10th April 2026
Some comedy feels like a performance. Some comedy feels like being invited into a friendship already in progress.
The Bridie & Rebecca Variety Show (but it’s just Rebecca & Bridie) sits beautifully in that second space. Created and performed by Bridie Thomson and Rebecca Mary Gwendolon, the show brings together stand-up, sketch, improv, hosting, audience games and the kind of joyful chaos that only works when two performers genuinely trust each other.
Bridie and Rebecca first met at an open mic comedy night in 2023, both wearing the same outfit: overalls and a green cardigan. For most people, that would be a funny coincidence. For Bridie and Rebecca, it became the beginning of a comedy duo.
Now, they are taking that friendship to the stage in a show about show business, adult responsibilities, lost whimsy and what happens when your Funny Business starts getting very serious.
At Collaborate, we love seeing performers build work that feels original, personal and deeply connected to the audience. Bridie is exactly that kind of artist. With more than 15 years of stage and screen experience, they bring sharp comic instincts, character work, absurdity and warmth into everything they do. Their background spans improv, clowning, stand-up, screen work, voice work and live performance, giving them the kind of range that makes a show like this feel alive from moment to moment.
The show also reflects the inclusive comedy space Bridie has been building through Comedy Culture NZ. As the founder of Comedy Culture NZ, Bridie has helped create room for diverse voices in Aotearoa comedy, including the sold-out Femmes & Thems Comedy at Auckland Fringe. That same spirit runs through The Bridie & Rebecca Variety Show: generous, playful, queer, warm and unafraid to be ridiculous.
A recent review from Black Guard Media Reviews highlighted the pair’s natural chemistry, infectious energy and commitment to bringing the audience into the world of the show. Reviewer Josh McNally described Bridie and Rebecca as “a duo to keep an eye on,” noting their creativity, confidence and willingness to experiment.
That is the heart of the show. It is not trying to be slick in the traditional sense. It is trying to be fun. It asks the audience to play, to be a little silly, and to remember that adults are still allowed to enjoy things like games, whimsy and low-stakes chaos.
Bridie and Rebecca have already been recognised within the comedy community, with wins at the NZ Comedy Guild Awards 2025 for Best Producer and Best Live Show for Femmes & Thems. The NZ International Comedy Festival listing also places the show firmly in the world of sketch, improv, stand-up and joyful live comedy.
For anyone looking for new comedy in Auckland, queer comedy in Aotearoa, or performers who can make a room feel included rather than simply entertained, The Bridie & Rebecca Variety Show is one to catch.
And for casting directors, producers, brands and event organisers watching Bridie Thomson’s trajectory, this show is another reminder of their versatility. Bridie is a comedian, actor, improviser, voice artist and creative force with a strong point of view and a clear commitment to accessible, inclusive storytelling.
The Bridie & Rebecca Variety Show (but it’s just Rebecca & Bridie) is on this May as part of the NZ International Comedy Festival. Book tickets through the festival or Basement Theatre listings, and keep an eye on Bridie Thomson as one of Aotearoa’s most exciting emerging comedy voices.
To enquire about working with Bridie Thomson, contact Collaborate Management.
© 2026 Collaborate NZ
