November: Comedian Of The Month #34, Rose Matafeo
Each Comedian of the Month on MoodyComedy is a comic who has never previously featured on the website. Reasons for selection can include various current projects the comedian is involved with, or perhaps recent appearances on television programmes or podcasts. There is no strict criteria however, as Comedian of the Month simply stands as a collection of recommendations, highlighting interesting and original aspects of certain comedians and their work.
New Zealand comedian and actor Rose Matafeo was first brought to my attention upon her appearance as a panellist on the latest series of Have I Got News For You. I imagine this is the same for many watchers of primarily British comedy, unless you happened to catch her at 2016’s Edinburgh Fringe Festival performing her highly acclaimed show Rose Matafeo is Finally Dead.
Rose’s comedy is fun, youthful and well-crafted. She effortlessly reels people in with her quietly confident charm, bringing an air of excitement to stage alongside an assurance that this performer knows what she is doing. Her occasional droll remarks allude to a darker, sarcastic side, which makes for an interesting balancing act between silliness and astute personal reflection.
Rose Matafeo
It seems that Matafeo is somewhat of an internet sensation in New Zealand, with many peculiar YouTube videos (such as her series Feline Fine) and her ‘speed dating’ interviews with some of the biggest names in American comedy such as Amy Schumer (Inside Amy Schumer, Trainwreck) and Saturday Night Live‘s Bill Hader. Rose also spent over two years as a presenter on U Live on New Zealand TV.
With a bright and exciting energy, Rose Matafeo is an artist I look forward to seeing more of as her influence on the British comedy scene increases, which I have no doubt it will.
For more information, follow Rose Matafeo on Twitter.