Melbourne Comedy Festival under fire after Allstars Supershow continued while patron suffered fatal medical emergency

The Melbourne International Comedy Festival has come under fire amid claims multiple acts at its opening night show continued to perform while a man in the crowd suffered a fatal medical emergency.

Organisers of the Melbourne International Comedy Festival have come under fire amid claims multiple acts continued to perform while paramedics desperately tried to save the life of a man who died mid-show.

The festival’s Opening Night Comedy Allstars Supershow at the Palais Theatre in St Kilda was rocked by tragedy on Wednesday night when a man died after suffering a medical emergency in the venue’s upper level.

It is understood the man suffered a heart attack early in the gala that was being hosted by comedian and The Project regular Michael Hing.

Comedian Michael Hing was hosting the Allstars Supershow. Picture: Supplied

Multiple audience members have posted comments on the festival’s Instagram page raising concerns over how the incident was handled, amid reports up to three comedians continued to perform after the man collapsed.

Some said audience members were forced to yell out to performers on stage to stop the show after staff failed to intervene to stop the show for more than fifteen minutes.

“It was deeply concerning that the show continued for nearly two comedy acts while CPR and defibrillator shocks were being administered in the dark,” one attendee said.

Another wrote: “They were administering CPR and defibrillator shocks while flashing lights from the production kept changing, the volume of the mics were still extremely loud and people were laughing and clapping”.

“It 100 per cent should have been handled better.”

Yet another attendee said: “Very poor that the show continued for some 15 mins while compressions took place with only patrons yelling to stop the show while crew attended to the person”.

Attendee Stephanie said a comedian on stage had continued telling a “funny story about a drug trip” while the man received CPR.

She was seated at the back of the theatre and watched as people rushed to help the man, who was also seated toward the back.

“At first we saw some people gathered around, we thought someone’s fainted,” Stephanie told ABC Radio.

“We were expecting that then maybe they’d be carried or supported down to rest.”

Meanwhile, Stephanie said three comedians still took to the stage for about five minutes each while the “very distressing” scenes unfolded.

“As other people have said, it did go on for quite some time,” she said.

“Once we saw someone doing CPR, we were all shocked and so then the people in the upper section were not at all paying attention to the poor comedian who was trying to tell a funny story about a drug trip, which was unfortunate content at the time.”

Ambulances could be seen outside the Palais Theatre as patrons left the venue on Wednesday night.

The gala was held at St Kilda’s Palais Theatre. Picture: Luis Enrique Ascui

Dave Hughes was among those who expressed his shock. Picture: Supplied

Festival organisers confirmed the show had been rocked by a medical emergency which occurred during a performance by Michael Hing.

“The show was stopped and cancelled,” the festival said in a statement.

“The festival will be in touch with all ticket holders tomorrow.”

Victoria Police confirmed a man died at the scene.

“Police will prepare a report for the coroner following the death of a man in St Kilda,” police said in a statement.

Well-known comedians including Dave Hughes took to social media late Wednesday to express their shock.

“All performers’ thoughts are with the family affected,” Hughes said.

Fellow comedian Tahir said: “Sad news but correctly handled all round … well done everyone and thoughts with those involved”.

The Allstars Gala marks the beginning of the popular Melbourne International Comedy Festival.

The Supershow was the first event of the four-week festival and boasted online of “a star-studded line-up featuring comedy royalty from around the globe”.

Originally published as Melbourne Comedy Festival under fire after Allstars Supershow continued while patron suffered fatal medical emergency