If you’re the kind of person who cringes a little bit at the thought of stand up comedy (Will it be funny? Will it just be a guy standing on a stage making awkward jokes?) then you need not fear! 

Dan Nightingale was a wonderful reprieve from the “Awkward Comedian”. His observational humor was honest and frank, and completely relatable. The venue – Q Vault – is an intimate space with limited seating which forces audience interaction. Whilst most would find this a tad intimidating, preferring to hide in the depths of a darkened crowd, you don’t need to worry. Dan’s interaction was inclusive and didn’t make you feel like the dick in the front row.

His musings on life were frank, and you really did find yourself nodding in agreement (or like me, staring down at your boyfriend as he laughed his ass off about quips relating to OCD and general cleanliness). We learned a lot about Dan’s awesome granddad and the way he saw himself ageing. Dan’s thoughts on love were bounced to the audience through recounts of his interactions with his nephew, and it was hard not to feel for him during poignant awww moments. Then he’d break that tension with a reminder that everything is fine as long as you’ve got a drink in your hand and a mate to laugh with.

All in all, a fantastic show akin to a night out on the piss with your best mate. You really do end up feeling like Dan is your most tragic, endearing and lovable best friend. Highly recommended, go and check him out!

You can catch Dan Nightingale's On Love, On Life & On The North Island show at Auckland's Vault at Q Theatre from May 14th to May 18th.