What to see at the Melbourne International Comedy Festival this weekend, April 12-14
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.
Comedy Festival
Don't miss out on the headlines from Comedy Festival. Followed categories will be added to My News.
We’re past the halfway mark of the Melbourne International Comedy Festival, which means jokes are well and truly honed in time for the penultimate weekend.
From a big-name benefit in support of Christchurch terror victims to a chat show with a difference, these are best offerings at the Melbourne comedy festival this weekend.
WHO’S FIRING AT COMEDY FESTIVAL HALFWAY MARK?
WHERE TO CATCH THE COMEDY FESTIVAL OUTSIDE THE CBD
HERALD SUN COMEDY FESTIVAL REVIEWS
SPECIAL EVENTS
STAND UP FOR CHRISTCHURCH
The names don’t get much bigger, nor does the cause.
Dave Hughes, Tommy Little, Urzila Carlson, Celia Pacquola and Joel Creasey are among the big-name comedy stars who will come together on Saturday to perform a benefit show in support of the victims and families affected by the March 15 terrorist attack in Christchurch.
All money raised from the show, hosted by organiser Nazeem Hussain, will be donated to the The Christchurch Foundation’s Our People, Our City fund.
Hussain says comedians were quick to rally for the cause: “This line up came together miraculously quick. Comedians normally take 48 hours to respond to anything. They all texted back within two minutes!”
Stand Up for Christchurch, Melbourne Town Hall, Main Hall, Saturday, 4.30pm-6pm.
NO APOLOGIES: THE CHAT SHOW
Australia’s funniest women opened up about their careers, lives, triumphs and failures in Joanne Brookfield’s new book, No Apologies: Women in Comedy Claiming their Space, Finding their Voices and Telling their Stories.
The book, released to coincide with the comedy festival, features interviews with 60 big names and rising stars including Wendy Harmer, Urzila Carlson, Jo Stanley, Denise Scott, Fiona O’Loughlin, Steph Tisdell and Mel Buttle.
On Saturday, Brookfield will bring her book to life as a chat show on stage with Judith Lucy, Bev Killick, Fringe Wives Club and more. It will be fascinating.
No Apologies: The Chat Show, The Coopers Malthouse, Saturday, 4pm.
RAW COMEDY NATIONAL GRAND FINAL
Who is Australia’s next Hannah Gadsby, Rhys Nicholson, Celia Pacquola or Ronny Chieng?
They’ve all come a long way since first trying their luck in the RAW Comedy open mic competition — and now a new crop of newcomers will have their chance at glory.
Sunday’s national final is the culmination of months of heats and semi-finals around the country.
Check it out and you may just spot a future comedy king or queen before they “make it”.
RAW Comedy National Grand Final, Melbourne Town Hall — Main Hall, Sunday, 5-7pm.
COMEDY OUT WEST
The western suburbs’ answer to RAW Comedy is an open mic night that puts the judging in the audience’s hands.
Get your fill of laughs from local and imported comedians, then decide who gets the winner’s gong — in this case, a cow bell — for this year.
Comedy Out West, Kindred Studios and Bar, Yarraville, Saturday, 7.30pm.
LAST-CHANCE SHOWS
MARIA BAMFORD
It’s been a short, but oh-so-sweet, visit to our shores by US star Maria Bamford, whose run of five shows finishes on Saturday.
That gives you just a couple more nights to find out why she’s been dubbed the “funniest woman in the world”.
Maria Bamford, The Irrelevant Redundancy, The Forum — Downstairs, Fri-Sat 6.45pm.
AKMAL
He’s only doing three shows this year, but trek over to Crown and you’ll see why Akmal has the comedy chops to be a perennial festival favourite.
His set at Monday’s A-List Comedy Sampler was a highlight of the night.
Akmal, Transparent, The Palms at Crown Casino, Fri-Sat 9pm.
BEV KILLICK
Motherhood just doesn’t look the same when Bev Killick does it. It’s smokier, boozier and swearier, for starters.
You only have one more day to find out why she describes herself as “Crummy Mummy”. Strap yourself in.
Bev Killick, Crummy Mummy, Melbourne Town Hall — Powder Room, Monday, 8.30pm.
DAVE’S SHED SHOW LIVE
Urzila Carlson, Sam Pang and Hamish Blake will all pop into Dave’s Shed Show for the final two live programs of the internet chat show this weekend.
Catch the shed-free shenanigans hosted by Dave Lawson with Mark Wilson (from Jet) as house band Jet, Ryan Shelton and Stephen Curry.
Dave’s Shed Show Live, Melbourne Town Hall — Lower Town Hall, Fri-Sat 11pm.
CELIA PACQUOLA AND LUKE MCGREGOR
Celia Pacquola and Luke McGregor co-create, co-write and co-star in ABC comedy Rosehaven — here’s your chance to find out how they do all that together AND manage to remain firm friends.
Hosted by Myf Warhurst, Celia Pacquola and Luke McGregor In Conversation gives a behind-the-scenes look at their friendship and artistic endeavour.
Celia Pacquola & Luke McGregor In Conversation, Arts Centre Melbourne — Fairfax Studio, Sunday, 4.30pm.
OTHER SHOWS TO CHECK OUT
Jimeoin was in fine form at our Lunchtime LoLs Facebook Live on Wednesday, and this is the first weekend you can catch his new show, Result.
Another new show worth checking out is Margot Tanjutco’s Vanity Fair Enough, for a fun hour of songs, sketch and stand-up.
It’s also the first weekend to see the new line-up of US stars in the Headliners showcase. Liza Treyger, Samantha Ruddy and Langston Kerman will hit the Max Watt’s stage from 8.15pm on Friday and Saturday, and 7.15pm on Sunday.
Other must-see shows we highly recommend you squeeze in this weekend are Sarah Keyworth’s Dark Horse, Jordan Brookes’ Bleed, Garry Starr in Conquers Troy, and Zack Dyer’s Sensitive New Age Bogan.
And after all that, make sure you hit Max Watt’s for the late-night Festival Club. Becky Lucas, Nina Oyama, Larry Dean, Samantha Ruddy, Cassie Workman and Luke Heggie are among the line-up on Friday night. On Saturday you’ll see Cal Wilson, Fern Brady, Carl Donnelly, Alex Ward, Amos Gill, Dane Simpson, Daniel Connell and Demi Lardner, among others. And on Sunday it’s Haus Party with Otto and Astrid.
FREE FAMILY FUN
THE (VERY) BIG LAUGH OUT
Both Melbourne Museum Plaza and Fed Square play host to this kid-friendly, 90-minute showcase this weekend.
16 OF THE BEST KIDS’ COMEDY SHOWS
Kick off the Friday funnies with Cho Kairin, The Chinese Acrobat, at Melbourne Museum Plaza at 1.30pm, followed by MCs The Listies, Bubblegum Cabaret and more on the Fed Square main stage from 5pm.
Cho Kairin will also perform at Melbourne Museum Plaza at 11.30am on Saturday and Sunday.
Double Denim will take on MC duties at Fed Square from 2.30pm on Saturday and Sunday.
The (Very) Big Laugh Out, Fed Square and Melbourne Museum Plaza, until April 20.
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?
Where to catch the comedy festival outside the CBD
You don’t have to hit the CBD to catch Melbourne comedy festival shows. If you can’t make it to the city, here’s how to get your fill of laughs in the suburbs and regional Victoria.