Celebrity Speakers to Front Pride In Print Awards

Celebrity Speakers to Front Pride In Print Awards Night

Two of the stars of New Zealand stage and screen are to lead the glittering Pride In Print Awards Night in Wellington on Friday May 3.

Miranda Harcourt, part of the famous Harcourt acting dynasty, and comedian Paul Ego from the country’s top-rating music breakfast show, The Rock’s “Morning Rumble”, are to be the double act to MC at the TSB Arena.

Traditionally, Awards Night is both the showpiece where the cream of New Zealand’s print expertise is rewarded, and the fun night where printers, suppliers and customers let their hair down in celebration.
Awards Manager, Sue Archibald, said the pairing of Miranda Harcourt and Paul Ego would bring a special blend of laughter and serious focus to fit with the culture of Awards Night.

“We needed two MCs who could project to an audience, keep things moving and inject their own personalities on to proceedings, yet at the same time ensure the serious business of the Awards proceedings move smoothly.

“Miranda and Paul will do just that. They will complement one another and I am sure they will play a big part in making the evening go well.

“We are set to put the glitz back into Wellywood with the event being held in the TSB Arena situated on the harbour a stone’s throw from the Capital City’s CBD. It is guaranteed to provide a popular setting for both the glamour side of the evening and the fun part.”

One of New Zealand's most-loved actresses, Miranda Harcourt has appeared in a number of stage, film and television productions, including three series of Gloss, Marlin Bay, Typhon's People, City Life, the award-winning Ends Meat, and TV1's telemovie, Duggan.

Her acting ability was recognised when she toured New Zealand and overseas (Edinburgh, London, Denver, Hong Kong and Sydney) with the solo show Verbatim, by William Brandt.

Miranda is not only an outstanding actress but as former head of acting at New Zealand drama school Toi Whakaari she’s passing on her knowledge to the new generation, now specialising in child acting courses and on-set coaching.

She’s a woman with a social and political conscience; teaching drama in prisons, psychiatric institutions, schools and with the deaf and disabled.

Over the years accolades from her peers include an ONZM, a Media Peace Prize, Best Actress, Best Short Film and Best Production at both the Chapman Tripp Awards and the New Zealand Film and Television Awards.

Her skills enable her to relate to a wide range of audiences as a facilitator/MC.

Paul Ego began his stand-up comedy career in London in 1994 and has become one of NZ’s uppermost comedians, delivering to the NZ public and corporate markets a style of comedy with international appeal.

He has opened for British comedy legend Ross Noble, toured NZ with Ireland’s “Lord Of The Laughs” Ed Byrne and has performed in every NZ International Comedy Festival since 1996, with his solo shows playing to sold-out houses.

In 2000 Paul received the Billy T Award, a comedy grant awarded by the NZ Comedy Trust in recognition of outstanding commitment to NZ comedy.

His radio career began with his role as chief writer and script editor on award-winning radio comedies Starship Cortina and News In Briefs. He then joined the team of the multi-award winning Kim and Corbett Show on Auckland’s More FM, creating and bringing comedy characters to life on-air whilst working alongside Jeremy Corbett, Kim Adamson and Hilary Barry.

Now co-host on The Rock’s Morning Rumble, Paul is well known for his outstanding improvisational skills as an MC and brings to the role his own unique comedy.

Miranda and Paul will lead off a night which will continue the theme of the “Print Out Loud” campaign which proved successful in Auckland last year.

Further information can be found at the Awards’ website www.prideinprintawards.co.nz

© Scoop Media