Laughter, they say, is the best medicine and there was plenty of that medicine dished up at the Devaar woolshed at The Key on Saturday night.

In what has become a tradition for the Macdonald family for the last 13 years, their woolshed has become a legendary venue amongst some of New Zealand’s top comedians and the best of international acts that have previously visited New Zealand for the annual Auckland Comedy festival and in the process has raised thousands of dollars for the district from ticket sales.

The idea for ‘Comedy in the Woolshed’ began sprung a from friendship established between school friends Fiona Macdonald and Bridget Blanks.

Advertisement

Advertise on the Southland App

Mrs Blanks husband, Scott Blanks, helped launch the New Zealand stand up comedy scene in the 1980s and also runs the well known Classic Comedy Club on Queen Street in Auckland.

The long-term friendship led to visits to the Devaar Station and Mr Blanks said the Macdonald’s woolshed was a pretty unique venue with a great reputation amongst his colleagues for the district’s hospitality and the great audiences they usually attract and as a result he has never had any trouble getting top lineups for the charity performances staged there.

This year is a bit different he said, with the borders being closed because of COVID-19.

Jeremy Corbett, Paul Ego, Justine Smith and Paul Douglas made up this year’s lineup with no international acts available.

Advertisement

Advertise on the Southland App

But it’s a family affair on the farm, when organisers mum and dad Fiona and James Macdonald were joined this year by daughter Kate who has taken the organising baton and produced another sellout show.

Ms Macdonald said they hoped to raise twenty thousand dollars this year from the tickets, an auction pamper and wellness package and refreshment sales.

The proceeds will be channeled to Fiordland’s emergency services via the local Rotary International Branch.