIMOSO.

YOU can’t help but smile when Tim Shadbolt’s glaring back at you so imagine the pain in your face when Shadbolt does stand-up comedy.

“You know me, I always like to inject a bit of comedy in anything I do,” Shadbolt said, with his famously-infectious chuckle.

Invercargill’s mayor teams up with Kiwi comedy legend Gary McCormick tonight for ‘A Barrel of Laughs’ at the Loading Ramp in Havelock North.

And if you can’t get a foot in the door at the Loading Ramp tonight, the duo are set to perform at the Sherenden Hall as part of a fundraiser for the local primary school.

Shadbolt and McCormick have had people in fits of laughter on-and-off for the past 30 years doing shows with the likes of fellow comedian Jeanette McDonald, the ever- entertaining and profound poet Sam Hunt and radio broadcaster Kim Hill.

“It’s funny, you know. You can sit in a council meeting and be able to know what happens next. You know who’s going to say what and you expect to go about that way,” Shadbolt explained.

“Being in front of a crowd is completely different. You’ve got to be able to read the crowd and it can be tough.

“Especially when you’re on stage with this lot. You never know what’s going to happen, who’s going to say what and where the story is headed. It definitely keeps you sharp.”

And with characters as strong as these on stage, it’s bound to be a good show.

“We’re always trying to shut each other up and there can sometimes be a few heated debates and real power struggles between ‘parties’, but that’s what makes it fun,” he said.

Info

When:   7.30 tonight or 7.30 tomorrow night
Where:   Tonight – Loading Ramp, Havelock North. Tomorrow- Shereden [Sherenden] Hall, Taihape Road, Hastings
Cost:   Tonight – $30 Tomorrow- $50 (wine and light supper included)
Phone:   Shereden and Districts School (06) 874 3738 to book for tomorrow night.

Photo caption – LAUGH AND A HALF: You’ll laugh so hard it hurts when the smile from Southland’s Tim Shadbolt hits town tonight.