Today on MICF Daily, host Mike Brown speaks with New Zealand’s FanFiction Comedy group about lessons learnt at last year’s Comedy Festival, the intensity of making a documentary while performing shows, and the weirdness of finding adult fan fiction about the show’s producer Wil Anderson. FanFiction Comedy takes place every Saturday, Sunday, and Monday of the festival at the Melbourne Town Hall and the Victoria Hotel. For tickets and times, visit the Comedy Festival website.
This week in MICF Daily News:
– Charlie Pickering is back this festival with a comedy show that may make a difference to the world. The World’s Problems Solved sees Pickering team up with radio and TV presenter Waleed Aly to take a look at four big issues over the four weeks of the festival. On Sunday March 31, Waleed and Charlie work out how they are going to Stop the Boats. On Saturday April 6, the duo approach Homelessness. Sunday April 14 sees the two solve Climate Change, and the final instalment on Sunday April 21 looks at World Peace.
– Also announced were the lineups for Best Comics, Worst Gigs; a roundtable discussion about the bad times comedians have had at shows. Hosted by George McEncroe, the March 31 show will feature Justin Hamilton, Harley Breen, Dave O’Neil, Nick Cody, and Adam Richards. The April 7 show will feature Wil Anderson, Anne Edmonds, Dave Thornton, and Tommy Little. The final edition on April 14 features Fiona O’Loughlin, Josh Thomas, Celia Pacquola, Damien Callinan, and Greg Sullivan. Tickets for both shows are on sale at Ticketmaster.
– Pictures of You, the Channel Seven series goes comedy during the Melbourne International Comedy Festival. Host Brian Nankervis will speak with festival acts international and local, along with some special guests. Names already announced for the event include Andy Lee, Genevieve Morris, Merrick Watts, Felicity Ward, Shane Bourne, Josie Long, and Paul Foot. Check out the Comedy Festival website for the full listings on how you can see your favourite comics as part of Pictures of You.
– If it’s bad films that you want, Cinema Fiasco has you covered this festival. Fiasco features film buff comics Janet A McCloud and Geoff Wallis give live commentaries of the top of cinema dreck every Friday of the festival. Amongst the films selected – giant killer rabbits flick Night Of The Lepus plays on March 29, 60s Danish Monster movie Reptilicus is on April 5, Aussies hack and slash Houseboat Horror will be shown on April 12, and lesbian vampire film Vampire Lovers closes things out on April 19. Tickets for all films are on sale now at the Cinema Nova website.
– With over 400 shows on at this festival, being able to see shows at the festival can become an expensive proposition. Audience development website On The House is offering a select range of tickets for festival acts, and they are all being sold cheaper than usual. Tickets are available right now for The Moulin Beige, Squeaky Clean Comedy, and Emily Taylor to name a few. Further shows will be released as the festival draws near, so be sure to bookmark On the House today.
– Richmond pub Station 59 hosts free comedy throughout the year, and in addition to the 15 shows on during the festival at the venue, they have announced the return of Aristocrats Night. Inspired by the joke concept seen in documentary The Aristocrats, the night will feature comics competing in ordre to find the most insane, crazy, messed up version of the joke they can come up with. Festivities kick off at 7.30 pm on Wednesday April 24, entry is free.
