Ross Noble brought his new show On The Go to the Melbourne International Comedy Festival this year; self-described as 'smashing ideas together in the pursuit of fun', which could not be more accurate. The former Perrier Award nominee, Barry Award, and Time Out award winner for best live stand-up continues to amaze crowds with his unique spontaneous stage presence that goes on tangents as long as the show's length.
Everything from the unfortunate timing of his Russian doll themed set design, through to the strong audience participation from the front few rows was comically on brand for a Ross Noble show. On top of his usual rambling antics, the set included Ross asking two late arrivals to join the empty seats at the front, through to his attempts to make you think of him when you are next intimate. Other highlights of the show included his obsession with monkeys, his Valentine's date with his manager, and a wee wizard.
All round - wonderful scenes. As always, highly recommended.
Melbourne International Comedy Festival 2022
Bringing his Golden Gibbo nominated show Teacher back for another run at MICF 2022, was Ben Knight. After selling out shows in last year's festival, Ben's critically acclaimed show was a festival highlight for us - offering a refreshing new take and challenging the norm for comedy shows. We made our way down to the European Bier Cafe to catch one of Ben's shows, and enjoyed every minute of it.
Teacher follows scenarios drawn from and inspired by Ben's 13 years as a primary school teacher; with the show being a blend of stand-up and sketch. Using incredibly well acted voiceovers, Ben brings to life a series of characters we're all familiar with - a skeevy vice-principal, goofy PE teacher, and over-excited grad teacher, to name a few. Voicing his highs and lows of teaching, his frustrations at the system, and some golden one-liners from students, the show covers it all. Of course, it wouldn't be complete without a good measure of moving moments and a few dick jokes thrown in.
Regardless of whether you are or aren't actually in the education industry, Teacher is a brilliantly written show that will stick with you for a while. Make sure you catch Ben at the European Bier Cafe before the comedy festival comes to its close.
Melbourne International Comedy Festival 2022
The debut-stand up show from TikTok star Reuben Solo was held at the Belgium Beer Cafe as part of this year's Melbourne International Comedy Festival. Supported by his best friend Fergus Neil, who came on to warm up the crowd, Reuben's show had a bit of everything, with a great combination of sketches, experimental tunes and observations.
Garnering quite the online following with his deadpan takes on the world and his keen observational humour, Reuben's debut show saw the sketch comedian take a decent crack at performing stand-up. If you'd ever questioned the lyrics of James Blunt, wondered how someone makes it through life with partial colour blindness, or wanted to hear a song about losing your guitar pick, this was the show for you.
Melbourne International Comedy Festival 2022
Born from gay pride (both literally and figuratively), Kiwi comedian and winner of the New Zealand Celebrity Treasure Island, Chris Parker has arrived for his international getaway to attend the Melbourne International Comedy Festival.
In his new live show, Gentle Man, Chris talks about life growing up, attempting to fit in as one of the boys, and his time in the closet with Anne Frank.
Covering everything from the generational war between Boomers and Millennials, his obsession with parades, and the time his family sang to a dead guy named Terry, Gentle Man is both educational, insightful and packed with hilarity. This show is a must see.
Melbourne International Comedy Festival 2022
Cal Wilson is a Melbourne-based New Zealand stand-up comedian, author, radio and TV presenter, and she wants you to know that she's gone all out in her new show, I've Gone To A Lot Of Trouble. As you take your seat within the Victoria Hotel, the audience is greeted on arrival by a projection of Cal's smiling face across the walls, as well as an easel on stage with a kaleidoscopic portrait of herself, and a flowery headdress atop a mannequin head. You don't know what is about to happen, but it can only be good.
Throughout the show, you are invited on a journey through the last few years of Cal's life; creating office gossip in her own home, playing dress up in hotel quarantine, and solving how to ‘fix’ cricket as a sport. When she's not participating in, or binge watching reality TV shows, she's plucking chin hairs and buying up all of IKEA's stock as a joke.
Travel through time and space with Cal in the pilot’s seat, guiding you with a headlamp purchased specifically for the show. If you leave with any takeaways, it will be that a popular sunglasses brand does exactly what it sets out to do.
Melbourne International Comedy Festival 2022
Geraldine Hickey, winner of Most Outstanding Show 2021 Melbourne International Comedy Festival, is back with her latest and greatest show Now I've Got A Boat. After buying a tinnie boat off a 15-year old entrepreneur (who happened to be in the audience for the show), Geraldine outlines her life post-purchase. Setting sail on convention for an hour of laughs, join Geraldine on a boat she doesn't know how to operate, and get lost at sea.
Living in the moment throughout the pandemic, listen to her tales from afar as she recounts stories from her exotic trips to Tasmania, Perth and of course, Seahorse World. When she's not baking bread and making pasta like the rest of us plebs, Geraldine was off exploring the best this country has to offer. Don't miss the Dolphin Whisperer herself and her underwater spectacular performed in the comfort of the Art Centre Melbourne's Fairfax Studio. Do yourself a favour and go and see this show - it's a whale of a time.
Melbourne International Comedy Festival 2022
When he's not rolling around in his three year old's fecal matter, Dave Thornton is a stand-up comedian, actor, television and radio presenter. His hilarious new show That Happened paints a picture of the stark reality of navigating a lockdown with two young children - equipped with breathing exercises, mindfulness and a shitload of caffeine.
During a time where both everything and nothing happened all at once, Dave talks about his parenting techniques as a hands-on dad being enough to give a 70-year old woman an orgasm just for showing up. Come and see his show to hear about his plant-based diet, his decision to get a vasectomy, and the dangers of being part of a WhatsApp group.
Hit him up on his socials to get personalised recommendations for shows to see, or better yet, go and see him yourself!
Melbourne International Comedy Festival 2022
Two of our country’s biggest online comedians are live and taking their acts to the stage for this year’s comedy festival. With over 3 million followers between the pair, we made our way down to the European Bier Cafe to check out the two young comics.
First up was Lachlan Fairbairn, one half of the popular Fairbairn Films; his online skits with brother Jaxon. We sat and listened to first hand accounts and observations from Lachlan's own life and personal experiences; including being ridiculously tall, some interesting dating stories, and a range of hilarious impressions. Our favourite moments centred around stories from the farm and his parents, including when he showed his dad Spotify and changed the way farming would be done forever.
Next up on the main stage was Will Gibb, another popular TikTok creator turned stand-up comedian. Will split his time between commentary on everyday life and intimate crowd interactions and had the audience in stitches. When he's not talking about Grindr, coming out to his parents or his time at private school with the lads, he speaks to the crowd about their own experiences including, but not limited to their favourite word for vaginas. If you are keen to find out what Will's been up to since primary school, head down to the European Bier Cafe to catch Lachlan and Will's new show.
Melbourne International Comedy Festival 2022
As one of Australia’s most loved musical comedy acts, Symphony in J Minor sees Sammy J going back to his musical roots, with performances of his 2019 album of the same name. Accompanied by childhood friend and cellist Richard Vaudrey, Sammy J was in top form, playing to a packed out audience in the beautiful main hall at Melbourne Town Hall.
Armed with his trusty piano, quick-fire lyrics, and sharp mind, Sammy J opened up with a song about bitcoin and being anywhere else in the world but his show (Tuscan Villa). It was an opener that had the audience laughing along from the get-go, and beautifully showed off his piano work, backed by Vaudrey’s incredible talents on his cello. See You in 17 Years would've won 'most relatable song' for many attendees - as an ode to parenthood and the life changing experiences that come with it, while Marginal Seat was aptly timed with the federal election around the corner.
Pink Clouds, a clap-back at swearing too much, and the dramatic Aussie Aussie Aussie (Oi Oi Oi) were show highlights, and saw Sammy J's versatile musical talents spanning across genres. The audience went wild for a recital of The Ballad of Dunny Roll, which made an appearance in the set; a bit from the artist's show that quickly resonated with fans at the height of the pandemic.
Having not seen Sammy J live since his 2017 show, Hero Complex, seeing him back on stage playing his trademark musical comedy was a festival highlight for us, and left us feeling all sorts of things; humbled by the events of the last few years, eager for the next election, and thankful that this wholesome man exists. Sammy J is playing a limited number of shows at this year's festival, so make sure you get in quick and get your ticket sorted.
Melbourne International Comedy Festival 2022
Returning once again to the Melbourne International Comedy was Fern Brady - back in our city, and loving every minute of it. Catching her latest show Autistic Bikini Queen at the Mantra on Russell, we found ourselves laughing along non-stop with the fearless Scot's show, with possibly one of the loudest audiences we've experienced.
Fern kicked off with news of her recent autism diagnosis, which she says brought her relief and an understanding she needed - much to her peers' lack of surprise. Giving autism, especially 'hot women with autism' a new representation in the comedy world, Fern's show and experiences she shared brought a new perspective to the audience, albeit with plenty of chaos and jokes thrown in.
Brady's show plays into a lot of fears; from the idea of marriage, to walking alone at night and getting murdered. Thoughts on starting a new relationship, and 'everything moving closer to the grave' when ageing were standout moments of the show, and had the audience applauding along in agreement.
Sharing tales of Catholic guilt and medical surprises, Fern’s show was nothing short of crazy moment all wrapped up into a polished show. Make sure you catch Fern before the festival is over - book in your tickets at Max Watts or Melbourne Town Hall for her later dates.
Melbourne International Comedy Festival 2022
What do we know about Tom Cashman? He's a man; a true blue Aussie 'bloke'. He wants you to know that he has four female friends. And he really, really loves graphs. Playing this year's comedy show, we caught Tom at the Victoria Hotel, before he moved on to bigger crowds at Melbourne Town Hall.
The Sydneysider has caused quite a stir across the internet in the last couple years; challenging the rental market, and receiving threatening letters for 'dumping rubbish' on streets. It is these experiences that Tom gives us his side of the story, much to the audience's delight. With his skits that have blown way out of control, the blowback from the comedian's shenanigans have made Tom quite a hero, in his own right. At least that's what he'd like to think.
Despite Cashman earning a decent following on socials throughout the pandemic, his TikTok skits and graphs translated well for his onstage show - making it one of our favourites of the comedy festival. With his awkward, observational humour, it's hard not to love Cashman and all of his absurdity. Throw in a few VIC Police memes, a story about butt sweat stains, and standing up for the small dick community - and you've got yourself an hour full of laughs.
Melbourne International Comedy Festival 2022
The last time Phil Wang inserted himself into the Melbourne comedy scene was way back in 2019, before the thing, when there was ‘not a QR code in sight’. In that time a lot has changed, but Phil Wang’s demure delivery and dry wit has not.
2022 marks a significant year for Wang who has now spent the same amount of time living in the UK as he has in Malaysia. This dichotomy of culture is explored simply: The UK have issues with reheating rice, Malaysia have a problem with milk. It is this straightforward observation delivered with a nonchalant manner that attests to Phil Wang’s charm. His comments are harmless, his delivery is vulnerable, and the audience is in on the joke.
There are no props, no slides, no lights and no sound effects. Nor are they needed. Wang can transport you from the uncomfortable armchair in his family room to an octopus caught in a net with the simplest of ease. His thoughts on female censorship alone are worth the price of admission.
Given Phil’s unassuming nature, it is perhaps not surprising that few are aware of his Netflix special (including, it may seem, Netflix). This seems a shame, and a good starting point if you are looking for an international act of good quality. After a truly enjoyable hour of wit, charm and warped observations one thing is for certain – if you find your way into a Phil Wang gig, you will not want to find a way out…touch wood.
Melbourne International Comedy Festival 2022
Scale the multiple flights of stairs, to the top of Comedy Festival venue Swiss Club and here you’ll find the award winning and promising up and coming Daniel Connell (as seen on the Melbourne International Comedy Festival Gala and Kinne Tonight) and his show Gutless Wonder.
Connell’s broad appeal is apparent his sold-out audience had a varied representation of all ages and demographics, that were consistently engaged with the material that Connell’s stand-up delivered. Gutless Wonder is a neatly packaged up collection of dry and observational anecdotes that cover topics of Australian life as we know it during the pandemic, quintessentially Australian moments such as encountering a ‘snake catcher’ and the challenges met entering your thirties including entering the property market and assessing your circle of high school friends.
Connell, casually and light heartedly delivers his own personal stories in a way which makes immerses the audience into feeling as if they were right there, even when the tales lead into an unexpected quirk like one of your friends ending up in prison for lobster theft.
In the small intimate spaces of the Swiss Club, Connell used this to his advantage to interact with audience with some being continual callouts that grew to become endearing towards the end of the show. Connell’s talent in bringing infamous dry Australian humour in a back-to-basics way makes him a one to watch and likely to be crowd favourite of this seasons festival.
Melbourne International Comedy Festival 2022
From the minute you enter Max Watt’s in Melbourne you know you are in for something joyous. Pink lights, disco ball and the Sister Act soundtrack blasting at full volume. Audience members are dancing in their seats and that’s before Nath Valvo begins his magic.
There is no dead air. There are no weak moments. From the minute Valvo launches onto stage he has everyone in the palm of his hand. Valvo makes a clear point very early – he is not here to pick on the audience, he doesn’t want to share the attention, and nor should he. What ensues is an utterly hilarious and manic journey via Valvo’s box of childhood trinkets and a questionnaire completed on the first day of primary school.
For such an energetic opening and positive preposition, the message is a simple one: all your dreams are dead, the most significant moments in your life have probably already happened.
Valvo is honest, self-deprecating, and very, very funny – this should be no surprise to those who have seen him before. The content of his material is not complex, the ideas are easy to grasp. His passionate and creative delivery is a well-refined art with a simple anecdote about his partner’s favourite mug an absolute highlight.
The show concludes with an example of Valvo almost achieving his childhood dream. Leaving Max Watt’s to the tune of Delta Goodrem’s Born to Try one simply can’t help but think – Nathan Valvo’s dreams may be dead but his future as a comedian certainly isn’t.
Melbourne International Comedy Festival 2022
He makes it very clear from the start – this is not the best of Akmal. Despite its name, this is just another Akmal show. If you want to emulate Will Smith and hit Akmal that’s fine, just film it so he can raise his ticket price. There’s a drum on the stage for the duration of his performance – not used, simply there for tax purposes! This is a show filled with 50 minutes of hilarious jokes and 10 minutes for follow up questions.
Akmal is a 30+ year veteran of the stand-up comedy industry, and his experience shows. He has no problems stepping up to (and embracing) the chaos and distraction from his audience. Latecomers and a bunch of noisy 18-year-olds in the front row were no deterrent.
The great thing about Akmal is you know what you are going to get. He’s a reliable comedian, a funny man and excellent at building the tension in the room. He actively enjoys involving the crowd and bringing them along for the journey. Similar experiences relating to the Big Banana and Big Merino are very relatable and add to an intimate experience with someone who clearly loves what they do.
An enjoyable show with some great moments, the Best of Akmal would no doubt be a different experience every night – don’t be late!
Venue(s): Athenaeum Theatre Two
Dates: 30 March – 24 April (no shows Monday)
Time: Times may vary, please check website. Tickets: $35 - $49
Bookings: comedyfestival.com.au, 03 9650 1500 & at the door
Taking over the Famous Spiegeltent for this year's Comedy Festival is multi-award winning musical comedy due Flo and Joan. Returning to Melbourne, the newest show from the sisters (Rosie and Nicola Dempsey), Sweet Release is a sure hit, and will have you laughing along with their unique take on the genre.
Sweet Release tackles many topics we're all familiar with in this day and age; getting a fringe, navigating dating apps, life's regrets, and friends that you secretly hate. It's a soundtrack to the millennial way of life, complete with the duo's trademark melodies and quick-fire humour.
The sisters' banter between songs is at its strongest here, with Nicola's deadpan delivery beautifully playing off Rosie's happy-go-lucky/borderline frenzied moments. The two have mastered the art of commanding the audience, especially when it came to a moment in the show that snuck in a few rather important lines - leading to one of the best callbacks we've seen in a comedy show.
With a show that has quickly become our favourite of the festival so far, the duo truly must be seen to be believed. No doubt you'll be humming their songs to yourself later on, while wondering what it's like to die farting.
Melbourne International Comedy Festival 2022
A man who defines his life by McDonald's triple cheeseburger promotion is not a man to be trifled with - and that's just what Greg Larsen leads his latest show, We All Have Bloody Thoughts with. Self-described as 'deranged' and 'unhinged', it would be easier to ask what topic Larsen's show doesn't cover, with the comedian borderline ranting the duration of the show. Not to say that ranting is an issue here - the man leans into this as his strength, which had the audience screaming with laughter the entire show.
We All Have Bloody Thoughts sees Greg reaching into the recesses of his mind, and sharing his weirdest, dark thoughts with the audience - most of which you can't help but agree with. It's a laugh from start to end, with plenty of talk about shit-kicker jobs, capitalism, and lockdown moments.
Bits about debt collectors and left-wing politics were some of the show's strongest points, and saw Greg practically spitting out his words like a madman. Throw in a bout of history facts and viewpoints on babyccinos, and the show played out like a string of random thought processes and internal monologues - and we were completely there for it.
Melbourne International Comedy Festival 2022
Coming out of the telly and right onto stage is Hard Quiz Live, hosted by the one and only Gold Logie Award winning Tom Gleeson. With the Big Brass Mug in tow, Gleeson's beloved quiz show is now within grasp for viewers, as it heads on its national tour.
Hosted in Melbourne's Town Hall, Hard Quiz Live gives the audience members the chance to be part of the show, and get roasted in the process. On the particular date we booked in, the show had some absolute crackers of contestants - and Gleeson spared no feelings firing out plenty of snarky comments, much to the audience's delight.
In between rounds, Gleeson runs through the show's highlights over the years; with most reels having the audience crying with laughter. It's a celebration of sorts, for the beloved quiz show we've all seen throughout the years, which is now in its seventh season on the ABC.
So for the chance to enter a battle of the wits against fellow fans, share the stage with Tom Gleeson, and get strips torn off you, check out Hard Quiz Live - running until 9 April.
Melbourne International Comedy Festival 2022
Fresh off the success of his acclaimed Netflix comedy special, and his role as a judge on Ru Paul’s Drag Race Down Under, Rhys Nicholson brings us his latest musings with Rhys! Rhys! Rhys!
Touring his new show across the comedy festival circuit around Australia, we found ourselves at his show, aimed at forgetting about the last few years and getting back on track.
Rhys! Rhys! Rhys! is a hilarious show built on the chaotic energy that we’ve come to know and love from Rhys. With the comedian and writer acknowledging that while he is as busy as ever, he has been planning his retirement from all employment since the age of 14 years and 9 months.
With no set theme to his show, Rhys shared plenty of stories from his humble beginnings working at discount stores and watching porn with his friends, to growing up to plan the most memorable and disastrous wedding that he hopes people will talk about for years in their group chats.
If you’d like to see the comedian who has never had to 'officially come out’, and refused to spend any time during lockdowns to better himself, lean into the chaos and book your ticket now.
Melbourne International Comedy Festival 2022
You can also see Rhys! Rhys! Rhys! at:
Unless you’ve been living under a rock during the pandemic, you’ve still likely encountered the early 2020’s viral sensation Nat’s What I Reckon.
As a YouTuber, author, musician and mental health advocate, Nat has built his fandom on his iconic isolation cooking content and no bullshit approach to life. All thanks to the last couple years, Nat’s audience of over 2.5 million champions continues to grow, as he spreads his messages of positivity, kindness and inclusivity.
When you attend his new show Uncooked, you expect to spend an hour with a foul-mouthed and adored rockstar with the hair of an angel, who just so happens to listen to heavy metal.
What you get, is a piss-taking spectacular involving Nat in his element - talking shit, an in-depth story of the world’s most resilient donkey, and a conspiracy that goes all the way to the top. Add in some time spent in his comments section, a chat with Jim, and witness a new way to cook ‘shit on a stick’.
Catch Nat’s What I Reckon's Uncooked at one of his sell-out tours at any of the below dates: