Best comedians to see with a group of friends at Melbourne International Comedy Festival
You’ve rounded up friends to see a Melbourne Comedy Festival show but beyond the usual hurdles of co-ordinating the group outing remains the big dilemma — which comedian should you all see?
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You’re tasked with rounding up a group of friends to hit up a Comedy Festival show en masse.
Beyond the usual hurdles of co-ordinating who’s in, who’s not, the price range and which night suits, then there’s the tough ask of trying to find a show that’s to everyone’s liking.
Not so easy.
Here’s a taste of shows that could work.
AUSSIE COMEDIANS YOU SHOULD SEE THIS YEAR
BRITISH AND IRISH COMEDIANS TO SEE THIS YEAR
ULTIMATE 2019 MELBOURNE COMEDY FESTIVAL GUIDE
TOM GLEESON
The deadpan comic kicked off this year’s Comedy Festival on song as host of the Oxfam Gala, which will air on Sunday.
HOW TOM GLEESON NAILED THE ART OF BEING MEAN
Well known in the past year for his next-level take-downs of contestants on ABC’s Hard Quiz, and celebrities on the show’s Hard Chat segment, Gleeson can rip through hecklers as quick as they come.
He’s added five more shows to bring his run to 15, which could mean more than 18,000 fans — or hecklers — attending this year.
Tom Gleeson, Joy, March 27-April 7, Comedy Theatre. Book tickets
JUDITH LUCY
Since first appearing on ABC TV’s The Late Show in 1993, Judith Lucy has carried her dry sarcasm all the way to becoming Australian comedy royalty.
Judith Lucy Vs Men is her first solo show since Ask No Questions of the Moth won the Helpmann Award for Best Comedy Performance in 2015.
She’s single again at 50 and celebrating or bemoaning this status, Lucy is putting to her audiences to determine whether her vagina is due for retirement.
Judith Lucy, Judith Lucy Vs Men, March 28-April 14, Arts Centre Melbourne Playhouse. Book tickets
NATH VALVO
If his Oxfam Gala slot is a precursor to his solo run at this year’s Comedy Festival, expect Nath Valvo to be flying.
After adding another five shows to his hugely popular run last year and earning a spot at Montreal’s coveted Just For Laughs festival, the sassy show pony is ready to reel off another fresh hour of whip-smart quips.
Nath Valvo, I’m Happy For You, March 28-April 21, Melbourne Town Hall Supper Room. Book tickets
SAM SIMMONS
A late addition to this year’s Comedy Festival billing, if a dose of the off-kilter and truly absurd is more your mates’ schtick then Sam Simmons will be right up their alley.
Having won Best Comedy at Edinburgh Fringe and Best Show of Melbourne Comedy Festival, both in 2015, Simmons is taking a break from stand-up for a long time, he says, to spend more time with his family back in Adelaide.
This is your chance to get 26 invaluable life hacks, especially if you’re the type to struggle eating a chicken wing in public.
Sam Simmons, 26 Things You’ve Been Doing Wrong with San Simmons, April 2-7. ACMI Beyond. Book tickets
SARAH KEYWORTH
A master of audience bantering, Nottingham’s Sarah Keyworth makes her Melbourne Comedy Festival debut with her semi-autobiographical Dark Horse.
The show was nominated for Best Newcomer at last year’s Edinburgh Comedy Awards and delves into personal tom-boy tales and her own upbringing, as well as stories from her stint nannying for two young children.
Sarah Keyworth, Dark Horse, March 28-April 21, Melbourne Town Hall. Book tickets
HEADLINERS (US)
If you’re after safety in numbers, a multi-comedian show such as Headliners could be it. You could strike it lucky with a string of bang-on stand-ups, or if one bombs badly, there’s still the buffer of the others to steady the ship.
Late-night TV talk shows and the comedy club circuit are bubbling with the best of comedic hot shots in the US and Headliners brings a host of these outstanding stars back.
This year’s show features current cast member of Saturday Night Live, Chris Redd (April 16-21), as well as Jo Firestone, Emmy Blotnick and Joel Kim Booster (March 28-April 7); Langston Kerman (April 9-21); Liza Treyger and Samantha Ruddy (April 9-14); and Sam Jay (April 16-21).
Headliners, March 28-April 21, Max Watt’s. Book tickets
ADAM ROZENBACHS
A fast-firing stalwart of 20 years in stand-up, the affable Adam Rozenbachs reckons Bunnings online will never work because you can’t get:
1. A sausage, or
2. The sense of emptiness in your marriage as you wander the aisles wondering if this is all there is to life.
The Melburnian has audience banter down pat and is back for just 10 shows only with his greatest hits compilation of the past two decades. Find out just how he managed to survive a brush with death last year.
Adam Rozenbachs, Greatest & Bestest Hits of Adam Rozenbachs, March 28-April 6, European Bier Cafe. Book tickets
DILRUK JAYASINHA
A Logie Award last year for Most Popular New Talent has only cemented the Sri Lankan-born Aussie’s status as a man who’s star is on the rise.
Despite his well-received role on ABC TV’s award-winning Utopia, Jayasinha is still a knockout stand-up at heart.
OUR DILRUK JAYASINHA REVIEW ★★★½
Jayasinha was given the flick from his accounting job, but since diving headfirst into stand-up, life has really kicked off for him, even if he has cheated his way to a healthier and more active lifestyle.
Dilruk Jayasinha ,Cheat Day(s), March 28-April 21, The Victoria Hotel Banquet Room. Book tickets
BECKY LUCAS
Her sharp observational humour was such that last year, Becky Lucas was likened to the mischief-making ringleader at school who charms her way out of trouble every time.
Well it wasn’t enough to get her out of a Twitter ban after making a joke about chopping off the Prime Minister’s head.
The droll Lucas touched on moving in with her boyfriend last year — “we could be together for the rest of our lease” — and returns with another wise crack.
Becky Lucas, Um, Support Me?!, March 28-April 21, Swiss Club & Melbourne Town Hall. Book tickets
What to see at the comedy festival this weekend
From a big-name benefit in support of Christchurch terror victims to a chat show with a difference, these are the best offerings at the Melbourne comedy festival this weekend.
Who’s firing at the comedy festival?
We’ve just passed the halfway mark of the 33rd Melbourne comedy festival. Mikey Cahill takes us through the bangers and clangers so far — who has excelled or repelled?