New Years Eve at the Ballina RSL has fast gained a reputation for being one of the best-value nights on the coast.
Comedian Mandy Nolan who hosts the regular monthly Big Gig comedy nights puts on the glitz for an all-out hands-down knock-out comedy show that will see audiences laugh their way into 2014.
This year she welcomes internationally renowned Hung Le, ex-Casino boy Chris Radburn and comedy hypnotist Wayne Donnelly.
‘I am hoping we can get a few people to go off like crackers at midnight!’ she says. ‘This is a great night, and you not only get three amazing acts that take you through until midnight, you also get a two-course meal.’
Headlining this year is Hung Le, the world’s best, first and tallest Vietnamese comic. He promises to spin your mind, dazzle your imagination and awaken your funny zones.
On April 29, 1975, the last day of the Vietnam war, a nine-year-old boy jumped onto a leaking prawn trawler on the Saigon River with a box of dried biscuits and some seasick pills.
He managed to survive thirst and hunger and to cheat death to become one of the first Vietnamese boat people to land in Australia.
He has made a name for himself in the comedy scene, a favourite at Montreal Comedy Festival, Edinburgh Festival and Melbourne International Comedy Festival. He has also made numerous TV appearances – the most notable being in The Wogboy, Fat Pizza, True Love and Chaos and Sensitive New Age Killer. Hung is also an author, musician, clown and actor and his first book, The Yellow Peril from Sin City, was released through Penguin.
His second, a children’s book, BarryNoodles & DAKillerBs is with Random House.
Also appearing is former lawyer Chris Radburn – an Aussie comedian who has earned a reputation for clever and cheeky observations that are relatable, original and hilarious.
Chris was handpicked to perform with US comedy superstars Weird Al Yankovic and Rob Schneider on their Australian tours in 2011. Internationally, Chris has impressed audiences in America, at the world renowned New York’s Gotham Comedy Club, in New Zealand, Malaysia, on P&O Cruises in the South Pacific and as part of Three Forces Entertainment tours to the Solomon Islands, Egypt and Dubai to entertain the Australian troops. Chris was invited to perform on NBC’s Last Comic Standing in Miami, USA, where he finished as an international finalist in 2008. As a Casino-born boy, Chris always looks forward to his home gigs.
As a bit of a special treat Big Gig lovers get a little taste of their subconscious minds with hypnotist Wayne Donnelly.
Of course while we all adore sitting back and watching our best friends fall in love with a mop, or dance like a chicken, there is some fear for volunteers that they might embarrass themselves.
‘No-one is in control of your mind except you,’ says Wayne. ‘I am making suggestions. If I suggest anything that goes against your personal values, you won’t do it. I can’t take over control of people’s minds – and as far as embarrassing or humiliating people – why would I do that? People wouldn’t come back!’
Find yourself laughing your way into a brand-new year at the Ballina RSL on Tuesday December 31.
Doors 6.45pm. Two-course dinner and show at 7.30pm. Tix $62.90 and table of 10 $59.90 p/p.
Tix at 6686 2544 or ballinarsl.com.au.
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