Melbourne International Comedy Festival comedians who have Netflix, TV or social media shows
Hannah Gadsby’s Netflix special catapulted her to international fame, but she’s not the only comedian you can scope out on streaming services ahead of the comedy festival.
Comedy Festival
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Not sure who to see at the comedy festival?
Hannah Gadsby’s Netflix special catapulted her to international fame, but she’s not the only comedian you can scope out on streaming services, TV or social media ahead of the comedy festival.
Televised stand-up is the perfect precursor to this year’s Melbourne International Comedy Festival.
SHOWS TO SEE IF YOU AREN’T INTO STAND-UP COMEDY
COMEDIANS WHO HAVE WON BIG INTERNATIONAL AWARDS
COMEDY LEGENDS WITH BRAND NEW SHOWS THIS YEAR
Here’s how you can get a sneak peek at some of the stars of this year’s festival.
NAZEEM HUSSAIN
As the star and creator of comedy series Legally Brown and Orange Is the New Brown, comedian Nazeem Hussain is no stranger to TV.
But Hussain’s recent Netflix feature as part of Comedians of the World, is his first stand-up performance to stream worldwide and is worth the watch if you’ve yet to see witness his comedic prowess.
You can also catch him on Netflix series Bill Nye Saves the World.
Nazeem Hussain, Basic Idiot, March 28-April 21, Melbourne Town Hall - Lower Town Hall. Tickets $30-$40.
OUR NAZEEM HUSSAIN REVIEW ★★★★
TOM GLEESON
When he’s not mocking everyday Australians on Hard Quiz, roasting celebrities on The Weekly with Charlie Pickering’s Hard Chat or telling people where to avoid on Go Away, Australia’s biggest troll, Tom Gleeson, delivers great stand-up.
See Tom Gleeson in action for yourself on Stan as part of its One Night Stan special.
Tom Gleeson, Joy, March 27-April 14, Comedy Theatre. Tickets $35-$55.
HOW TOM GLEEON NAILED THE ART OF BEING MEAN
CHRIS REDD
Since joining US ensemble Saturday Night Live in 2017, Redd has quickly built a name for himself, appearing in multiple digital shorts and depicting the likes of Kanye, Lil Wayne and Jussie Smollet.
The US comedian has also appeared on shows like Empire and Will & Grace in addition to Netflix Originals, such as Disjointed and Hot American Summer: Ten Years Later.
If you’re keen to get a taste of Redd’s stand-up and improv, check out some of his performances at The Laugh Factory on YouTube.
Chris Redd, Chris Redd - April 19, The Westin. Tickets $25-$30. Also appearing in Headliners, April 16-21, Max Watt’s, Tickets $31-$37.
JUDITH LUCY
Judith Lucy does self-deprecating humour like no one else and for that reason she’s become a comedic institution in her own right.
She’s also one of Australia’s most revered names in stand-up comedy and if you’ve yet to see it for yourself, check out her comedy special, Ask No Questions of the Moth, on Stan.
Judith Lucy, Judith Lucy vs Men - March 28-April 14, Arts Centre Melbourne, Playhouse. Tickets $44.90-$52.90.
WIL ANDERSON
He’s one of our most celebrated and longest standing fixtures in comedy, but Anderson’s stand-up is anything but stale.
Check it out for yourself on Stan’s Fire at Wil comedy special.
Wil Anderson, Wil-Informed - March 27 - April 21, Comedy Theatre, Tickets $35-54.90
MICHELLE WOLF
She’s one of the bigger - and most controversial - talents on this year’s line-up, but if you’re a unfamiliar with Wolf’s humour, you might want to get acquainted by watching her Netflix series The Break or check out her infamous stand-up routine at last year’s White House Corresponden’s dinner.
Michelle Wolf, Michelle Wolf - March 27-31, Max Watt’s, Tickets $35-$42.
OUR MICHELLE WOLF REVIEW ★★★★★
HANNAH GADSBY
Tassie comedian Hannah Gadsby’s Netflix comedy special, Nanette, became the most widely discussed stand-up routine of 2018 and catapulted the comedian to global stardom.
While the comedian is more than deserving of her recent accolades, she can also back it up with future stand-up projects, which she’ll demonstrate at this year’s comedy fest with her new show, Douglas.
Hannah Gadsby, Douglas, March 27-April 7, Arts Centre Melbourne - Hamer Hall, Tickets $64.90-$84.90
OUR HANNAH GADSBY REVIEW ★★★★½
TOM BALLARD
Tom Ballard has never been one to shy away from talking politics and more importantly, makes politics funny.
In fact, it’s more or less become his signature style of stand-up.
For those who live under a rock, you can get an idea of his material by watching his stand up show, The World Keeps Happeningon Stan.
Tom Ballard, Enough, March 28-April 21, Melbourne Town Hall - Supper Room, Tickets $25-34.
OUR REVIEW OF TOM BALLARD ★★★★½
MATT OKINE
When he’s not touring stand-up across the country, Matt Okine is hosting his own cooking show on ABC’s Shortcuts to Glory, Channel Seven’s Orange is the New Brown and his own semi autobiographical series on Stan, The Other Guy, which was recently renewed for a second season.
Matt Okine, The Hat Game - April 13-14, Melbourne Town Hall - Supper Room, Tickets $35
DANIEL SLOSS
Scotsman Sloss became the youngest comedian to perform a solo season in London’s West End at 19 and nearly a decade later his career continues to flourish. The comedian recently secured two specials on Netflix, DARK and jigsaw, both of which are worth checking out prior to his return to Australia, where he will present his 10th solo show, X.
Daniel Sloss, X - March 28 - April 21, The Forum - Downstairs, Tickets $27-37
JAMES ACASTER
This offbeat Brit is one of very few comedians to have not one, not two, but four stand-up shows on Netflix (and the first UK comic to do so).
Acaster’ will showcase his hour-long, critically acclaimed show Cold Lasagna Hate Myself 1999 at this year’s Melbourne comedy festival, but if you’re keen to familiarise yourself with some of his previous work beforehand, be sure to check out his four-part Netflix series, Repertoire.
James Acaster, Cold Lasagna Hate Myself 1999 - April 9-21, Melbourne Town Hall - Main Hall & ACMI - Beyond, Tickets $30-39
The Melbourne International Comedy Festival runs from March 27 until April 21.
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