Comedian Jay Wymarra to host RAW Comedy Cairns heat, Melbourne International Comedy Festival

Cairns comedians will be able to compete for a spot at the Melbourne International Comedy Festival as registrations for the RAW Comedy competition open this month.

Torres Strait comedian Jay Wymarra will host the International Melbourne Comedy Festival RAW Comedy, Cairns Heat at Macalister Brewing Co. on March 1. Photo: Supplied.

Cairns comedians will be able to compete for a spot at the Melbourne International Comedy Festival with registrations for the RAW Comedy competition now open.

Hosted by Torres Strait comedian Jay Wymarra, the Cairns heat will take place at Macalister Brewing Co on March 1, with registrations to compete open from February 1.

“The Cairns heat is part of the regional Queensland heats for the RAW national competition which is happening in March,” Mr Wymarra said.

“Essentially it’s a program run by the festival that scours the nation for the next up and coming comedian, they call it RAW because it’s all about seeking the raw talent.”

Mr Wymarra likened it to ‘The Australian Idol of comedy’.

“To use a hackney comparison, it’s kind of like Australian Idol, looking for the next big comedian to come out of the works.”

A homegrown talent, Mr Wymarra got his start at 15 years old in the Class Clowns competition for students at the former Cairns Civic Theatre, now Cairns Performing Arts Centre.

“I was lucky enough at 15 to compete in that – it was the first time I got on stage and I had some really gammon jokes about the Transformers and just really silly ‘Yo Mama’ jokes and that sort of stuff,” he said.

“I remember hearing the laughter, making the audience crack up, but what was more surprising is making an entire room laugh, and for someone who’s never experienced that before you go – I like that noise.”

Mr Wymarra encouraged locals to hop on stage and give it their best shot.

“My grandfather used to say (comedy) is the best fun you can have with your kit on,” he said.

“This is for the people who like to laugh and who like to make people laugh, you are more than welcome to come, and tell your enemies, we’ll take their money.”

To register, visit the RAW Comedy website.

Tickets are available via The Sit Down Comedy Club website.

Originally published as Comedian Jay Wymarra to host RAW Comedy Cairns heat, Melbourne International Comedy Festival