The comedy Ben Hurley's Planet Earth World premieres at Dunedin Fringe Festival.
In the one-hour show, Hurley faces the challenge of talking about the world's 195 sovereign states.
‘‘I had lofty plans when I was a young comedian to go and play a gig at every single country in the world, and I've done a few, but family, kids and TV panel shows get in the way, and that is possibly not going to happen, so this is my attempt to bring the world to me.''
In the show, the poorest and drunkest nation in Europe will be revealed.
‘‘If you saw this country in the street, you'd throw change at it.''
The 2004 Billy T Award winner said the show was not his usual traditional style of stand-up comedy.
‘‘It's not pure stand-up. It's definitely got a bit more thought involved but it's still funny . . . there's music, there's a lot of silliness and irreverence.''
Hurley had performed in Dunedin before, including streaking in the opening segments of recordings of comedy game-show 7 Days at Forsyth Barr Stadium.
‘‘I think I am the only person to legally streak across a major sporting stadium in New Zealand.''
He performed at the festival once before - in 2008 - to premier his show Boom!.
The show won the Fred Dagg Award at the New Zealand International Comedy Festival.
Hurley chose Dunedin to premiere his new show because he was a fan of the festival and attended last year as an audience member.
‘‘It has a really cool vibe . . . Dunedin audiences are very savvy and smart.''
You may not have visited every country, Mr Hurley, but flattery will get you everywhere.
The comedy Ben Hurley's Planet Earth World is on tonight at Festival Club and ends on Saturday.
