Melbourne International Comedy Festival 2019: Best shows for kids and families
Expect plenty of magic, acrobatics, silliness and, yes, fart jokes, from shows built for kids at this year’s comedy festival. Here are our picks of the best shows for kids young and old.
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With school holidays falling smack-bang in middle of the Melbourne International Comedy Festival, there’s no better time to get some comic relief for the whole family.
Expect plenty of magic, acrobatics, silliness and, yes, fart jokes, from shows built for kids at this year’s comedy festival.
These are our picks for kids, whether they’re young or young at heart.
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CIRCUS OZ, BUBBLEGUM CABARET
For ages 3+
Amazing acrobatics, jaw-dropping juggling, and terrific tricks are all part of this colourful circus cabaret created specifically for kids.
It promises to be funny as well as visually spectacular.
CIRCUS OZ, BUBBLEGUM CABARET, THE MELBA SPIEGELTENT, 35 JOHNSTON ST, FITZROY; TICKETS $18.
TINKERBELL AND THE DREAM FAIRIES, ADVENTURE THROUGH BUBBLE LAND
For ages 3-8
Tinkerbell, a set of lost wings and friendly fairies from A Midsummer Night’s Dream combine for a fun-filled adventure set in Bubble Land that will delight younger children.
Plus they’re encouraged to dress up as a fairy, elf or favourite superhero for this interactive show.
TINKERBELL AND THE DREAM FAIRIES, ADVENTURE THROUGH BUBBLE LAND, APRIL 6-10, ATHENAEUM THEATRE. TICKETS $20.
THE LISTIES, R.O.F.L.S.H.A.L.B.O.W.C.O.
For ages 5+
They’re the kings of kids’ comedy, back with a show that promises to make you roll on the floor laughing — a lot.
It also promises a “bonkers comedy extravaganza of epic proportions”, and the world’s most annoying song.
Don’t let that put you off though - The Listies know how to put on a LSICK show that will bring plenty of laughs to kids and parents alike.
They were nominated for a Barry Award for best show in 2009 - the only children’s show to do so.
THE LISTIES, R.O.F.L.S.H.A.L.B.O.W.C.O. (ROLLING ON THE FLOOR LAUGHING SO HARD A LITTLE BIT OF WEE COMES OUT), APRIL 6-21, THE COOPERS MALTHOUSE. TICKETS $20-$28.
DANIEL GORSKI, MR GORSKI
For ages 5+
Award-winning circus performer and actor Daniel Gorski - aka Jango on ABC kids’ show Hoopla Doopla, is on to a sure-fire winner as an entertainer on the run for being too good at his job.
Expect mime, slapstick, juggling and plenty of tricks.
DANIEL GORSKI, MR.GORSKI, APRIL 13-20, THE MELBA SPIEGELTENT, 35 JOHNSTON ST, FITZROY, TICKETS $20-$28.50.
DUMMIES CORP, DON’T MESS WITH THE DUMMIES
All ages
An all-female cast of acrobats brings this exciting blend of circus, comedy and character to centre stage in a crazy ride of organised chaos. The show follows Ellen Henry, Maya Tregonning and Shona Conacher as they go on a raucous ride of non-stop slapstick, high-flying acrobatics and inventive puppetry.
DUMMIES CORP, DON’T MESS WITH THE DUMMIES, APRIL 6-21. THE FAMOUS SPIEGELTENT AT ARTS CENTRE MELBOURNE. TICKETS $18.50-$25.
MR SNOT BOTTOM’S HORRIBLE, TERRIBLE, REALLY, REALLY, BAD, BAD, SHOW
For ages 5+
If your kids like disgusting things and general ridiculousness, this is the show for them.
Silly dialogue, sight gags and grossness are likely to abound as Mark Trenwith brings Mr Snot Bottom back to the festival for his seventh year.
It will have you and your kids in stitches.
MR SNOT BOTTOM’S HORRIBLE, TERRIBLE, REALLY, REALLY, BAD, BAD SHOW, APRIL 6-14, MELBOURNE TOWN HALL. TICKETS $15-$68.
PATRICK COLLINS AND THE MAGIC SHOE
For ages 5+
Patrick Collins - “magician, mime and former child” - brings puppetry and magic to this show about trying to find his missing magic shoe.
Kids will become part of the hilarious adventure, with audience participation on the cards.
PATRICK COLLINS AND THE MAGIC SHOE, APRIL 6-21, MELBOURNE TOWN HALL. TICKETS $14-$18.
CAPTAIN CAULIFLOWER AND MARVIN THE MISCHIEVOUS MOOSE
For ages 5+
The invincible Captain Cauliflower travels into outer space and swims deep under the ocean saving those in peril – but can he beat his arch-nemesis, the evil Onion Man?
British comedians Dan Lees and Neil Frost bring their brand of physical comedy to Melbourne for the first time, shortly after winning a 2019 Best Children’s Event Adelaide Fringe Weekly Award.
The show sold out at last year’s Edinburgh Festival Fringe, so get in quick.
CAPTAIN CAULIFLOWER AND MARVIN THE MISCHIEVOUS MOOSE, APRIL 6-21, THE COOPERS MALTHOUSE MINI MERLYN, TICKETS $8-$20.
HEAD FIRST ACROBATS, ARRR WE THERE YET?!
For ages 5+
A scallywag pirate, muscular sailor and chef with a seafood allergy hit the high seas in search of treasure, amid a tussle for the title of ship captain.
But it’s the high-flying, knife-juggling acrobatics that bring the real wow factor to this story.
HEAD FIRST ACROBATS, ARRR WE THERE YET?!, APRIL 6-21, THE FAMOUS SPIEGELTENT AT ARTS CENTRE MELBOURNE. TICKETS $21-$25.
COMEDY CLUB FOR KIDS
For ages 6-12
This kid-friendly showcase brings together a cracking lineup of street and stage performers for some school holiday LoLs.
Hosted by Grandma (Nikki Britton) and Berlin’s prince and princess of punk rock, Otto and Astrid from Die Roten Punkte, star performers include Tessa Waters, Alex the Magician, Head First Acrobats and Double Denim.
Chadstone will also host a Comedy Club for Kids, hosted by Josh Earl and Tessa Waters, that brings together some of the best circus, musical comedy, sketch and stand-up from the festival.
COMEDY CLUB FOR KIDS, APRIL 6-21, SPIEGELTENT AT ARTS CENTRE MELBOURNE, TICKETS $16.50-$21 . ALSO AT CHADSTONE PARADISO SPIEGELTENT.
ALEX AND LUKE, MAKE YOUR PARENTS DISAPPEAR: THE MAGIC EXTRAVAGANZA
For ages 6-12
A series of unfortunate mishaps have landed the Alex and Luke in detention at magic school, and now they’ll need all their magic skills — plus some audience help — to escape.
This is a chance to get a look at the magician duo who have appeared on Australia’s Got Talent, Kids’ WB and Channel 9’s Gold Telethon.
ALEX AND LUKE, MAKE YOUR PARENTS DISAPPEAR: THE MAGIC EXTRAVAGANZA!, APRIL 6-21, SPIEGELTENT AT ARTS CENTRE, TICKETS $16-$76.
FUNNY TAILS
For ages 6-12
Never work with children or animals, so the advice goes - but comedians in this show are well and truly ignoring that.
This show is billed as “improv with pets”, as comedians take on the challenge to work with a changing cast of animals.
They’ll play improv games and tell stories with the help of animals, and the audience.
Sounds intriguing!
FUNNY TAILS, APRIL 6-21, MELBOURNE TOWN HALL. TICKETS $20-$25.
SAM CAMPBELL AND PAUL WILLIAMS, WIMPY CHIMPY BRAIN COMPETITION
For ages 8+
Animations, video games, songs and a complex maze are all part of the mix in this “stupid gameshow” for children.
Sam Campbell, last year’s Barry Award winner, is one half of the duo so you’re in good hands.
SAM CAMPBELL AND PAUL WILLIAMS, WIMPY CHIMPY BRAIN COMPETITION, APRIL 6-21, MELBOURNE TOWN HALL. TICKETS $15-$60.
SIMON TAYLOR, RIGHT NOW
For ages 13+
You’ve heard of a triple threat, but Simon Taylor takes it one stop further by adding magician to his repertoire of singing, dancing and acting.
If that’s not impressive enough, his CV includes being a writer for The Tonight Show with Jay Leno, an appearance in Netflix series Magic for Humans and his own stand-up special on the ABC.
Taylor promises “slick stand-up comedy, magic, music and me dancing like an idiot”.
“It’s one you can bring the family to and not worry about offence,” he said in our Q&A.
His performances include a family-friendly 5.45pm show on Saturday, April 13.
SIMON TAYLOR, RIGHT NOW, MARCH 28-APRIL 21, TRADES HALL. TICKETS $22-$29.
THE MIGHTY LITTLES, THE JUNIOR MIGHTY LITTLE PUPPET SHOW
For all ages
In this choose-your-own-adventure-style puppet show, kids can pick which character’s story they most want to see through to the end.
It’s the comedy puppet show where anything is possible, combining puppetry with improvised storytelling.
The Junior Mighty Little Puppet Show sold out its past three comedy festival seasons, so get in while you can.
THE MIGHTY LITTLES, THE JUNIOR MIGHTY LITTLE PUPPET SHOW, APRIL 6-12, MELBOURNE TOWN HALL. TICKETS $17-$24.
BIGGEST LITTLE CIRCUS
For all ages
Head to Fed Square for an action-packed, high-energy display of street theatre.
You’ll see plenty of audience interaction as Biggest Little Circus plays host on the main stage from April 5-7.
BIGGEST LITTLE CIRCUS, APRIL 5-7, FEDERATION SQUARE MAIN STAGE. FREE.
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