BILLY T comedy award finalists

After three years in something of a holding pattern, the annual International Comedy Festival comes back to full strength in May, with not only the best local comics, but an impressive selection of overseas ones. But it also marks the first major step in the career of five Kiwi Comedians. These are the contestants for the all-important Billy T Awards. Most of our top comedians got their start with a Billy T, and the pressure is clearly on. The contestants this year are Gabby Anderson, Jack Ansett, Janaye Henry, Abby Howells and Maria Williams. Simon Morris spoke to three of them, looking for tips on "How to win a Billy T".