Two Chrises. Two comedians. One election. As New Zealand prepares to head to the polls, Pōneke comedians Mo Munn and Austin Harrison are bringing politics to the stage in a gloriously irreverent election comedy cabaret.
Christopher Luxon and Chris Hipkins might be battling it out for the country's top job, but they're also providing plenty of material for The CHRIStening, a one-night-only spectacle of satire, sketches, songs and downright silliness at The Hannah Playhouse on 30 October.
The creative minds behind this political circus are Mo Munn, winner of Best Joke at the 2025 Wellington Comedy Awards, and Austin Harrison, winner of Best Newcomer at the 2026 NZ Comedy Festival.
Both are familiar faces on Wellington's comedy scene, and both have a healthy appetite for political absurdity. Together, they're preparing to turn the country's political landscape into something that's equal parts ridiculous, revealing, and funny.
From the public service to political punchlines
For Mo Munn, The CHRIStening represents something of a creative liberation.
A seasoned stand-up comedian and former public servant, Mo spent years navigating the boundaries between her professional responsibilities and her appetite for political comedy. Working in government came with obligations that limited the political material she could bring to the stage.
Now, no longer working in the public sector, she's relishing the opportunity to put that experience to creative use.
Political comedy is hardly a new invention, especially during an election year. But Mo and Austin wanted to find a fresh and engaging way to present it, moving beyond conventional stand-up to create something more theatrical, unpredictable, and entertaining.
Enter the cabaret.
A little bit of everything (and everyone)
Rather than a traditional narrative-driven theatre production, The CHRIStening embraces the freedom of cabaret, bringing together short sketches, stand-up, musical moments, satire, and absurdist snippets.
The result is a collection of bite-sized political observations, with enough variety to keep the audience guessing about what's coming next.
"I think variety is incredibly important in a show," says Mo.
"How can we make sure people are engaged? We're hitting quite a few different kinds of interests or comedy styles in one show."
It's a format that allows the pair to explore multiple ideas without being constrained by a single storyline, taking audiences on a wild ride through the peculiar personalities and happenings of New Zealand politics.
And while the two Chrises might take top billing, they're certainly not the only politicians in the firing line.
Mo and Austin have made a conscious effort to spread the satirical love across the political spectrum, with other major parties and political personalities also finding themselves in the spotlight.
No one is entirely safe from The CHRIStening treatment.
Holding up a mirror and having a good ol’ laugh
There's a fine art to political satire, Mo explains, particularly when real-life politics can feel almost too absurd to parody.
But for her, comedy has an important role beyond simply getting a laugh.
"I think it's the important role, initially, that comedy has in holding up a mirror to society. So whether that be politics or whether it be personal things that are happening or themes and trends we're kind of seeing happen as society shifts and changes."
It's a medium that allows artists to tackle difficult, divisive or uncomfortable subjects in ways that audiences might find more approachable than a political debate or serious drama.
"A lot of the content covered can be quite dark or quite controversial. But the way that comedy is packaged means that people come in expecting a laugh, expecting to get something off their chest."
And with politics becoming increasingly polarised, perhaps there's something particularly valuable about sharing a laugh at the absurdity of it all.
"Comedy is all about building and releasing tension."
For audiences, that release can be just as important as the commentary itself. Comedy creates room for reflection without demanding agreement, and offers a chance to recognise the ridiculousness of situations that might otherwise leave us feeling frustrated or overwhelmed.
Two political nerds, one stage
Although Mo and Austin have collaborated extensively through Wellington's comedy and improvisation scene, The CHRIStening marks their first outing as a performing duo.
Their established creative relationship, coupled with a shared fascination for politics, provides a strong foundation for the show.
"We've got a lot of experience performing together, particularly through PopRox. So we know that we have different senses of humour and different styles of comedy, which I think will be good for a show like this."
Beyond their creative chemistry, there's another thing that brings them together.
"We're both kind of political nerds."
The pair have spent plenty of time discussing politics, political comedy, and their desire to see more of it happening in Wellington.
They've welcomed a noticeable resurgence of politically engaged performance in the capital, with productions such as PSA at Circa Theatre and other recent comedy shows, like Now Hear This at The Hannah, helping to put political commentary back in the artistic spotlight.
For Mo and Austin, The CHRIStening is another contribution to that conversation, with their own distinctive brand of silliness; tackling the entire show themselves, taking on a colourful cast of political characters along the way.
An invitation to the opposition
We couldn’t help but ask, would Mo be nervous if either of the real-life Chrises turned up in the audience?
"Honestly, kind of. But I think it'd be quite fun to have them there."
Having seen political figures embrace other satirical productions, Mo isn't particularly worried about offending those in power.
"I think we might invite a couple of local politicians to see if they're interested."
And if the country's political leaders do happen to find themselves in the front row?
"It wouldn't freak me out. I know that much."
Whether you're a political junkie, a comedy lover, or someone who's simply had enough of election campaigning, The CHRIStening promises a welcome opportunity to laugh at the madness before it all gets too real.
The CHRIStening: An Election Comedy Cabaret | Friday 30 October 2026
Created and performed by Mo Munn and Austin Harrison
Tickets: $30 adult (+ booking fees), $25 unwaged/concession (+ booking fees).