With four weeks of comedy totaling more than 6,600 performances and over 2,000 performers, the festival has come a long way since its humble beginnings in 1987 with just 56 shows. In celebration of their 30th anniversary, the festival will be throwing several special events including a major exhibition delving into the history of the event and a one night only ‘Birthday Bash’ with stand-up from comedy heavyweights past and present.
Shows from Australian comics include Celia Pacquola, Anthony Morgan, Hannah Gadsby, Judith Lucy, Tommy Little, Frank Woodley, Wil Anderson, Tom Gleeson, Sam Simmons, Peter Helliar, Damien Power, Dave Thornton, Dave Hughes, Steen Raskopoulos, Tom Ballard, Anne Edmonds, Joel Creasey, Matt Okine, Nick Cody, Carl Barron, Akmal, Em Rusciano, Lehmo, Lawrence Leung, Adam Richard, Nazeem Hussain and a whole lot more.
International highlights feature the likes of Rich Hall, Sarah Millican, Sara Pascoe, Danny Bhoy, Penny Arcade, David O’Doherty, Arj Barker, Stephen K Amos, Ongals, Urzila Carlson, Luisa Omielan, Ross Noble and Paul Foot alongside debut Australian appearances from Bridget Everett, Mae Martin, Hall Cruttenden, Igor Meerson and Sara Schaefer.
As well as a slew of solo acts, nationally renowned programs make their return to the festival including open mic competition RAW Comedy, the youth oriented Class Clowns, indigenous showcase Deadly Funny as well as the Allstars Supershow, Oxfam Gala and Upfront Gala.
