The Melbourne International comedy festival hits town next month

With a massive program of 600+ shows across more than 140 performance spaces, the Melbourne International Comedy Festival is preparing to take over the world Melbourne, kicking off on 29 March and running to 23 April 2023.

The 2023 Festival showcases a world of comedy – bringing together a plethora of international performers and all of your Australian comedy favourites.

A huge line-up of locals, big names and Festival first-timers include Anne Edmonds, Cal Wilson, Claire Hooper, Circus Oz, Daniel Connell, David Quirk, Dilruk Jayasinha, Gabbi Bolt, Georgie Carroll (Aus/UK), Geraldine Hickey, Kitty Flanagan, Ivan Aristeguieta (Aus/Ven),Lano & Woodley, Luke Heggie, Lizzy Hoo,Mel Buttle, Michael Hing, Michelle Brasier, Nikki Britton, Rhys Nicholson, Reuben Kaye, Sam Campbell, Tommy Little, Tripod, Urvi Majumdar, Wil Anderson and more!

International performers set to take our stages include past Melbourne International Comedy Festival People’s Choice Award winners Urzila Carlson (Sth Africa/NZ) and Daniel Sloss (SCO); joining Daniel Kitson (UK), Stephen K Amos (UK), Arj Barker(USA), Melanie Bracewell (NZ), Ed Byrne (UK), Larry Dean (SCO), Carl Donnelly(UK), Paul Foot (UK), Ari Eldjárn (Iceland), Rosie Jones (UK), Tim Key (UK), Lloyd Langford (UK), Josie Long (UK), Guy Montgomery (NZ), Dylan Moran(Ireland),David O’Doherty (Ireland), Danny Bhoy (SCO), Sara Schaefer (US), DeAnne Smith (CAN/US), Takashi Wakasugi (JPN), Jason Leong (Malaysia), Daniel Fernandez (India), Maisie Adams (UK) and Mark Watson (UK).

We’re thrilled to welcome some of the most exciting breakthrough names on the international circuit today, including Edinburgh Fringe Best Comedy nominee Jordan Gray (UK), Edinburgh Fringe Best Newcomer nominee Leo Reich (UK); and the 2022 Edinburgh Fringe Best Newcomer winner, and recipient of the 2021 Funny Women Award, Lara Ricote (Mexico).

Our favourite all-star line-up shows are back, including Best of Comedy Zone Asia featuring Malaysia’s Douglas Lim with comedy friends from India and Indonesia. Aboriginal Comedy Allstars will feature a deadly line up of First Nations comedians, hosted by Kevin Kropinyeri. New Order presents the UK’s hottest breakthrough artists and Comedy Zone introduces a hand-picked line up of the best new Australian talent.

The Festival development programs continue to run throughout the year, nurturing a new batch of diverse, up and coming comedy voices. This year’s RAW Comedy, Deadly Funny and Class Clowns heats are currently taking place around Australia, with the hottest new talents and crowd-favourites performing at the National Grand Finals throughout the Festival.

Neighbourhood Sessions returns for four massive weekends, presenting the ‘crème de la crème’ of comedy performers on Melbourne’s local stages. Some of the biggest names in comedy will make an appearance alongside the country’s best new talent at venues in Broadmeadows, Dandenong, Footscray, Moorabbin, Narre Warren, Rosebud, Thornbury and Williamstown.

Much-loved annual events The 33rd Annual Great Debate, Upfront and Moosehead Benefit are back, and the Festival Club at Max Watt’s will continue to keep the laughs rolling late into the night – delivering a whole lot of bang for your buck with an ever-changing line up of the Festival’s finest.

Themed nights include: 10 Comedians for $10, Comedy Bonanza, Improv Throwdown, Josh Earl live podcasts, Backyard Stories, Haus Party, a character comedy night, a Light The Way Home fundraiser night – with Hairbrush Comedy, and Caboriginal – just to name a few! Ali McGregor’s Late-Nite Variety Nite Night will be back at The Famous Spiegeltent in all its comedy and cabaret glory. And cheat sheet to the future of comedy, Comedy Up Late will return to Max Watt’s for three shows over two big Mondays.

The Festivals’ treasured ‘free’ family program returns with The (Very) Big Laugh Out at Fed Square and Melbourne Museum. Ticketed events for families and kids includeSean Choolburra’s Didj and Dance, Comedy Club for Kids and over 20 more shows, keeping the kids entertained for all of the school holidays and every weekend of the Festival.

So, what are you waiting for? Rally up your funniest friends and get booking.

---

Season Details

Venue: Melbourne International Comedy Festival
Date: 29 March- 23 April 2023

For more information click HERE