The Council-backed festival, which runs from 17 July until 3 August, includes a world-first performance called Dick Does Dinner, in which radio chef and local cafe entrepreneur Richard Till gets a few things off his chest about food — finding it, cooking it and presenting it. The thing about this performance, however, is that the audience gets a three-course meal with the entertainment.

Along with core-funding the festival itself, the City Council has provided some special support for this premiere. Festival Director Guy Boyce says the Council’s support is crucial to the festival’s success.

"Without the support of the people of Christchurch through the City Council this festival couldn't exist," he says. "Sponsors put money into shows, and it's fantastic that they do that, but what the Council support does is underpin about two thirds of our basic administration overheads, which gives us the security to organise the event itself and find the acts that will attract sponsorship."

"I think there's something here for everyone. There's a huge range of entertainment and I hope people get as much enjoyment out of it as we've had bringing it together."