Richard Cox was up before the birds and hundreds of other Dunedin residents yesterday in his quest to get tickets to a comedy show.
Mr Cox, who queued from 3.30am, was first in line outside Hallensteins clothing store for a free ticket to the Dunedin Jono and Ben show.
The comedy duo, known for their mischievous antics, will perform at the Regent Theatre tomorrow after Dunedin received the most votes in a competition by the television show to find New Zealand's ‘‘cool town''.
The comedians and their production crew began their search as part of their ‘‘Cool Town, Bro'' competition last month .
Show producer Bronwynn Bakker said the city received more than 20,000 nominations in the form of website votes and video and photo submissions.
Mr Cox, a self-confessed ‘‘huge fan'' of the show, said he made sure he was at the front of the queue because he did not want to miss out on a ticket.
‘‘I watch the show every week and I just didn't want to miss it because I don't think they will be here again.''
The aeronautical student said he did not bother to bring a chair or food with him for the five-hour wait.
After 30 minutes he was joined in the queue by his partner, who was also a fan.
‘‘Then the next person came at about 5.30am and the line started to get pretty massive around 7am.''
After securing two tickets he had a ‘‘wee snooze''.
Comedian Ben Boyce said it was ‘‘bloody awesome'' to be filming the show outside of Auckland for the first time.
The comedians had already been introduced to Dunedin life, with a 10am visit to Castle St being a particular eye-opener, he said.
‘‘It was kind of like The Walking Dead.''
Ms Bakker said 1300 tickets to the show had been given away, 1100 of which went to those queuing in George St.
Forty-five behind-the-scenes staff will travel to Dunedin to produce the show, she said.
- by Margot Taylor
