Festival of Christmas: Cocktails & Comedy

The Greytown Distilling Company is bringing world-class stand-up comedy to Greytown once again! See award-winning Kiwi comedians perform live by the fireplace at The White Swan every Wednesday throughout July. The comedian lineup for 2023 is Ben Hurley, Justine Smith, Alan McElroy, Samantha Hannah and Tony Lyall.

Each evening includes a sumptuous two-course dinner, Greytown Distilling Company Gin Cocktail, and 45 minutes of belly-laughing entertainment. With strictly limited tickets they’ll sell out fast!

Wednesday 5th July - Justine Smith

Those who know Justine, or have seen her perform, will know she does not suffer fools gladly. Her charming and expressive performance takes her audience along the journey with her, while never far from a punch line or a subtle gag using the raising of an eyebrow.

Justine is recognised for her appearances on everything from the Comedy Gala and AotearoHA to her memorable appearances on TV3's After Hours and Funny Girls, as well as a regular panellist on TV3's 7 Days and a writer on Rhys Darby’s Short Poppies.

A leading light of New Zealand Comedy, Justine is just as comfortable in a theatre or a local bar in the country.

Wednesday 12th July - Alan McElroy and Samantha Hannah

Alan McElroy is an award-winning Irish comedian, living in New Zealand. He is fresh from a sold-out run with The Full Irish & The Comedy Pub Crawl at Melbourne International Comedy Festival and is also a regular guest on RNZ’s The Panel. Alan has performed at the Edinburgh Fringe, and Electric Picnic & performed to sold-out crowds around New Zealand with his Irish & Scottish comedy show, Booze & Craic.

“Excellent Irish storyteller performing an hilarious night of comedy” Funny Tonne, Melbourne International Comedy Festival

Samantha Hannah. After a 5 year hiatus, Scottish Comedian Samantha Hannah blasted back onto the comedy scene in 2018 by trying to find a husband in a year and then writing a show about it. Imaginatively titled ‘How to Find a Husband in a Year’, this social-experiment-meets-stand-up-show saw her plastered across UK national news after meeting her perfect match 12000 miles away via Tinder while she was in New Zealand and he (a Kiwi) was in the UK.

“A talented raconteur” - Fringe Biscuit
“Expert stand up throughout“ - Chortle
“One of the funniest ladies on the planet” - Remote Goat

Wednesday 19th July - Ben Hurley
As seen on The Project, Seven Sharp, and more.

With a massive but hugely likeable stage presence, Hurley can win over even the toughest room. A sharp improvisational mind and well-honed original material make Hurley a popular act with audiences and critics alike.

Wednesday 26th July - Tony Lyall
Tony Lyall is one of New Zealand's most exciting comedians. Having performed up and down the country, Tony's mix of high-energy storytelling, off-the-cuff crowd work and general good times vibe make him a crowd favourite on any stage he appears on.

Tony is a stand-up comedian, head writer and reporter on The Project, is a member of the hugely popular Alternative Commentary Collective and has performed twice in the NZ International Comedy Festival Gala. He has performed 4 solo hours as part of the NZ International Comedy Festival and toured those shows to various cities in NZ.

Originally from Blenheim in the South Island, Tony now lives in West Auckland with his wife, three kids and his Mazda Demio.