Jon Gadsby
John Gadsby

Professional After Dinner Speaker, Comedian and MC.

Based in Christchurch, Canterbury New Zealand.
Available locally and internationally.

Veteran of the hit TV show McPhail and Gadsby. One of New Zealand's best known comedians.

Jon Gadsby is perhaps best known as one half of New Zealand's funniest duo, McPhail and Gadsby. He has also starred in the home grown comedy show "Issues", and with David McPhail and Peter Rowley in "A Letter to Blanchy".

Jon experienced his first stage successes in student reviews while studying law at Otago University. He left university in his final year to work for Radio Dunedin, before teaming up with David McPhail on the very successful satire shows 'A Week Of It' and the long running and still current, 'McPhail and Gadsby'.

In 1981 "McPhail and Gadsby" won the "Best Television Entertainment Programme" Award and Jon was voted the Best Television Entertainer jointly with David McPhail. 1984 saw Jon play the role of John Norton in the remake of 'Mutiny on the Bounty' with Anthony Hopkins and Mel Gibson and in 1985 Jon worked with Robert Morley and Sir Robert Helpmann in 'Second Time Lucky'.

During this time Jon's writing talent came to the fore including regular scripts for 'McPhail and Gadsby', two series of a situation comedy 'Rabbiter's Rest'. In addition Jon has written over 20 best selling children's books.

Jon's credits as series writer and performer include 'The New Adventures of Black Beauty', 'More Issues' and 'Issues' .
Jon was awarded the Queen's Service Medal (QSM) for Public Services to Broadcasting in the New Years Honours List in 1992.
In 1996 Jon, David McPhail and A K Grant won the award at The TV Guide Film and Television Awards for Best Writers on the series "Letter to Blanchy".

John Gadsby is a unique performer, whose comedy appeals to all audiences. As an after dinner speaker, he has few equals and, as an MC, is in great demand.