Vance’s life to be revealed
Greg Ellis will be crooning his way into the hearts of Wellingtonians thanks to a $10,000 grant.
The Titahi Bay man has received a Creative Comedy Initiative grant, which is given to two comedy acts annually to help fund shows.
Ellis is using the grant to stage a cabaret show, Vance Fontaine in Command Performance, during the Comedy Festival which began last Friday.
Ellis’ show runs from May 8 to 12 at Bats.
‘‘Vance is the first Kiwi to make it big in Vegas and this is his life story,’’ Ellis said. ‘‘I’ll be wearing a white sequinned suit and singing. It’ll be worth paying the money for the show just to see that costume.’’
Although Ellis has performed a few solo shows, this will be his first fulllength solo musical.
‘‘ The musicians are a fantastic bunch. I don’t have to worry quite so much about everything because they are just so good,’’ he said.
Ellis is part of the Improvisors, a theatre sports troupe, who will also be performing at the festival.
Their show, History Never Repeats, starting today, will weave together tales from the past, present and future.
‘‘Each scene will go way back in time and then forward, then back again,’’ Ellis said. ‘‘It will be a really cool challenge for us.’’
Other comedians listed to perform at this year’s comedy festival include Steve Wrigley, Ben Hurley, Raybon Kan, Guy Williams and Rhys Darby. The comedy festival runs until May 20.
See comedyfestival.co.nz.