Imagine telling your mates you saw the likes of Ronny Chieng, Hannah Gadsby or Rhys Nicholson for $15 before they were selling out theatres around the world?
Imagine no longer, because RAW Comedy is holding their epic semifinals on March 7 and 13 at Howler, giving Melburnians the chance to see the best emerging comedians in the country perform the best set of their lives, and throw themselves in the spotlight for future stardom.
By the time they reach the semi-finals, the competitors are red-hot and in peak joke-telling condition, so you can expect high quality, side-splitting material.
Raw Comedy semi-finals
- $15.00
- 7-13 March 2024
- 120 minutes
- 19:30
- Howler Bar
- Suggested for ages 15+
Oh, and did we mention the superstar hosts?
- Semi Final 1 – 7 Mar: Carl Donnelly (UK)
- Semi Final 2 – 13 Mar: Lizzy Hoo
- Victorian state final – 21 Mar: Daniel Connell
Explore Melbourne’s latest arts and stage news, features, festivals, interviews and reviews here.
Watch Ronny slay back in 2010 above.
To give a sense of just how star-making this competition is, the alumni includes Anne Edmonds, Hannah Gadsby, Ronny Chieng, Matt Okine, Becky Lucas, Aaron Chen, Sarah Kendall, Sam Simmons, Celia Pacquola, Luke McGregor, Rhys Nicholson, Tom Ballard, Sam Campbell, Georgie Carroll, David Woodhead and Cassie Workman, just to name a few. No doubt about it, this year will unearth another hidden gem (or several).
RAW Comedy has been running for a whopping 28 years now, firmly establishing itself as Australia’s most comprehensive and prestigious open-mic comedy contest. This year it’s happening at one of Melbourne’s best small venues as well, the gorgeous Howler in Brunswick.
Then of course, you have the Victorian state final on March 21, so after you’ve attended the semi-finals and staked your bets on a future champion, head along and see them take out the crown, details here.
If you’ve made it in Australian comedy, chances are you started here. The semis are always a boisterous atmosphere and incredibly fun time for an absolute bargain price, so get tickets before they sell out and lock in that future comedy street cred here.
This article was made in partnership with RAW Comedy.
