British comedian and writer Andrew Doyle will visit Christchurch next month as part of a New Zealand tour organised by the Free Speech Union.

Doyle, who created the fictional activist and poet Titania McGrath, will appear at events in Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch between September 12 and 16.

The tour will begin at the Free Speech Union’s conference and annual meeting in Auckland on Saturday, September 12, before moving to Wellington and Christchurch.

Tickets will cost $10.

Doyle created Titania McGrath in 2018. The satirical social media character has attracted more than 740,000 followers and led to two books.

He also co wrote the Jonathan Pie character and runs the London comedy event Comedy Unleashed.

Doyle has written several books about free expression and contemporary politics, including Free Speech and Why It Matters, The New Puritans and The End of Woke.

Free Speech Union council member, comedian and screenwriter Dane Giraud said challenging accepted boundaries was an important part of comedy.

“Our job is to offend, and to cross the imaginary line society draws for everyone else. If we are not getting into trouble, we are not doing the job.”

Giraud said Doyle identified with the political left, despite becoming best known for satirising progressive activism.

“Andrew is on the Left. So am I. There was a time nobody would have found that surprising. A left wing comedian defending free expression was the most ordinary thing in the world.”

Giraud, who created the Māori Television comedy series Find Me a Māori Bride, said he believed attitudes towards comedy had become more restrictive in New Zealand.

“I made that show in 2015. It could not be made today. The tolerance for who is allowed to write, and what they can say, has narrowed as a result of the new orthodoxy.”

The Free Speech Union said it had deliberately kept ticket prices low to encourage people with opposing views to attend.

“Tickets are ten dollars because we would rather fill the room with people who disagree with him.”

Tickets and event details are available through the Free Speech Union.