Melbourne International Comedy Festival is taking over venues all over the city and for the month of April, Trades Hall is transforming into a house of laughs with a huge selection of comedy performances taking over the venue. Here are a handful of Trades Hall’s top picks to keep you entertained without emptying your bank account.
Trades Hall Comedy 3 Show Pass
What could be better than heading down to catch a killer comedy gig at Trades Hall? Only a three show pass, giving you access to thrice as many laughs at a trio of events of your choosing. The Trades Hall Comedy 3 Show Pass will stop you lightening your wallet whilst still allowing you to check out a range of shows from the 22 events on the Trades Hall MICF program. You can make your way to an entirely improvised musical courtesy of The Impromtunes, catch PO PO MO CO”s adults-only take on a 1922 German vampire film performed by queer clowns, witness Soothplayers’ comedic take on Hogwarts through their previously sold-out show Comletely Improvised Potter or catch the stand-up stylings from the likes of Guy Williams, Patrick Collins, Kaitlyn Rogers and Perri Cassie. The events are all taking place at Trades Hall between Thursday March 29 and Sunday April 22. Just remember, it’s one pass per person so your mates can’t ride on your pass. Check out the huge selection of comedy acts at comedyfestival.com.au.
Aboriginal Comedy Allstars
Drawing upon a vast history of storytellers, Aboriginal Comedy Allstars brings Australia’s Indigenous comedy legends to the stage to unfold a world of laughs weaved with thought-provoking ideas and some cheeky jabs to boot. Join Kevin Kropinyeri for some observational humour meshed with slapstick antics, seasoned performer Sean Choolburra renowned for his ability to marry comedy and culture, MICF resident Andy Saunders and the charismatically bold Steph Tidsell, offering personal self-expression through her comedy. Aboriginal Comedy Allstars is happening in The Meeting Room at Trade Hall from Monday April 9 until Friday April 15 (excluding Wednesday).
The Comedy Zone
MICF has hand-picked five up and comers to take you to The Comedy Zone. Fresh in every sense of the word, these new faces will have you belly-laughing in no time. Blake Freeman will have you lapping up his relatable yet goofy comedy whilst Bonnie Tangey showcases her unique blend of poetry, stand-up and dance, Queenslander Jack Gramenz displays his insightful humour, Rowan Thambar tells tales of growing up Australian-Sri Lankan and Zack Dyer delivers his laidback comedic style. The Comedy Zone is happening in The Meeting Room every night excluding Wednesdays from Thursday March 29 until Sunday April 22.
Simon Taylor
With a show titled Happy Times performed by one of Australia’s hottest comedians, you can pretty much guarantee you’ll be in for a good night with Simon Taylor. Delivering his sharp wit with a hilarious retelling of his ‘you’re going to be a dad, oh wait you might not be the dad’ saga, Taylor will have you in stitches as he dredges up all the gory details of the incident in a satirical light. Catch Simon Taylor in The Meeting Room and The Quilt room on Thursday March 29 and every Tuesday in April.
Alex Ward
After a slew of sell-out debut shows in 2017, Alex Ward is back with her latest antics in Good, Great. Shrouded in sarcasm, cynicism and self-degradation with a hint of optimism set to spike your anxiety levels and then rid your worries all in the space of one show, Alex Ward – who spends her time writing for The Project when she isn’t producing stand-up gold – is a wizard with her words which will leave you laughing and contemplating people, life and love throughout. Catch her in multiple locations throughout Trades Hall between Tuesday March 27 and Sunday April 22.
