MICF UPDATES
Celebrated as Australia’s biggest and most prestigious open mic comedy competition, Raw Comedy looks set to once again harvest the stars of tomorrow. In big news, the Festival just announced that Nazeem Hussain will host the RAW Comedy National Grand Final. Grab your tickets so you can say you saw these plucky young performers before they were cool. The RAW Comedy National Grand Final takes place at the Melbourne Town Hall, April 10 at 5pm.
MICF SELL-OUTS
Here’s a short list of the hottest tickets in town. These shows have sold out in the past week, with a few in particular gaining popularity with each passing day. Make a note of these names and be sure to get tickets ASAP if you’re keen.
Sam Kissajukian & Kyle Legacy – Comedy Boxing
Tom Ballard – Boundless Plains To Share
Victoria Healy – The Vick Van Dyke Show
MICF ENTREES (Early Shows, until 7pm)
Peter Jones – This Show May Be Recorded For Quality Purposes
Peter Jones works in a call centre. Anyone who has ever done that sort of work knows it’s a tough gig. Basically, he needs your laughter, so be sure to check out his latest hour This Show May Be Recorded For Quality Purposes. He may not have won Employee of the Month, but he could yet be one of your favourite performers of the festival. Catch one of Melbourne’s top-rated storytellers doing what he does best, Tuesday – Saturday 6pm and Sunday 5pm at the Greek Centre.
Guy Montgomery – Guy Montcomedy
This Kiwi comic lays claim to an impressive CV: he’s an award-winning comedian, improviser and screenwriter. It’s possible you know him as co-host of the international smash podcast The Worst Idea of All Time. Alongside fellow comedian Tim Batt, Montgomery watched Grown Ups 2 once a week, every week for a year. Fresh from therapy (presumably) Montgomery is now embarking upon his Melbourne International Comedy Festival debut. presenting an entertaining hour of jokes and stories. Not only is it meant to be weird, but critics are hailing Guy Montcomedy as funnier than Grown Ups 2. Seriously though, Montgomery recently played both Comedy At Spleen and The Shelf to a great reception, so this is a show you should check out for yourself. See Montgomery strut his stuff at the Forum, Tuesday – Saturday 6pm and Sunday 6.15pm.
MICF MAIN MEALS (Prime Time, 7pm-10pm)
Zoe McDonald – Good Morning Mofo
Musical theatre star Zoe McDonald has endured hours of morning television to bring you her latest character-driven comedy, Good Morning Mofo. Beat has described her previous show as “funny”, “touching” and “delightfully quirky”. You can bet McDonald will build upon this new show, in which she explores the intricacies of breakfast television – from Hollywood gossip to YouTube stars, as well as videos of kittens. Catch Good Morning Mofo Tuesday – Saturday 8.30pm and Sunday 7.30pm at The Coopers Malthouse until April 17. Be sure to listen to the MICF Menu podcast for Beat’s chat with Zoe McDonald.
Alex Edelman – Everything Handed To You
When Alex Edelman made his Melbourne debut in 2015, Beat Magazine awarded his show Millennial four stars, praising it as “thought-provoking and downright hilarious”. Now Edelman has returned and, if his set at the Opening Night Comedy Allstars Supershow is anything to go by, he’s in exceptional form. If you’re after an up-and-coming star of the stand-up comedy world, Edelman is your go-to guy. The Boston native brings his brand of intelligent comedy to the Melbourne Town Hall, Tuesday – Saturday 9.45pm and Sunday 8.45pm.
Roll up, roll up: Sammy J & Randy Land is officially open for business. The man/puppet duo have borrowed three million dollars and have opened a theme park. Not really, of course – that would be absurd. What the award-winning pair can offer, however, is an epic theatrical adventure that’s sure to leave your sides aching from laughter. You’d know their work from ABC TV, hosting the Melbourne International Comedy Festival Gala and tearing it up all over the country with their brand of music-comedy. They even won the Barry Award in 2010. They have a limited season this year, so you’ll need to book tickets ASAP. Sammy J and Randy are playing the Athenaeum Theatre from 29 March to 2 April (Tue-Sat 9.30pm, Sun 8.30pm) as well as from Apri 12 to April 17 (Tue-Sat 7pm, Sun 6pm). It’s going to be one hell of a ride.
MICF DESSERTS (Late Shows, 10pm onwards)
Are you aware of The Little Dum Dum Club? The popular comedy podcast arguably hits its best form when the Melbourne International Comedy Festival rolls around. Comedian hosts Karl Chandler and Tommy Dassalo have no trouble recruiting great local and international guests, bringing them into their world of self-proclaimed ‘dickheadery’. Their previous live shows have featured the likes of Wil Anderson, Hamish Blake, Adam Hills, Dave Hughes, David O’Doherty, Andrew O’Keefe, Stephen K Amos, Fiona O’Loughlin and Lawrence Mooney. Given that it’s a free podcast, you might be tempted to balk at buying tickets, but that would be a mistake: firstly, the live experience is always better and, secondly, ticket holders get access to the end-of-festival Drunkcast, where things get ridiculously loose. As fans of the podcast will attest, Karl, Tommy and their guests usually put on a great show. Catch their shenanigans at the European Bier Cafe, Wednesday 11pm and Sunday 3pm (as well as 3pm & 11pm, Sunday April 17).
Stuck for late night entertainment? Likeable-bloke-comic Ben Darsow is here to help, bringing his brand of laugh-out-loud observational and improvised stand-up to the Upstairs Lounge at Little Sista. Darsow has just retuned from touring North America, the UK and Asia and is primed to impress local audiences. Darsow’s season only runs until April 3, so catch him while you can. Tuesday – Sunday 11.30pm.
MICF SPECIALS (One-Offs and Discounts)
You’ve probably heard of Troy Kinne: he’s the guy in KINNE, the sketch comedy series. In good news for fans, Kinne is playing the comedy festival right up until April 17. The Big Little Things is an evening of Kinne’s very best stand-up, combined with brand new sketches. Given that he’s been on a roll lately, now’s the time to get on board. Super cheap tickets are available now from Halftix.
Tonight at The Festival Club, a bunch of the festival’s best comedians will be performing live for an ABC1 television special, Comedy Up Late. This evening’s line-up features MC Anne Edmonds, Simon Taylor, Lou Sanders (UK), Dr Professor Neal Portenza, Ivan Aristeguieta, Luke Heggie, Mae Martin (CAN), Daniel Fernandes (IND) and Aunty Donna.
