Returning for its 26th year for one night only is Upfront – a showcase of female and non-binary comedic talent. Once again in the Main Hall of Town Hall, this year’s gala was hosted by the charming Jude Perl, who opened the gala with a song about labels. Starting off the first half of the night was Chris Ryan, whose aspirations to be calm had the audience in stitches. Laura Davis told us stories about being a party killer and how to best run threesomes, while Butchulla comedian Janty Blair made her Upfront debut sharing tales stemming from her country.
Aussie royalty Anne Edmonds made her grand return to comedy this year, after becoming a late-in-life mother. Back to her usual antics onstage, Anne explained to us how her motherhood was all about the power in your backside. One of our faves this comedy festival, Michelle Brasier played an ode to millennials, complete with homages to Y2K and high-waisted jeans. Brit Georgie Carroll shared horror stories from the medical world, based on her experience as a nurse, which was followed up by Chloe Petts relishing in the male privilege she enjoys as a masculine lesbian.
Latin-American comedian Lara Ricote was a gala highlight for us; with her stories of living as a deaf woman and role-playing with her boyfriend cracking us up. Delivering every line completely deadpan, Sonali Thakker talked about one of her favourite things (herself), including the situations her parents put her in, which the audience all cheered along to as a sign of understanding. Great Australian Bake Off host Claire Hooper was the closer for the night’s first half, and brought the show full circle as she brought up her own takes on the topics her gala-mates raised.
After a short intermission, Jude Perl played a song about bullying, which taught us all valuable advice from her grandmother. Up next was self-proclaimed bad bitch He Huang, who drew from her experiences of being the baddest of them all. Triple-threat Rosie Jones tells the audience how she is unapologetically a little prick, and cheekily shares memories from her dating life. The incredibly quick-witted Sara Schaefer couldn’t be happier to be in Australia, especially after witnessing American Gen Zers’ obsession with our pronunciation of the word ‘no’, while the legendary Cal Wilson shows us how she became such a mainstay in the local comedy scene. After fronting for the affirmative team in this year’s Great Debate, Lizzy Hoo shares her woes of turning 40; with Sashi Perera soon telling us all about her honeymoon, and the shock of not being her husband’s emergency contact.
When she’s not writing for or starring in TV shows, Alex Ward is being recognised (kind of) in public – but not really. Changing up the pace was Alex Hines, performing the chaotic Balinese Cell Block Tango from her show To Schapelle and Back. Have you ever wondered what it’s like to run as a Greens candidate and lose? Mandy Nolan does – and she had the audience screaming with a story on unconventional ways to gain voters. Before we know it, the show is nearing its end – but not before Jordan Gray takes to the stage. As a proud trans woman, Jordan tells us all why she’s better than us, and lets us in on a little secret (it’s not what you think).
Once again, Upfront has put on a hell of a show, with the perfect mix of both emerging and current talent. With an incredible and inspiring lineup of comics that continue to push the boundaries and challenge stereotypes, it’s no wonder that Upfront is one of the comedy festival’s main events that we look forward to each year.