Biography
Rose is a comedian, writer and actor.
She has written, produced and starred in New Zealand’s TV3 comedy Funny Girls, a six part TV sketch series featuring a team of talented female writers and performers. Rose has just finished serving as head writer for the show’s second season, and is now working on the third. She can currently be seen in the BBC sitcom ‘W1A’.
In 2016, Rose was nominated for Best Newcomer at the Melbourne International Comedy Festival and also made her Edinburgh debut with her show Finally Dead, which enjoyed success from both audiences and critics. It was described by The Guardian as “an emphatic start to Matafeo’s fringe career”. This was followed up next fringe with her show ‘Sassy Best Friend’, which garnered glowing reviews from critics and audiences alike, and was one of the most talk about shows that year.
Rose started stand-up at the age of 15 and has since staged five solo shows as part of the New Zealand International Comedy Festival. In 2010 she won Best Newcomer at the NZICF, going on to win the prestigious Billy T Award in 2013. Her sold out show Finally Dead saw her add extra shows and a return season in NZ.
She has performed regularly alongside a cast of improvisers at the popular late night improv show SNORT in Auckland, and has opened for Reggie Watts both in NZ and the UK.
Rose has featured on the 2014 and 2015 NZ International Comedy Gala, has written and starred in the NZ comedy sketch show Jono & Ben as well as regularly appearing on the NZ panel show 7 Days. As part of Jono and Ben, she’s been lucky enough to interview the likes of Amy Poehler, Jim Carrey, Bill Hader and Amy Schumer.
Praise for Rose Matafeo:
From the reference points to the props and the music, the whole thing feels as fresh and invigorating as an ice-cold bottle of Steinlager. This debut solo show is one of the undoubted highlights of the Fringe.” ★★★★★
The Telegraph
“…a blizzard of youthful energy in one of the Fringe’s most memorable comedy debuts”
The Guardian
‘Effervescently entertaining’
The Guardian ★★★★
‘A deeply funny, enchanting and exuberant comic, Matafeo is in a class of her own’
Three weeks ★★★★★
★★★★ The Times
★★★★ Edinburgh Festivals
★★★★ The Skinny
