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Michele A'Court - Gold Elite Speaker

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Michele was recently named the female Comedian of the Decade at the 2010 Comedy Awards, an honour which is certainly a highlight for the hilarious corporate entertainer.

From NZ television to National Radio, pubs to theatres, corporate functions to live television, Michèle A’Court has forged a thoroughly deserved reputation as one of New Zealand’s funniest women. Her unmatchable audience rapport, cut-throat honesty and razor sharp delivery have reduced audiences to uncontrollable laughter, even when the subject of the joke is themselves.

Michele's solo show, "Heritage 101", was awarded Best Show Concept at the Oddfellows NZ International Comedy Festival in 2005, during which time she also hosted the Comedy Convoy throughout NZ.

Other recent festivals include the 2004 Edinburgh Fringe and the 2004 Melbourne International Comedy Festival, and every NZ International Comedy Festival since it's inception 12 years ago. Michele was the winner of the NZ Comedy Guild Awards as Best Female Comedian from 2002 to 2006 and was a regular on television’s Pulp Comedy for the past nine years. She hosted the Laugh! Festival Big Comedy Gala 2000 on TV2, has hosted the female comedians' showcase Divas annually in both Auckland and Wellington, and hosted New Zealand’s comedy Oscars, The Billy T Awards on TV2 in 1998. Her earlier work is currently screening on the Comedy Channel in Australia.

With a degree in English Literature and Drama (1983), Michèle was for two years the Auckland Correspondent for the highbrow "Sunday" radio programme, and is a regular book reviewer on National Radio's Nine till Noon programme, and social commentator on the Panel with Jim Mora. With a NZ Certificate in Journalism (1979) she’s a freelance journalist for a number of national magazines and newspapers including Next, OnHoliday, She, Pet, Bride&Groom, and a columnist for NZ Political Review.

In 2003, Michèle toured New Zealand in the sell-out, big theatre season of the stage play, "Mum's the Word" (Volcanic Productions) alongside international actors Blythe Duff (Taggart) and Victoria Alcock (Bad Girls), and NZ actors Jackie Clarke, Tahei Simpson (the Matrix) and Rebecca Hobbs (Shortland Street).

She has several years’ experience of performing at corporate functions as a host and entertainer. Michèle has several times presented the NZ Chamber Music Awards, and the NZ Tourism Awards where her “professionalism, expertise and wit” as MC were acknowledged as “major factors in the success” of the events. Other clients have included finance brokers, publishers, travel companies, secondary school teachers, truck drivers, pharmaceutical companies and produce growers.

Michèle has performed in a huge number of celebrity debates over the past eight years including regular appearances for the Dunedin and Christchurch festivals, the Northshore Libraries Foundation, Plunket and the Peace Foundation.

Michèle visited East Timor in March 2001 where she entertained NZ and United Nations troops – an experience she described as “life-changing and world-expanding”. In January 2002, Michèle performed a special workshop and show for the teenage Afghani refugees rescued from the Tampa. Michèle is the President of the NZ Comedy Guild, the union for professional stand-up comedians. She was, for a number of years, on the Board of the NZ Comedy Trust which administers the annual International Comedy Festival in New Zealand. For her work in supporting and assisting comedians, Michèle won the Best Industry Friend Award 2003 from the NZ Comedy Guild.

Michele’s television credits include: What Now?, the Video Dispatch, Pulp Comedy, Shortland Street, A Bit After Ten, Strassman, Kiwi Shorts, Letter to Blanchy, Issues, Comedy Central, That Comedy Show, Really Living, a regular slot in 1998 as a rugby reporter for Friday Night Football on Sky Sport, and an endless list of game shows such as Ready Steady Cook and Give Us a Clue.

Michele is often dubbed the ‘Princess Royal’ of New Zealand Comedy and is also an accomplished and sought after corporate MC, facilitator and presenter.


Testimonials

  • Michele was a delight to have and I have had many emails and calls to say what a great choice we had made. She could really read the audience and her lovely bright personality made her popular with everyone. She helped to make our evening a great success.—Soroptimist International of Invercargill

  • Michele more than fulfilled our expectations as a keynote Speaker – she captured the audience,
    constructed her speech/performance around issues relevant to the Chartiable Trust involved
    and to the audience that were present. Michele was hilarious, genuinely warm, and totally
    professional. Feedback has been all positive and I have been congratulated on the choice
    of guest speaker.—Friends of True Colours

  • Michele always exceeds our expectations. The audience love, love, loved her! We would use her for all our jobs if we could get away with it!—Insight Consultants

  • The audience loved Michele and has been repeating some of her jokes and comments. Michele was very professional and easy to work with.—Energiser NZ Ltd

  • Michele held the attention of the audience throughout her presentation. The audience reaction was very positive - a good mixture of wisdom and humour.—Tauhara College

  • Michele was a brilliant choice for our group of Retail Managers. She is witty, fun but also very professional. Highly recommend her! The audience thought she was brilliant. She kept them alive and excited.—Amcal Chemists

  • Michele was on fabulous form. Her enthusiasm, professionalism and performance were spot on the money. Everyone had a fabulous time and all were thoroughly entertained. Michele was approachable and had everything under control - we would not hesitate to recommend or book Michele again.—Finance Now



Favourite quotes

  • "I like marriage, I like it so much I've done it twice. Divorce is OK. Of course, it's better if they die"
    "I'm coming back in my next life as a man. I want to know what it's like to use the remote control. I want to believe in the fairy who comes to clean the bathroom"

  • Michele was superb – her humour and professionalism made the night a success and she is so lovely to deal with.—NZICA


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