Dan is also an accomplished character actor with multiple professional theatre, short film and television appearances.
Mostly as a racist. Or a criminal. Or both.
Dan Bain has, without really meaning to, become the old man of Christchurch comedy. He has been involved in almost every comedy venue and club in the city since 2001 when he was one of the founders of the Rocky Cola Comedy Club (recognising this will age you). He also performs as a standup comic, variety act and MC. He is a regular host of Ayla's Angels Burlesque and headline act at Magic Monday, Side Splits Comedy, Crack Up Comedy as well as multiple appearances at clubs throughout New Zealand.
Follow him on Facebook for details of upcoming gigs.
"Bain has a genuinely intellectual style of comedy. ... his jokes are cerebral and original... "
- Theatreview, Orphans of Comedy, Wellington
Dan has worked as a professional improvisor since joining the Court Jesters in 2002. In 2014 after 12 years in the company he was made the Court Jesters Artistic Director and is responsible for the artistic output of Scared Scriptless, Australasia's longest running late night comedy show.
As well as his work for the Court Jesters he has also worked for most of New Zealand's professional improv companies including Playshop (Wellington) The Improvisors (Wellington) and ConArtists (Auckland).
Check out when he's next performing and come along to secretly audition him for your event!
Dan speaks eloquently and amusingly on a variety of subjects including creative collaboration, actual usable tips for public speaking and on being the funniest person in the board room.
Dan is also master hoaxer. His fake presentations and lectures are meticulously crafted in conjunction with you to create the perfect blend of industry knowledge and comic absurdity that will keep your staff or clients second guessing themselves until the very end. An ideal way to break up a long day of conference and make sure people are still paying attention. Each hoax speech is customised to your event in length and scale and can include full powerpoint support.
"Thank you so much for the preparation and presentation, you obviously put a lot of work in to it and it was very funny. In summary BRILLIANT!"
- Dave Callis
Administration Development Manager
ComCare Charitable Trust.
Dan trained for two years at The NZ Circus School, CircoArts, before spending 6 years touring the world as a street entertainer performing on street corners and at many prestigious international festivals including THE SINGAPORE RIVER BUSKERS FESTIVAL, THE HALIFAX BUSKERS FESTIVAL and THE EDMONTON FRINGE.
Nowadays he's a bit more dignified, but he's never forgotten the lessons he learnt from the street and is known to occasionally bust out some unexpectedly high level circus skill to the surprise and delight of all.
“...the very funny Dan Bain, a juggler and escape artist who brings some real laughter with his absurd, bizarre routines...”
Theatreview, Misdemeanours, Auckland
