It might be a hidden-away Queenstown bar, but Christchurch-based promoter Dan Brader’s also established Searchlight Brewery as a go-to venue for stand-up comedy.
Tonight he’s hosting “The Scottish Kiwi”, Ryah McGhee, at the brewery, then next Friday he’s organising a one-off comedy competition.
Brader, who cut his comedy teeth in Perth, Australia, has made a name for his edgy humour in New Zealand and Australia – he’s been called a “one-of-a-kind performer known for his brutally-scathing gags and raw, confessional eyebrow-raising storytelling”.
Because it’s a tough industry to earn a living in, he says, like many comedians, he’s also got into promoting.
“You get more shows to yourself, obviously, and then for your friends, you make more money because you’re the guy, or the girl, taking the risk.”
Brader first got into promoting in Melbourne, Australia, in 2008, running a weekly comedy gig.
He says an American comedian who lives in Dunedin happened to visit Searchlight Brewery, off Industrial Place, and thought it’d be a good venue – “and they were up for it”.
He’s been organising mostly monthly ‘Blowout Comedy’ shows there since after the 2020 lockdown.
“It’s just kind of a perfect little ‘comedy family’, which doesn’t happen often – they’re usually pretty dysfunctional.”
In summer months the show goes outside so more people can be accommodated.
Brader says he’s usually “the de facto MC, but I’ll often do spots or close a show, too”.
“But I’m trying to vary it up a little bit just so it’s not me all the time.”
He says McGhee, who’s performing tonight – “a Scottish gay guy who proudly identifies as gay” – is “a real up-and-comer who’s really going places”.
“He does solo shows all over NZ and just did one at the Sydney Comedy Festival, and that went down really well.”
McGhee will be supported by comedians Sean Tinker and Marielle McBrien.
Then, next Friday, Brader’s organising the first ‘Blowout Comedy Competition’.
“It’s open to everyone, but I’ll capt it at maybe 15 comedians, tops.”
Unlike most comedy comps, the judges will be the audience.
“You never know who the crowd’s going to like, unless someone brings 50 of their mates, then it’s obviously going to be that guy or girl.”
The first-placed comedian will win at least $300, “but it could be more depending on how many people show up”.
Speaking of crowds, Brader says the Aussie ones are much more rowdy.
“Usually, Kiwis are too polite to heckle, and when they heckle it’s ‘go on, mate, you’re doing alright’ – encouraging heckles.”
Ryan McGhee, ‘The Scottish Kiwi’, Searchlight Brewery, tonight, 7pm, tickets $15, eventfinda; Blowout Comedy Competition, Searchlight Brewery, November 27, 7pm. Tickets $15, via eventfinda
