And now for something funny

SOME of the world's finest comedians are bringing their droll world views to Australia's inaugural Just for Laughs festival.

SOME of the world's finest comedians are bringing their droll world views to Sydney as the Opera House hosts Australia's inaugural Just for Laughs festival.

Internationally renowned comics, led by John Cleese, will take centre stage at the Opera House for the four-day event.

The program, beginning today, also features international comedy stars: Irish funny man Dylan Moran, American superstars Louis C.K, Demetri Martin and Margaret Cho, quirky Canadian Martin Short and English nice-guy Russell Howard. Five of them are also performing for audiences in Melbourne, with Cho appearing in Brisbane on Monday.

In Sydney, two comedy galas on Saturday night, hosted by the Monty Python and Fawlty Towers star and interspersed with stand-up acts from the international guests, form the centrepiece of the event.

The festival - an offshoot of the original Montreal event pioneered by Gilbert Rozon - also features nine solo shows. It's the first event of a three-year deal, signed by the Sydney Opera House, in conjunction with comedy presenter Adrian Bohm.