Ross Giblin/Stuff
Dave quickly discovered most Wellington venues are not wheelchair accessible, and often has to be carried up flights of stairs over his father’s shoulder. Batten’s comedy career began in 2016 in Australia, where his family lived for nearly 10 years. He was involved in a disability group which organised a comedy course run by well-known Australian comedian Mandy Nolan. “We had to perform as part of graduating at the Lismore Workers Club, and after that I started getting asked to do sets at various places,” Batten said. As he quickly discovered after moving back to New Zealand, most venues were not wheelchair accessible.
Monday, 15 February 2021, 8:58 am
Wellington comic
Dave Batten will get to
celebrate his 30th birthday in true style, rolling in to
headline a star-studded line-up at Petone Club thanks to a
brand-new portable wheelchair ramp on Friday 19th
March.
Dave, who has athetoid cerebral palsy,
describes himself as more of a sit-down than stand-up
comedian, more than happy to make light of the things that
set him apart. Providing a big source of inspiration for his
comedy, Dave’s cerebral palsy requires him to use a
motorised wheelchair full time to get out and about. Until
recently, the biggest barrier to Dave’s career has been