Now in its third decade, Upfront presents an amazing night filled with some of the most hilarious women of the festival. Hosted by Geraldine Quinn, the incredible all-female evening boasts a jam-packed lineup including – but not limited to – Cal Wilson, Susie Youssef, Hannah Gadsby, DeAnne Smith, Urzila Carlson, Sarah Kendall, Demi Lardner, Laura Davis, Zoe Coombs Marr, Josie Long and Anne Edmonds. See for yourself at Melbourne Town Hall’s Main Hall on Wednesday April 19.
Triple j’s legendary Easter broadcast is back once more, with Breakfast team Ben and Liam taking the helm for the very first time. In a free event, Good Az Friday will broadcast directly from MelbourneTown Hall’s Main Hall on Friday April 14, featuring a plethora of Festival performers and live music. Get in early (before 12pm) to ensure that you can snap up a seat.
Deadly Funny has been unearthing the most hilarious new Indigenous talent for over 11 years now, and in the National Grand Final & Showcase, the best of the best will be bringing their funniest to take out the $2,000 Grand Prize. Hosted by legendary comics Sean Choolburra, Shiralee Hood,Kevin Kropinyeri and Andy Saunders, the competition will also feature a performance by 2016 winner Jalen Sutcliffe. Catch Deadly Funny at Art Centre Melbournes’s Fairfax Studio on Saturday April 8.
RAW Comedy is Australia’s biggest comedy competition, propelling emerging comedians from all across the nation head-first into the comedy world. Now, it’s only the best of the best remaining. The winner heads to the Edinburgh Festival Fringe – the world’s largest annual comedy gathering. Past winners include Chris Lilley, Josh Thomas, Hannah Gadsby, Peter Helliar, Claire Hooper, Celia Pacquola, Luke McGregor and Ronny Chieng. See the future of comedy at Melbourne Town Hall’s Main Hall on Sunday April 16.
Returning for a third year, Comedy Zone Asia showcases the best laughs from across the continent. Catch the legendary antics of “The King of Malaysian Comedy” Douglas Lim, purveyor of the absurd Rizal van Geyzel, winner of RAW Comedy India Neeti Palta, NDTV Rising Stars of Comedy’s Sumit Anand and hard-hitting Singaporean laugh-crafter Jinx Yeo. Comedy Zone Asia hits Melbourne Town Hall’s Regent Room from Thursday March 30 – Sunday April 23 (bar Mondays).
The Moosehead Awards are a prestigious occasion, traditionally closing the Comedy Festival for 31 years running. Collecting the biggest names of the festival in one room – alongside tomorrow’s stars – the awards showcase artists that are exciting and different, in memory of comedian, actor and fringe comedy producer Brian McCarthy. This must-see occasion can be found at Melbourne Town Hall’s Main Hall on Sunday April 23.
Within a conservative culture and an environment of media censorship, the comedy scene in India is currently vital to freedom of expression and belief. Stand-up is a form of art that goes largely unpoliced, allowing for comment on critical social issues. Indian comedy stars Daniel Fernandes, Neeti Palta and Sapan Verma will host this free event, discussing censorship and the importance of stand-up at The Wheeler Centre on Saturday April 22.
The 28th Annual Great Debate shall rise once more, bigger and more bombastic than ever. A true festival favourite, the Great Debate pits two teams of the famously quick-witted and sharp-tongued against each other (and the similarly-ferocious adjudicator) for the satisfying grand prize of just generally being better. Broadcast on the ABC, the Great Debate is one of the hottest tickets in town at Melbourne Town Hall’s Main Hall on Saturday April 15.
Melbourne transforms come festival season into a fun, family-oriented extravaganza, bringing some of the world’s most wonderful street performers to multiple stages across Federation Square. Catch the completely free event packed with the energetic antics of comedy, circus, clowning and acrobatics from all around the world. The antics of Daredevil Chicken Club, manoAmano Circo, Witty Look and Mr Moriyasubanbanbigaro await your eager eyes at the Fed Square Bowl between Saturday April 8 – Sunday April 16.
A handpicked selection of some of Australia’s brightest rising stars, the Comedy Zone presents an incredible lineup of the hilariously talented and original. Catch the twisted delights of Danielle Walker, Rohan Ganju, Tim Hewitt, Nat Damena and Tom Cashman as they weave their wholly unique styles. This is your opportunity to catch tastemakers before they become huge, household names. Catch them at the Trades Hall’s Old Council Chambers from Thursday March 30 – Sunday April 23 (bar Wednesdays).
