Seven ways to get cheap Melbourne International Comedy Festival tickets
So your friends basically only open their wallets to let the moths fly out but they still don’t want to miss out on Melbourne International Comedy Festival completely.
Comedy Festival
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So your friends basically only open their wallets to let the moths fly out or they can barely afford the toilet window on their mortgage.
Still, they’re hellbent on making it to a Melbourne International Comedy Festival show.
They may not qualify for a concession price but all is not lost.
Fortunately, there are other means to catch shows on a budget or for free.
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Here’s our top tips on how:
TIGHTARSE TUESDAY
Every Tuesday during the festival a limited number of discounted tickets are released to shows throughout the week.
Look for the green dots on the comedy festival program.
You need to get in quick, however, as the discounted tickets are limited and others with mates who don’t pry open their wallets much will be on to it like moths to a flame.
PREVIEW SHOWS
It all comes down to the pink dots. Check out the comedy festival program and click on your preferred show.
If it has a pink dot next to the date you can catch a special preview performace on the cheap.
It’s the comic’s chance to iron out a few wrinkles in their show — to tweak with what flies and what falls flat.
The preview shows will generally be in the opening week, from Wednesday, March 27, (sometimes earlier) to Sunday, March 31.
MULTI-ACT SHOWS
Another way to get more bang for your buck is to catch a show with multiple acts.
The quick turnover means the comedians have to pull out their best material in a shorter time slot.
If they’re great, see if they’re doing a solo show and pencil them in; if they bomb, you haven’t wasted your time as there are still a host of others waiting to step up to the mic in the same show.
The Lawrence Mooney-hosted A-List Comedy Sampler, The Comedy Zone, Headliners (featuring big US names such as Saturday Night Live star Chris Redd) Bonanza of Comedy, Best of the Edinburgh Fest, Kings of Comedy and The International Comedy Showcase are among the mult-act offerings.
GROUP SHOWS
Round up a posse to take advantage of a discounted group booking.
Minimum group sizes vary so check the individual show pages.
BOOK IN BULK WITH A LAUGH PACK
Buy three or more full-price tickets on eligible different shows to receive a 10 per cent discount, not valid though on Tightarse Tuesdays, previews or Saturdays.
Check for the blue dot on this list of eligible performances.
TRADES HALL THREE-SHOW PASS
Triple your laughs with the festival’s Trades Hall Comedy three-show pass, which entitles you entry into three different shows at the venue, not on Wednesdays.
Passes can only be redeemed on the night of the show at the Trades Hall Comedy Box Office.
UP-AND-COMING ACTS
The biggest names all had to start somewhere and often the hidden gems lie in the smaller, dimly lit backroom venues where lesser-known comedians or debutants give it a crack.
Many comedians can be seen for as little as $10, while for $15 you could even catch a glimpse of the future at the Class Clowns National Grand Final.
It is there the nation’s best secondary school comedians square off in one teenage comedy showcase.
Class Clowns, National Grand Final, The Forum Downstairs, March 29.
FREE SHOWS
If your mates still aren’t prepared to fork out their hard-earned but want in on the laughs, these free festival options are still on the cards.
BIGGEST LITTLE CIRCUS
High-energy street theatre that even includes a human changing room, Biggest Little Circus is taking over the Fed Square main stage for three shows only.
Biggest Little Circus, April 5-7, Federation Square. Free
FULL LIST OF FREE PERFORMANCES ON OFFER AT FED SQUARE
FREE COMEDY AT HIGHLANDER
For more than seven years, Free Comedy Australia has provided laughs gratis at Highlander in the city.
Aaron Aardvark, Free Comedy @ Highlander, March 26-April 20, Highlander. Free
BEHIND THE LINES 2018
No politician or party is safe from Australia’s finest cartoonists. Catch this travelling exhibition of last year’s most bold and unique political cartoons at the Old Treasury Building.
Behind the Lines, The Year’s Best Political Cartoons 2018, March 26-April 18. Old Treasury Building, Free
DINNER DEALS
You’ve got your tickets but the city is buzzing with festival-goers grabbing a bite or a nightcap either side of their show.
Just because you’re wanting to do it on the cheap, doesn’t mean you need to go hungry or thirsty. Check out the festival’s full list of offical drinking and dining partners’ offers.
SAVE ON TRANSPORT
Jump on public transport to get to your show and remember every Friday and Saturday the Night Network ensures all-night services operate.
If you’re driving, look for a parking spot outside the CBD and walk in. Secure Parking will offer CBD parking deals during the festival.
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?