Albert Belz - Funny As Interview

A dry spell on the acting front saw Albert Belz turn his hand to writing for theatre and television. In this Funny As interview, the award-winning playwright and screenwriter talks about Māori comedy and other topics, including:

• Initially pursuing acting, after getting roles on Shortland Street and Hercules
• Catching Mike King's first ever stand-up gig, and thinking he was "amazing"
• How the comedy of Billy T James "represented that Pākehā and Māori world that he'd been dancing between all the time"
• The growing confidence of Māori and Pacific Island performers, as they feel "more affirmed in where we are on the ground that we're standing on"

This interview was recorded for 2019 TV series Funny As: The Story of New Zealand Comedy. All audiovisual content is copyright to Augusto, and may not be reproduced. Publication of Funny As extended interviews made possible with funding from the NZ Lotteries Grants Board.