Comedy

Review

Get to know some of our favourite female comedians

Ahead of this year's Melbourne International Comedy Festival, we are celebrating the women who make us laugh uncontrollably while reflecting important messages about the world and its diversity.

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This International Women’s Day we’re celebrating some of the brilliant, intelligent, outrageous, and hilarious comedians coming to Melbourne stages for this year’s Melbourne International Comedy Festival.

Maria Bamford

Maria Bamford - Psych Ward - This Is Not Happening - Uncensored

Regarded by the New Yorker as a “cold blast of brilliance,” Maria Bamford’s unique comedic style offers audiences a glimpse into her complex relationships with family and friends. With two half-hour specials on Comedy Central Presents and a critically-acclaimed web series under her belt, Bamford has undoubtedly made a name for herself in the industry. Bringing her latest show, The Irrelevant Redundancy Down under, we are excited to see what she has in store for Australian fans. She’ll perform at The Forum, Melbourne from Tuesday 9 April until Saturday 13 April. Tickets available via Ticketmaster.com.au.

Kitty Flanagan

Kitty Flanagan #3 - 2017 Opening Night Comedy Allstars Supershow

With a career in comedy spanning over 20 years, Kitty Flanagan has confirmed her status as one of Australia’s leading comedians. Whether you recognise her from past appearances on The Project or more recently, her own segment on The Weekly with Charlie Pickering, Flanagan’s energy and enthusiasm will have you laughing about her relationships, everyday inconveniences, and everything in between. Flanagan will be gracing the stage at The Palms at Crown on select dates from Thursday 4 April until Saturday 20 April. Tickets are available via Ticketmaster.com.au.

Hannah Gadsby

Hannah Gadsby: Nanette | Official Trailer [HD] | Netflix

Perhaps one of Australia’s most influential female comics when it comes to the LGBTQIA+ community, Hannah Gadsby brings her latest show, Douglas, to the Arts Centre Melbourne for 11 shows throughout March and April. Following the success of her award-winning stand-up show, Nanette, Gatsby’s new show promises to deliver the same style of blunt humour fans have come to adore.  See Hannah Gadsby at Arts Centre Melbourne from Wednesday 27 March until Sunday 7 April. Tickets are available via Ticketmaster.com.au.

Urzila Carlson

Urzila Carlson - Melbourne International Comedy Festival Gala 2018

Born in South Africa, Urzila Carlson is internationally renowned for her live storytelling and brash sense of humour. Having welcomed a baby boy with her partner Julie in 2016, Carlson not only represents queer women, but all working women in Australia who face the everyday challenge of balancing personal and professional success. In addition to her appearance at the Melbourne International Comedy Festival, Carlson will also be touring Australia and performing at Wrest Point, Sydney Opera House and Crown Theatre Perth throughout May and June 2019. Tickets available via Ticketmaster.com.au.

Single Asian Female

Single Asian Female // Coming Soon

Providing a comical take on the dynamics of an Asian family who own and operate a Chinese restaurant on the Sunshine Coast, the cast of Single Asian Female showcase a hilarious portrayal of Asian women and their representation in Australian society. Cast members Hsiao-Ling Tang (Pearl), Jing Xuan Chan (Zoe) and Mei (Courtney Stewart) shine in this biting satire where race and gender are dissected in the context of modern Australia. Single Asian Female will be at Arts Centre Melbourne from Wednesday 3 April until Saturday 20 April and is sure to make waves upon its arrival. Tickets available via Ticketmaster.com.au.

Alice Snedden

2018 Billy T Jams - Alice Snedden

Kiwi comic Alice Snedden will bring her latest show Absolute Monster to Melbourne. Always topical, irreverent, and a little bit controversial, the show looks at Snedden’s perfectly normal childhood, happy life, general feeling of contentment and asks if she could actually become a murderer. Maybe it’s a thought you’ve been struggling with too? Find out more at The Forum, Melbourne from Thursday 28 March until Friday 19 April. Tickets available via Ticketmaster.com.au.

Nina Oyama

Nina Oyama | Tonightly With Tom Ballard

Nina Oyama is fast on the rise to becoming one of Australia’s top comedians. She was handpicked to be part of Melbourne International Comedy Festival’s Comedy Zone 2015, was an ABC Freshblood Comedy Finalist in 2017 and appeared on Just For Laughs at the Sydney Opera House in 2018. She plays Courtney in ABC’s Logie Award-winning show Utopia and is a former reporter on Tonightly with Tom Ballard. Her debut stand-up Needs A Lift is a wild autobiographical journey following Oyama’s (mis)adventures after moving from the city to the country. It’s going down at The Forum, Melbourne from Thursday 28 March until Friday 19 April. Tickets available via Ticketmaster.com.au.

The laughs keep coming as Melbourne International Comedy Festival rolls into town – head here for more