Rising comedy star Georgie Sivier takes out South Island RAW win. Photo Ashburton GuardianAshburton’s own Georgie Sivier has confirmed herself as a rising star of the stand-up comedy world after winning a high profile competition.

The South Island RAW Comedy Quest was on Sunday, where Sivier went up against six fellow finalists from throughout the region.

“It surprised me, I didn’t expect to get anywhere with it because I have only been doing stand up for seven months,” the Ashburton Big Little Theatre Company tutor said.

She said her stand-up act is a “bit peculiar” due to the fact she wore a shark costume, which had ping pong balls for eyes.

Her grandmother made it for a private family joke, out of a car seat cover.

“My grandmother is mortified because she thinks everyone will think she’s a really bad seamstress,” Sivier said.

A former student of Big Little, Sivier is now based in Christchurch as she makes a name for herself in the world of theatre, television and comedy.

She has established the Playspace Theatre Company which has been producing a number of shows, and will soon take the two-person play Her to the Nelson Fringe Festival.

Sivier is in the play with fellow Christchurch comedian Justin White, who won the Christchurch-based Comedian Award for 2016.

Her South Island RAW performance led to her being signed with standup comedy agency Grandpa Figs.

She will now go to the national final in Auckland, where she will be the only South Islander among seven contestants competing.

“It’s terrifying,” Sivier said.

By Susan Sandys © The Ashburton Guardian - 5 April 2017