Experience some of the most memorable and joyously unexpected shows at the Melbourne International Comedy Festival.
From 27 March to 21 April the city will load up on laughs when the Melbourne International Comedy Festival takes over town. With a jam-packed program of comedy’s biggest stars and all the next-big-things, it’s time for audiences to get in on the joke, be in the room and revel in the joy.
2-for-1 tickets* to selected Melbourne International Comedy Festival showsCredit: Melbourne International Comedy Festival
We are pleased to offer Age subscribers 2-for-1* tickets to selected viewings of a curation of funny and inspiring performances. To redeem, simply add two full priced tickets to your cart from the offer page and apply the promotion code ‘LAUGHS’ before you check out. Be quick, ticket allocations per session are limited and subject to availability.
International acts
Anirban Dasgupta (India) - Polite Provocation
Sardonic cynicism at its best. Anirban Dasgputa returns to Melbourne for his solo debut, delving into life in India weaving through three generations of his family’s journey from British India to the present, with the recent birth of his daughter prompting the question: what world did he bring his child into? Coming from Kolkata and now rocking Mumbai, Anirban is not just a stand-up comedian; he’s a screenwriter and a new dad with a style that’s uniquely his own. Once a corporate hotshot, he’s graced stages across India and the globe.
Carl Donnelly (UK) - Glow Up
Two-time Edinburgh Comedy Award nominee Carl Donnelly returns to Melbourne looking and feeling great. His all-new show Glow Up explores ageing, intrusive thoughts, becoming an unofficial Australian and much more. Carl has appeared on the Melbourne International Comedy Festival Gala as well as a host of other television shows and recently supported Kevin Bridges on his Australian and New Zealand tour.
Catherine Bohart (Ireland) - Again, With Feelings
Ireland’s award-winning Catherine Bohart returns to the Melbourne International Comedy Festival with a very funny new solo show, Again, With Feelings. She’s older than ever and quite frankly, adulthood isn’t living up to her expectations. In this second coming-of-age tale, Bohart navigates the complexities of having death-obsessed parents, living in a share house when you have OCD, and confronting the intricacies of queer reproduction in her thirties. What she thought would be a straightforward entry into adulthood turns out to be an hilariously twisted adventure.
Chloe Petts (UK) - If You Can't Say Anything Nice
Fresh from smash hit Edinburgh Fringe and Soho Theatre seasons, Chloe Petts returns to Melbourne with her solo debut. She’s charmed audiences with her polite take on big issues, and now she's cashing in those points and plans on being really rude. It’s no more Mr Nice Chloe. Expect routines on wedding dancefloors, the footie and calling you all a bunch of virgins, as Chloe reinvents herself as a tougher, more brutal comedian… supposedly.
Darren Harriott (UK) - Roadman
Two-time Edinburgh Award nominee, Darren Harriott, returns with a brand-new hour of laughs - Roadman, which explores how Darren’s life has changed for the better. He used to be a ‘Roadman' (British slang for a young gangster). He wouldn’t even smile for a photo, but now he’s trying all sorts of things and being put into spaces he sometimes thinks he doesn’t belong in, but he’s still smiling…just about. One of the most exciting comedians on the UK comedy circuit, Darren is the first black British stand up ever to be nominated for the Best Show Award at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe.
David O'Doherty (Ireland) - Ready, Steady, David O’Doherty
Having trained his body and mind to the point of peak perfection, David has used a very nice pen (worth €10/$16) to write a brand-new concert of talking and songs, ready to serve up to Aussie crowds.
Fern Brady (UK) - I Gave You Milk To Drink
Scotland’s Fern Brady is returning for a national tour with her new show, I Gave You Milk To Drink, a show about what happens when you get everything you want and it’s still not enough. Since her last run at the 2022 Festival, she has released her debut book ‘Strong Female Character’ (a memoir on sexism and neurodiversity) – which quickly made the Sunday Times Bestseller list. The book is due to hit shelves here in Feb & it discusses everything from her Catholic upbringing, to homelessness, and her late diagnosis of autism.
Headliners with Joel Kim Booster & Zainab Johnson (USA)
Hot on the heels of a sold-out 2023 season, this year’s Headliners are set to take the stage in an exhilarating double bill, featuring two of the most dynamic and downright hilarious comedians the USA has to offer!
Featuring Fire Island star Joel Kim Booster and series regular of Amazon Original’s UPLOAD, Zainab Johnson.
John Kearns (UK) - The Varnishing Days
The multi-award-winning and cult stand-up John Kearns brings his fifth solo show to Melbourne. With a whimsical and nostalgic, poetic slant The Varnishing Days meanders through vignettes from his past and imagined futures. A brand-new hour of heart-stopping, glasses-dropping, wig-shaking, knee-knocking and teeth rattling comedy. Ten years on, John is still the only comedian to have ever won the Edinburgh Comedy Award for Best Show (Shtick) and Best Newcomer (Sight Gags for Perverts) in the awards forty-year history.
Julia Masli (Estonia) - ha ha ha ha ha ha ha
Clown by trade Julia Masli at Melbourne International Comedy Festival.Credit: Melbourne International Comedy Festival
Edinburgh Festival Fringe’s breakout Estonian clown. Julia’s show ‘ha ha ha ha ha ha ha’ is a spellbinding mix of problem-solving, physical comedy and witchcraft in a show like no other. A clown by trade, Julia mines her encounters with audience members for problems to solve, generating live therapy sessions and daring physical stunts.
Kanan Gill (India) - What Is This?
Indian stand-up superstar Kanan Gill brings the world premiere of his new show, What Is This? to Melbourne. This is a show about nothing at all. So far. But what does nothing mean? What is emptiness empty of? Are thoughts thieves in an empty house? Off the back of his smash-hit Netflix special “Yours Sincerely”, his latest special “Is This It?” Kanan’s new show will delight long-term fans and no doubt win a whole new legion of followers.
Lara Ricote (Mexico) - Little Tiny Wet Show (baptism)
Winner of 2022 Edinburgh Comedy Award for best newcomer and 2021 Funny Women Stage Award twenty something Lara Ricote, returns to Melbourne with her surreal, dark (silly dark, not edge lord dark) show Little Tiny Wet Show (baptism) - a comedy show about what it's like to live, and what it means to care for someone if you always leave them. Legally deaf and a master storyteller, Lara brings her signature goofball skills, guiding audiences through intricate webs of ridiculousness with a touch of political ambiguity.
Larry Dean (UK) - Dodger
In a perfect concoction of wit, charm and downright hilarious storytelling, Larry’s new show Dodger will immerse audiences in the contagious joy of his uniquely crafted humour. From strength to strength, this year the award-winning comedian, writer and actor released his stand up special Fandan in the UK (Channel 4) and made his New York stage debut.
Martin Urbano (USA) - Apology Comeback Tour
Martin Urbano spent his long, lucky career talking and saying anything he wanted – until allegations surfaced. He stepped out of the spotlight, promising to take a long time to listen. Now he’s back! Martin tackles his allegations (and much more!) in this long-awaited apology comeback show. He shares his humorous musings on being cancelled, woke Twitter mobs and Uber. Martin has written for The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon, The Chris Gethard Show, Danny Brown’s show on Viceland and National Lampoon’s Radio Hour. As a stand-up he has been seen on Jimmy Kimmel Live!, Comedy Central’s Featured, CW’s Howie Mandel Gala and This Joka presented by Will Smith (pre-slap).
New Order (UK)
They’ve forged amazing careers in the UK and now three of Blighty’s hottest comedians are firing into Melbourne. Featuring Celya AB, Dan Tiernan and Josh Jones. This is the New Order!
Rob Auton (UK) - The Rob Auton Show
Fresh from a sold-out Edinburgh Fringe Festival season, award-winning writer, comedian and actor Rob Auton brings his most autobiographical show to date. Rob turns the spotlight inward, delving into the memories and feelings that shape his everyday existence. Rob is celebrated for his distinctive blend of stand-up comedy, storytelling and poetry, offering audiences a captivating experience that challenges traditional comedic boundaries. With his offbeat humor and masterful wordplay, Rob’s performances are an exploration of the human condition and the absurdities of everyday life.
Sarah Keyworth (UK) - My Eyes Are Up Here
Edinburgh Award-nominated comedian Sarah Keyworth returns a new show about family, acceptance, and a pair of big (well, not super big) losses. In 2023 Sarah turned thirty, got diagnosed with ADHD and had top surgery, but possibly the biggest thing to come out of the year was the revelation that maybe their mum was right all along.
Shenoah Allen (USA) - Bloodlust Summertime
Buckle up for an unapologetically raw and hilariously outrageous comedy experience with Shenoah Allen's electrifying new stand-up show. As one half of the acclaimed comedy duo Pajama Men, Shenoah has received five stars from The Times, The Guardian, Time Out, Evening Standard, Irish Independent and The Scotsman.
Urooj Ashfaq (India) - Oh No!
Fresh from the triumph of winning Best Newcomer at the Edinburgh Comedy Awards in 2023, one of India’s most exciting comics is coming to Melbourne. Hailing from Mumbai, Urooj Ashfaq not only has a degree in psychology but also personal experience of her own therapy journey. The show is about Urooj, her family, things that annoy her and things she loves.
Comedy Festival Favourites
Comedy Zone
Comedy Zone is celebrating its 24th year, and we're ready to unleash the next-gen of comedy superstars! Gear up for stacks of laughter from Australia’s rising stars of comedy. Introducing: Frankie Rowsthorn (WA), Henry Yan (VIC), Meg Jäger (QLD), Rapha Manajem (VIC) and William Wang (VIC).
RAW Comedy National Grand Final
Ali McGregor’s Late-Nite Variety-Nite Night at Melbourne International Comedy FestivalCredit: Melbourne International Comedy Festival
Who will emerge triumphant in the 2024 RAW Comedy National Grand Final? Hundreds of budding comedians from across the country have taken to RAW stages, with the best of the best descending on Melbourne for the national final. Join us to find out who will claim the coveted RAW Comedy Crown as this year’s RAW Comedy National Grand Final!
Ali McGregor’s Late-Nite Variety-Nite Night
Since 2006 Ali McGregor’s Late-Nite Variety-Nite Night has been enticing audiences at Melbourne International Comedy Festival and beyond. It has become a cult late-night show that draws the biggest comedy acts, the sexiest burlesque, heart-stopping cabaret and the most jaw-dropping circus acts from across the Festival. Hand-picked by Ali, this variety show is a carefully curated night of quality entertainment.
Comedy Club For Kids
Comedy Club for Kids brings cheeky holiday fun and LOLs to kids aged six to 12! Delivering bucket-loads of laughs, this one-of-a-kind variety showcase features a brilliant cast of everything from stand-up and sketch, to musical comedy and circus performers. There’s something for everyone and lots of chuckles to be had! Why should the grown-ups have all the fun?
Deadly Funny National Grand Final
Cheeky, loud, black and proud! This deadly competition unearths the freshest, fiercest and funniest Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander talent from across the country. Join us as we bring together an hilarious line-up of national finalists, joined by special guest performers, for one massive show.
Sean Choolburra’s Didj and Dance
Aboriginal comedy superstar Sean Choolburra returns to the Festival in a limited season with his exciting show for kids! Charismatic and vibrant, Sean weaves a blend of traditional dance, didgeridoo, storytelling and humour, never failing to captivate audiences while encouraging all to dance, sing, laugh and get involved!
Redeem this exclusive offer here.
*The 2-for-1 ticket offer is available to Age digital subscribers and print subscribers with 2+ days of home delivery. This offer applies to selected viewings of selected Melbourne International Comedy Festival shows and ends on April 21, 2024. Allocations per session are limited and subject to availability. Full list of eligible shows and performances found here. The offer must be redeemed online and cannot be redeemed for cash. Use code LAUGHS at checkout.