Melbourne International Comedy Festival 2025
This year’s laugh-fest has kicked off, with over 1000 performers stepping up to the mic. Here, our writers take a closer look.
The best heckles, riskiest jokes and strangest moments from this year’s comedy festival
After a month packed with shows, our reviewers have come together to pick out the best (and most memorable) moments from this year’s comedy festival.
- by Donna Demaio, Guy Webster, Hannah Francis, Lefa Singleton Norton, Mikey Cahill, Sonia Nair, Tyson Wray and Vyshnavee Wijekumar
The good, the weird and the unmissable from this festival’s final week
From absurdist scribbling in a notebook to a show that digs into the dark recesses of the internet, and ChatGPT acting as matchmaker, here are our latest reviews.
- by Cher Tan, Donna Demaio, Hannah Francis, John Bailey, Lefa Singleton Norton, Sonia Nair, Tyson Wray, Vyshnavee Wijekumar and Nell Geraets
Ghosts, lies, and conspiracy theories: This festival has it all
From a show where musicals meet PowerPoint, to a trip back in time, here are our latest reviews.
- by Cher Tan, Donna Demaio, Elizabeth Flux, Guy Webster, Hannah Francis, John Bailey, Lefa Singleton Norton, Nell Geraets, Sonia Nair, Tyson Wray and Vyshnavee Wijekumar
The best, the strangest, and the most daring of the comedy festival so far
From an Aunty Donna star to a performer who taps into Joan of Arc, here are our latest reviews of the comedy festival.
- by Cher Tan, Donna Demaio, Guy Webster, Hannah Francis, John Bailey, Karl Quinn, Lefa Singleton Norton, Mikey Cahill, Sonia Nair, Tyson Wray and Vyshnavee Wijekumar
The letter Q is lonely and purple is sassy: What can we learn from fonts and colours?
Former Saturday Night Live writer and cult comedy favourite Julio Torres has brought his newest experimental work to Australia.
- by Will Cox
If you know a Greg or are a Greg then this show is for you
Greg is an hour of absurdist sketch, improv and character comedy, taking as its starting point a pair of comedians’ fascination for a completely ordinary name.
- by Will Cox
It’s the comedy show Raygun didn’t want you to see. But is it any good?
Stephanie Broadbridge’s Breaking: The Musical had to overcome some legal challenges to make it to the Comedy Festival, where it’s just started its run. This is what the crowd can expect.
- by Karl Quinn
Guy Montgomery is everywhere, but he thinks he’s ‘pretty generic’
The New Zealander has written for others, appeared in films, done fundraisers, but he describes these ventures as “dream-adjacent.”
- by John Bailey
Not sure what to see at the MICF? Here’s how to make it a two-course comedy feast
If you enjoy these superstar comedians, pair them with these hilarious up-and-comers without breaking the bank.
- by Lefa Singleton Norton
You don’t want to think of your doctor as human: Adam Kay
The former doctor turned author (turned humorist) says he “probably” has PTSD after the traumatic event at work that caused him to change professions.
- by John Bailey
How famously conflict-averse Luke McGregor handles curly questions
The everyman comedian has made a career of awkwardness – but then our lunch got a bit awkward.
- by Cassidy Knowlton
Can this elite clown save literature with some full-frontal nudity?
Damien Warren-Smith is bringing his comedy creation – Garry Starr – back to Melbourne for an hour of rapid-fire gags, puns and physical lunacy.
- by Tyson Wray
The comedy show aiming to prove that laughter really is medicine
There will be ice water and dad jokes – what’s the worst that could happen?
- by Nell Geraets
Looking for the perfect night out? There’s an AI for that – no joke
The “Funny Finder” released for this year’s Melbourne International Comedy Festival matches fans to their perfect show – with a little help from artificial intelligence.
- by Gemma Grant
Should we be worried? Comedians tackle 2025’s most burning question
This year’s Melbourne International Comedy Festival can’t come soon enough in worrying times.
We need to celebrate the complexities of humanity: Rhys Darby
While the New Zealand comedian worries about AI, his advice is to turn off the news and keep your sense of humour.
- by Lenny Ann Low
Original URL: https://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/culture/comedy/melbourne-international-comedy-festival-2025-20250325-p5lmdp.html