Melbourne International Comedy Festival shows to see if you aren’t into stand-up comedy
From sketch shows to cabaret and musical acts that are hard to describe, here’s what to see at the Melbourne International Comedy Festival if stand-up isn’t your cup of tea.
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The sight of someone blathering away at a mic stand might be as commonplace at the Melbourne International Comedy Festival as a discarded flyer.
Yet the real lifeblood of the festival is the variety of shows on offer — from sketch shows to character pieces to cabaret acts to musical acts that are hard to describe.
For those looking for something other than someone dissecting life’s minutiae, here’s a selection of shows that offer an alternative to the mainstay of stand-up.
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THE BIG HOO-HAA!
Those with a love of improvisation and audience participation who has never witnessed this bizarre comedy ritual should dive in, head first.
The Big Hoo-Haa has become an institution and spearheads the festival’s veritable buffet of improvised shows, which number around 20, give or take.
The Big HOO-HAA!, Melbourne, April 1, 8, 15, Melbourne Town Hall. Tickets $22-$25.
THE FAN BRIGADE
Having wrought havoc in their native New Zealand with their sweet-natured satire, musical duo Livi Reihana and Amanda Kennedy are headed here to threaten white male privilege and hopefully play their anti-cricket anthem.
Huge in New Zealand but barely known here, the easily lovable couple should find themselves very warmly welcomed. Provided they sign in.
The Fan Brigade, Feminazi Bitches, March 26 to April 7, Campari House. Tickets $20-$25.
#KWANDA: A PLAY
Tom Ballard, of Tonightly notoriety (ABC TV), has turned his hand to theatrical writing, offering us a satirical piece set on a Q&A-type panel show that goes out of control.
Jabs at politicians will no doubt be rife, and yet one wonders what side of the divide shall bear the brunt of Ballard’s dagger.
#KWANDA: A Play, March 30-Apri 21 (Sat and Sun only), Melbourne Town Hall. Tickets $28-$35.
MARCUS THE MOTIVATOR
From a self-made man still in his 20s comes all the life coaching advice you’ll need to get off your buns and turn your stagnant life into a money generator using nothing but high-powered motivational gobbledygook.
Just watch out for power fists and beware of any scheme that uses the term “participant payment”.
Marcus the Motivator, Millennial Motivational Master, April 8-20, Horse Bazaar. Tickets $20-$25.
ZACH & VIGGO
Instant favourites since their 2017 festival debut, these classically trained clowns stage their crowd-rousing mayhem with abandon and absolutely no respect for convention.
Guaranteed to get the adrenaline rushing.
Zach and Viggo, Thunderflop, March 28-April 21, Greek Centre. Tickets $20-$28.
NIKKI VIVECA
More a storyteller than a joke teller, Nikki Viveca (The Lazy Show; Trans Magic) serves up a cabaret show promising to dissect the desire to marry.
Warning: the show may contain scenes of unashamed cake eating.
Nikki Viveca, The Cake Bride, April 11-14, The Melba Studio. Tickets $22-$27.
ROWAN THAMBAR
Chosen to be part of last year’s The Comedy Zone line-up and nominated for best comedy at the 2017 Melbourne Fringe, Sri-Lankan Aussie Rowan Thambar melds big-hearted musical with stand-up comedy.
As a 23-year-old, Thambar is at liberty to deride millennials’ life experiences.
Rowan Thambar, 23 and Disappointed, March 28-April 21, The Victorial Hotel, Vic’s Bar. Tickets $18-$25.
FRINGE WIVES CLUB
A huge hit last year, this boisterous all-femme troupe returns to unsettle the patriarchy and raise a few hundred peals of laughs along the way.
Think the #metoo movement as a collision of sketches, music numbers and pratfalls and you’ll get the general idea.
Highly energetic, crowd-pleasing feminist cabaret with a lot on its mind.
The Fringe Wives Club, Glittergrass, March 28-April 21, The Coopers Malthouse. Tickets $23-$32.
SHANE HENRY
And not a moment too soon.
This show is based on Henry’s observations and experiences in the field. Should be fascinating.
Shane Henry, Kŕi̇ți̇ķē (A Critical Analysis of Modern Comedy and its Subject), March 26-April 7, Tasma Terrace 4. Tickets $20-$25.
TIM ELLIS
Veteran Melbourne magician, and one of Australia’s finest, presents an intimate evening about the art of illusion and misdirection in his own purpose-built magic venue.
The show is already selling out so get in quick before tickets...disappear.
Ellis is one of Australia’s best-known magicians overseas and is an accomplished alchemist: just give him a rubber band, a deck of cards or a $20 note and he’ll turn it into entertainment gold.
Tim Ellis, Astonishment!, March 28-April 18 (selected dates), The Laneway Theatre. Tickets $20.30-$25.30.
STUART DAULMAN
Dying to know the tricks and techniques to performing comedy?
Esteemed local comic Stuart Daulman takes stock and shares all the secrets you need to know in this educational one-man character piece from one of Melbourne’s most respected comedy fixtures.
Stuart Daulman, Masterclass, March 28-April 21, Melbourne Town Hall. Tickets $22-$28.50.
FAULTY TOWERS THE DINING EXPERIENCE
Ever wanted to find out what being a guest at Fawlty Towers would actually be like?
Well, here’s your chance.
This part-scripted, part-improv interactive dining experience will get you a three-course meal served up over two hours with a side of calamity created by Basil, Sybil and Manuel.
Melbourne local Anthony Sottile plays Manuel in the show, which was created in Brisbane in 1997 and has travelled the world ever since.
Faulty Towers The Dining Experience, April 9-14, Stamford Plaza Melbourne. Tickets $89-$99.
PAMELA’S PALACE
After making its world premiere at last year’s Edinburgh Fringe, this interactive UK musical theatre comedy about a buzzing beauty salon makes its Melbourne International Comedy Festival debut this year.
Expect a underworld of combs, curlers and hormonal imbalance, as Pamela deals with customers, her own problems and a Salon of the Year competition.
You’ll get live music, dance routines and lots of laughs.
Pamela’s Palace, March 27-April 6, The 86, Tickets $25.50-$31.50.
50 SHADES! THE MUSICAL PARODY
Lauded as filthy and funny, the hilarious 50 Shades! The Musical Parody has sold out shows across the world since 2014, with its send-up of the best-selling books, Fifty Shades of Grey. It explores the steamy relationship between the well-known characters of the book as seen through the eyes of three women in a book club.
50 Shades! The Musical Parody, Alex Theatre St Kilda, until April 7. Tickets $49.90-$57.90.
BEHIND THE LINES 2018
Political cartoonists cast a critical, visual eye over issues of the day, and this travelling exhibition celebrates the most powerful, fearless and witty cartoons of last year.
Wander through and you’ll see why every politician, party or political decision is a potential target for a cartoonist’s pen.
Behind the Lines, Old Treasury Building, March 26-April 18. Free entry.
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