Media Release – For Immediate Release AWARD WINNING COMIC FLUSHES OUT HER DEMONS FOR AN HOUR OF COMEDY GOLD!

NEW ZEALAND COMEDY TRUST AND AUCKLAND LIVE IN ASSOC. WITH BUXSTOCK COMEDY MANAGEMENT PRESENT FELICITY WARD WHAT IF THERE IS NO TOILET?

Multi-award winning Australian stand-up comedian, writer, and actor Felicity Ward returns to NZ with a new stand-up show about mental illness, irritable bowel syndrome and her search for the nearest toilet. The deeply personal and outrageously funny What If There Is No Toilet? plays at the Herald Theatre, Aotea Centre, in Auckland from Tuesday 26 – Saturday 30 April, and at San Fran in Wellington on Sunday 1 May as part of the NZ International Comedy Festival powered by Flick Electric Co.

In the six years since Felicity last performed in NZ, she’s stormed the international stage touring numerous solo shows across , Europe and the USA. She has won a number of major comedy awards in Australia including Best Show at both the and Perth Comedy Festivals, and appeared on numerous television shows including The BBC’s The John Bishop Show and Russell Howard's Good News; and on popular Aussie shows Thank God You’re Here, Good News Week, The Ronnie Johns Half Hour and various TV comedy galas. On the big screen, she played the quirky Lizzie in cult UK comedy hit 2 and co-starred in Australian feature film Any Questions for Ben?

What If There Is No Toilet? was written after her Australian documentary on mental health, Felicity’s Mental Mission, was aired on the ABC in 2014. In What If There Is No Toilet? Felicity delves deep and funny into her depression, anxiety, a lame attempt at self-harm, and her longest running relationship: with the toilet.

“This show has been a non-stop romp of connecting with people who thought they were weird. Turns out, there are heaps of us! People with IBS, depression, anxiety…This is not a Debbie Downer show. I don't get better. I just wrote some jokes about it, and it's a lovely way to enjoy being part of a mentally ill community, or to come and see what it is to be mentally ill, in a funny way” says Ward.

Winner – Best Australian Act 2012, Perth Comedy Festival Winner – Time Out Best Local Act 2012, Sydney Comedy Festival Winner – Time Out Best Local Act 2011, Sydney Comedy Festival Winner – Mervyn Stutter’s Spirit of the Fringe Award 2009, Edinburgh Fringe Winner – Best Newcomer 2008, Melbourne Fringe Club Comic of the Year nominee 2016 & 2014, Chortle UK Best Show nominee 2012, Melbourne International Comedy Festival Best Comedy nominee 2012, Adelaide Fringe Festival Best Newcomer nominee 2009, Melbourne International Comedy Festival

“Side-splittingly funny and so honest it hurts” – ★★★★1/2 The Age, AUS

“A filthy high-speed tour of breathless laughs” – ★★★★ The List, UK

“Joyfully Funny” – ★★★★★ Edinburgh Evening News

“Mental illness isn’t supposed to be this much fun” – ★★★★ Chortle, UK

“Brilliantly funny and cathartic” – ★★★★ Fest Mag, UK

WHAT IF THERE IS NO TOILET? AUCKLAND Dates: Tue 26 - Sat 30 April, 8.30pm Venue: Herald Theatre, Aotea Centre, 50 Mayoral Dr Tickets: Full $30, Concession $25, Groups 6+ $25 Cheap Wednesday $24 (service fees apply) Bookings: www.aucklandlive.co.nz

WELLINGTON Dates: Sun 1 May 7pm Venue: San Fran, 171 Cuba St Tickets: $25 - $28 (service fees apply) Bookings: www.iticket.co.nz

As part of the 2016 NZ International Comedy Festival powered by Flick Electric Co. from 22 April - 15 May. For the full line-up of shows in the Festival head to comedyfestival.co.nz

www.felicityward.com

For more information, images and interviews contact: Bex Martelletti at Elephant Publicity 09 368 4180 | [email protected]