Dan Bain is an award-winning stand-up comedian, writer, and theatre-maker with over 20 years of experience performing throughout New Zealand and internationally. Based in Ōtautahi Christchurch, Dan's comedy is known for its intelligence, precision, and originality, blending sharp observational wit with surreal tangents and tightly crafted material. The former Artistic Director of The Court Jesters, co-creator of Perfuct Storm, and regular headliner at Good Times Comedy Club, Dan has received numerous awards including Best NZ Play 2024, Best Comic at the Nelson Fringe Festival 2024 and multiple Christchurch Comedy Awards.

In May 2025 he filmed his three stand-up specials back-to-back in one night — Would You Like Me More If I Was Less Like Me?, Anxiety Knife, and Variations on the Same Joke — showcasing the breadth and depth of his comedic voice. These hours range from autobiographical exploration to a high-concept deconstruction of the form. They will be released late 2025.

Outside of live comedy, Dan’s podcast Sleepy Time Mumbles has reached global audiences with its unique fusion of absurdist monologue and soporific performance. Whether on stage, on air, or on the page, his work continues to push comedic boundaries while remaining grounded in the performer–audience relationship.”

AWARDS