Melbourne International Comedy Festival 2018: Best shows for kids
FORGET the dad jokes. This year’s Melbourne International Comedy Festival is full of family-friendly laughs, with shows and events for children of all ages.
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WHY should grown-ups have all the fun at the Melbourne International Comedy Festival?
This year’s comedy festival is also packed with shows and events to entertain children of all ages.
Here’s our pick of the top comedy festival shows and events for kids - and there’s not a dad joke in sight.
BEST OF LAST YEAR’S TOP-RATED COMICS
COMPLETE GUIDE TO MELBOURNE INTERNATIONAL COMEDY FESTIVAL
>> SCROLL DOWN TO SEE SHOWS FOR CHILDREN OF ALL AGES
COMEDY FESTIVAL SHOWS FOR CHILDREN UNDER 5:
For kids keen to bust some serious moves, Disco Kids has created the perfect space to really let their hair down. The 60-minute event - which has already toured Edinburgh, Glasgow, Perth and Adelaide - combines disco mash-ups with bubbles and balloons for the ultimate fun factor.
30 March to April 2, April 7-8, 14-15, 21-22 at 3pm; Level 1, 450 Elizabeth St; Tickets $10.30–$40.30
COMEDY FESTIVAL SHOWS FOR CHILDREN AGED 5-12:
GARFIELD: THE MUSICAL WITH CATTITUDE
Presented by independent production company StageArt, this hour-long show makes its Australasian premiere at the Melbourne International Comedy Festival. Featuring everyone’s favourite orange feline, Garfield, the performance will also see appearances of his friends Arlene, Odie, Jon and of course Nermal, Garfield’s arch nemesis.
April 3-6 and 9-13 at 10.30-12.30pm; Auslan session on April 9 at 10.30am; Chapel off Chapel, Tickets $24.50-26.50
THE IMPROVISED GUIDE TO SUPERHEROES
Comedy duo Ben Russell and Cassie Daly make use of their talents as improvisers in this one-of-a-kind performance suitable for kids aged 8 and above. Each show depicts an epic, superhero-centric adventure - and becaus it’s improvised, it offers a unique take every time.
March 31-April 1, April 3-8, 10-15 at 3.15pm, Melbourne Town Hall, Tickets $15-19.90
Kid stand-up is severely underrated, especially when many go on to become successful adult comedians (Saturday Night Live’s Kenan Thompson, Pete Davidson and Taran Killam are prime examples). This year’s show presents a super-sized batch of up-and-coming talent, showcasing everything from traditional stand-up to musical acts and sketches. Hosted by Josh Earl, the event features Tessa Waters, T om Walker and Xavier Michelides, among many others.
March 31-April 1, April 3-8, 10-15; The Famous Spiegeltent Arts Centre Melbourne, Tickets $16.50-$20.50
Revisit this classic fairytale thanks to the Kids Comedy Theatre, whose fabulous cast presents a laugh-out-loud take on the story while incorporating audience participation for an equally entertaining and inclusive experience.
April 3-6, 8, 10-13, 15 at 11am, April 7, 14 at 11am and 2pm; Athenaeum Theatre; Tickets $18-20
COMEDY SHOWS FOR CHILDREN AGED 13+:
CLASS CLOWNS NATIONAL GRAND FINAL
Hosted by the talented Nath Valvo, this is the grand final of a nationwide search for Australia’s funniest teens. Entrants are encouraged to find their comedic voice through stand-up, sketch or musical performances.
April 20 at noon; Forum Theatre; Tickets $15-18
COMEDY SHOWS FOR CHILDREN OF ALL AGES
Leading street performers and comedians are joining forces for an action-packed - and, best of all, free - comedy show to rival all others. This year’s showcase features an impressive selection of local and international talent, including Paul Currie (Ireland), The Kif-Kif Sisters (Canada), Yo-Yo Guy (USA) and the Croquicky Brothers (South Korea), among many others. The 90-minute performance takes place on Fed Square’s main stage.
March 30 to April 22 on Friday at 5pm, Saturday and Sunday at 2.30pm; Federation Square, FREE
Ahoy me hearties! If you’re after a truly swashbuckling performance, look no further than the latest offering to come from the talented team at Head First Acrobats. Combining next level-acrobatics with slapstick comedy, it promises to be enjoyable for the young, old and everything in between.
March 31, April 3-7, April 10-14 at 3.15pm; April 1, 8, 15 at 11am; April 21-22 at 2pm; The Famous Spiegeltent Arts Centre Melbourne, Tickets $20-80
Ideal for youngsters but suitable for all ages, this energetic performance involves highly skilled acrobats, dancers and circus performers demonstrating some seriously impressive tricks. The highly regarded event is well regarded in the industry, having won the Best Children’s Event Weekly Award at the 2016 Adelaide Fringe.
Every Sunday until April 22 at 4pm; The Famous Spiegeltent Arts Centre Melbourne, Tickets $18-64
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