Thomas Chapman is very funny. He is an Auckland-based comic who has kept punters in Tamaki Makaurau laughing for the last few years. Thomas was runner up in the Raw Competition in 2020 and won the Best Newcomer in the 2021 Comedy Guild awards. First solo show in NZ following a debut hour in Melbourne and Nelson in 2024. Known international on random open mics in other countries as “I don't know that guy but he seemed pretty good”.
Thomas Chapman walks onstage with a show titled Work Safe, but the title is more of a playful nod than an accurate description of what follows. Beyond a brief opening riff about construction work and the odd workplace mishap, the set quickly shifts into something far more familiar: Thomas talking through the everyday chaos of being young, figuring himself out, and trying to make sense of the world around him. It is classic stand up in its purest form. A mic, a glass of water, and a performer working through the strange, funny, and sometimes confusing parts of life.
Thomas has a relaxed presence onstage. He speaks with an easy rhythm, the kind of tone that makes you feel like you are listening to a friend tell stories at a flat gathering rather than watching a formal comedy show. His material jumps across a wide range of topics. The Olympics, odd jobs, university antics, drug experimentation, relationships, and the general uncertainty of early adulthood all make an appearance. It is a set built from the small, recognisable moments of day-to-day life, stitched together with a sense of curiosity about who he is becoming and what he wants to do next.
There is a youthful exuberance to the way he performs. You can feel that the set is still evolving, that he is still testing ideas, shaping them, and figuring out which parts resonate most. Some jokes land cleanly, others feel like they are still finding their final form, but the overall effect is charming. He has a natural comedic tone, a voice that suits storytelling, and a way of leaning into his own awkwardness that makes the audience warm to him.
One of the recurring elements of the show is Thomas’s tendency to focus on audience members. Sometimes it works beautifully. Other times it pulls him slightly off-track. On the night I attended, he zeroed in on a health and safety worker who happened to be in the crowd, which felt fitting given the show’s title. He also spent a fair amount of time interacting with two moustachioed guys in the front row. These moments created some fun exchanges, but they occasionally overshadowed the material itself. It is clear he enjoys bouncing off the room, but the balance between crowd work and structured content is still settling.
Where Thomas shines is in his ability to tap into nostalgia. He references moments from growing up in New Zealand that hit perfectly for anyone around his age. Childhood memories, school experiences, and the strange cultural quirks that only make sense if you were raised here all weave through the set. For audience members who share that background, the jokes land with a satisfying familiarity. For those who did not grow up in New Zealand, some references may fly past, but the charm of his delivery still carries the moment.
His takes on the Olympics are particularly strong. He has a knack for pointing out the absurdity of the specificities of certain sports and contenders that in this global event we all pretend to understand once every four years. His bit about drying agents is another highlight, delivered with a mix of confusion and confidence that makes the punchlines feel effortless. He also dives into targeted marketing, mainly in his own attempts to bring in an audience to his show. These sections feel polished and well observed, suggesting they are the backbone of the set.
The show has a gentle arc, even if it is not tightly structured. Thomas circles around themes of identity, ambition, and the things that hold him back. He talks about the pressure to choose a path, the fear of making the wrong decision, and the inability to manage time properly. It is not heavy or dramatic, but there is an undercurrent of sincerity that gives the comedy a bit more weight. You get the sense that he is genuinely working through these questions, and the audience is invited along for the ride.
There is also a confidence in the way he performs, even when the material is still finding its shape. He seems comfortable onstage, especially in front of people he knows. That familiarity gives him a boost, but it can also create a slight disconnect for those who are not part of his personal circle. Some jokes rely on shared history or inside references that land harder for his peers than for the general audience. It is a common challenge for emerging comedians, and one he will likely refine as he continues to perform for broader crowds.
Despite the occasional uneven moment, the set delivers plenty of laughs. Thomas has a likeable presence, a strong voice, and a clear sense of humour. His material is grounded in real life, relatable, and delivered with an honesty that makes even the simpler jokes feel genuine. He is not trying to be edgy or shocking. He is simply trying to make sense of the world in front of a room full of people, and there is something refreshing about that.
Work Safe may not be the most thematically cohesive show, but it does not need to be. It is a snapshot of a comedian in motion, building his craft, testing his ideas, and learning how to shape his stories. There is potential here, and plenty of room for growth. With more stage time and a bit more structural refinement, Thomas Chapman could easily develop into a strong, consistent voice in the New Zealand comedy scene.
For now, Work Safe is a fun, easygoing hour that offers a mix of nostalgia, observational humour, and youthful honesty. It is not groundbreaking, but it is enjoyable, and it leaves you curious to see where Thomas goes next.
The show is part of the NZ International Comedy Festival. Find tickets to a show near you here
Review written by Alex Moulton