GC Laughs Festival 2019: Comedian Dusty Rich wants to make Gold Coast Australia’s comedy capital

This comedian believes the city’s first ever comedy festival is just one step towards the Gold Coast becoming “Australia’s comedy mecca.”

COMEDIAN Dusty Rich has been waiting for the Gold Coast to have its own comedy festival ever since he first set foot in Australia nearly three years ago.

The South African-born performer is one of dozens of international and Australian acts performing at the inaugural GC Laughs Festival this weekend.

He said festival co-founders Josh Armstrong and Craig Ivanoff were some of the first to put him on stage after he “started from scratch” by moving.

Comedians Dusty Rich, Guy Montgomery and Becky Lucas are getting a headstart on the laughs this weekend. Picture Glenn Hampson

“I am an advocate to try and make the Gold Coast the mecca of comedy in Australia because it has that party vibe,” he said.

OTHER NEWS:

JLO engaged wearing Coast-made clothes

Shocking claims against RFG bosses

Man’s bizarre reason for keeping restricted reptile

“I want to be a part of the process of making the Gold Coast the real entertainment city …

Australian comedian Joel Creasey is one of the most popular acts featured. Picture: Jared Vethaak

Josh and Craig have done incredible things to put it together but as soon as they mentioned it I was over the moon.

“The next thing this place needs is a dedicated comedy club, an actual architecturally built comedy club and then it can become that.”

SUBSCRIBE TO THE GOLD COAST BULLETIN — JUST $1 FOR THE FIRST 28 DAYS

More than two dozen comedians will take to the stage over the week-long festival including Joel Creasey, Arj Barker and Becky Lucas.

Despite it being the festival’s first year Mr Armstrong insists there’s no last minute jitters

“We’ve been really looking forward to having places for these acts to perform in a structured festival,” he said.

“It’s been pretty overwhelming, amazing and exciting … it’s great to have support from big acts and show comedians all around the world that there is demand on the Gold Coast.”

The GC Laughs Festival will run from March 17-24.