Melbourne Comedy Festival makes the city buzz

The Australian public could be forgiven for thinking the 2012 comedy festival has already taken place in the corridors of Parliament this week, however, the official Melbourne Comedy Festival is still a few weeks away.

The 2012 Melbourne International Comedy Festival program was launched by Melbourne’s Lord Mayor Robert Doyle (with much less hoo-haa than his colleagues in Canberra, and a whole lot more spunk) at the Spiegeltent, Arts Centre Melbourne. This year marks the 26 anniversary of the Festival, which was originally launched by the late, great Peter Cook in 1987, featuring 50 shows in 33 venues.

This year, with over 400 events in 129 different veneus, it is expected that more than 500,000 festival fans will descend on Melbourne city and its surrounds to see over 5000 performances!

Premier Ted Baillieu sent a postcard from India to the Festival saying,

“Like all of us involved with the Melbourne International Comedy Festival, over here they understand the benefits of having a good laugh – for mind, body and soul. If we have any time left at the end of our Trade Mission, I’ll insist that the entire Victorian delegation joins me for a session, so that we’re limbered up and ready for the Festival’s opening night on 28 March!”

Local comedians will be bringing their latest material to the stage, while international artists will be presenting work that has been reaping acclaim in clubs, festivals and theatres across the globe.

“As ever too, audiences will discover loads of new and exciting entertainers completely fresh to the scene. We can’t wait for the city to be buzzing with that Festival Energy”, said MICF Director Susan Provan.

With artists like Rod Quantock, Frank Woodley, Jimeon and Wanda Sykes, the 2012 Melbourne International Comedy festival is sure to be a barrel of laughs!

AussieTheatre are pleased to be working with the MICF this year, with more than 10 Double Pass Giveaways running for Festival shows.

Check out our first two giveaways:

Dixie’s Tupperware Party – Giveaway

Alex Horne: Seven Years in the Bathroom – Giveaway