Keith Preene gets his bingo on

He’s a Kiwi icon in his own mind and the perfect host for a ride down the bingo super highway.

Keith Preene’s Golden Goose Bingo hits the bright lights of the glamorous Isaac Theatre Royal this Friday and Saturday during the World Buskers Festival.

About $1200 worth of prizes (including meat packs), great comedy, and of course a spot of bingo, are on the cards each night.

Preene is the alter ego of Shay Horay who is excited to perform a revamped version of his show – with a brand new set - in his hometown.

He isn’t feeling the pressure of filling a theatre that seats close to 1400 people: “I’m made for it. My approach is, go big, or go home.”

The Golden Goose Bingo audience should come along ready to have a laugh, play the game, and “kick back and relax at Keith’s house”. 

“Make sure you’re familiar with the numbers one to 100 because all of those will be utilised,” he advises.

He reckons Christchurch is “on the bounce” and the festival is helping to draw crowds back to their favourite city haunts.  

The Keith Preene character is inspired by television gameshow hosts of the 1970 and 80s heyday such as Selwyn Toogood. He’s a guy who had his first taste of fame on the Caroline Bay Soundshell stage and is now settled in the “big smoke” of Rolleston.

It will be Horay’s 20th anniversary year performing in the World Buskers Festival. Along with the Golden Goose Bingo show, Keith Preene will MC the nightly Busker Comedy Club in the North Quad of the Arts Centre.

• Keith Preene’s Golden Goose Bingo at the Isaac Theatre Royal, 7.30pm January 27 and January 28. Busker Comedy Club at the Arts Centre North Quad, 7pm each night until January 28. For bookings and more information see World Buskers Festival. Bookings for Keith Preene's Golden Goose Bingo are through Ticketek.