This event is part of the 2026 Melbourne International Comedy Festival.
Fifty, frisky and family roadtrippin’. A midlife crisis, a round-the-world tour and a glimpse of marital life. Laughs, luggage and a little lack of lingerie. Ooh la la! Following 10 sold out shows at Hong Kong’s oldest and best comedy club, the matriarch of Hong Kong comedy makes her long-awaited Australian debut.
In her bold new show, the Hong Kong-based, self-crowned queen of comedy will debut her her brand-new show MAITRIARCHY at the 2026 Melbourne International Comedy Festival at Ballers in Melbourne’s CBD.
“I can’t wait to hit the stage and bring laughter and joy to everyone who needs a little extra cheer right in the new year,”says Karanth. “As a comedian, reaching new audiences is absolute bliss. Melbourne, watch out, I am here to deliver!”
Maitreyi brings her storytelling style to the stage with her unique POV as an expat. She explores her life as a philanthropist, public speaker, wife, mother, and well-travelled woman with stories about being fifty, frisky and a full of life whilst traversing the planet. Karanth began her career in stand-up comedy 7 years ago and since then is the first woman in HK comedy to perform in a solo theatre show and sold out a 400-seat theatre. She sold-out 10 solo shows in Hong Kong and has opened for international comedy heavyweights: Tom Cotter, Gina Yashere, Atul Khatri and Pau Ogata to name a few. She made her Aussie debut in September 2025 at Sydney at Sydney’s Factory Theatre with DAUGHTER FROM ANOTHER OTTER alongside comedian Annie Louey for the Sydney Fringe Festival.
