Music
Your complete guide to the ‘MICF Dash’
I’m quite new to the Comedy Festival and decided to do what only the brave could; a ‘no guts, no glory’ road. I saw multiple Melbourne International Comedy Festival events on the same night.
It’s definitely something to try during MICF, especially on quieter nights or Tightarse Tuesdays when prices are lower. This is not recommended for the faint of heart (or if you like to take your time with dinner).
I went to three different events on a Wednesday night:
- 6pm – Stunt Lounge at Fairfax Studio, Arts Centre Melbourne (now finished)
- 15pm – The Comedy Zone at Old Council Chambers, Trades Hall,
- 45pm – Joel Dommett at the Cloak Room (Melbourne Town Hall)
If you are planning a similar night, especially with not long left for MICF, plan ahead. I prefer walking myself, and this was my route over a three to four hour period:
There are also trams and trains running in Melbourne at this time – plan wisely!
Stunt Lounge
The Stunt Lounge jumped out while perusing the MICF catalogue with phrases such as “seemingly impossible” and “heart stopping”. Having seen the show, there’s hardly room to disagree.
It’s a surprising and pleasing show in the choices of the Melbourne International Comedy Festival (23rd March-17th April).
Stunt Lounge featured alumni from the acclaimed Flying Fruit Fly Circus, and they showcase their experience in the appropriately named ‘Lounge’.
The Lounge set is striking when first entering. Dimly lit, the set invites its audience with its lit lampshades, strewed blankets, rug and of course couch. It felt so cosy and comfortable, the set almost felt like an actual living room, late at night watching television – aside from the addition of hula hoops.
The team made fantastic use of props (metronomes, bouncy balls, seesaw) along with acrobatic feats. The team worked seamlessly and continuously together, assisting each other with stunts that made the audience gasp and applaud.
The Stunts team work rhythmically, methodically, and playfully. It really felt like a lower key circus in your living room. It provoked childhood memories; tearing around my own living room, attempting my own amateur stunts and just having fun.
The Comedy Zone
The Comedy Zone is fantastic in its own right. This show picks different comedians from each state in an impressive line-up from the Comedy Festival. Are there too many cooks? Not at all! All kinds of topics were covered in its five participants; from awkward Tinder dates to current politics to receiving strange compliments. This show is perfect if you prefer varying comedy in just the one show, and also shines a spotlight on local up-and-comers (previous participants being Ronny Chieng and Celia Pacquola to name a couple).
The Trades Hall as a MICF venue also gets a thumbs up – there is a colourful bar/box office/info desk foyer to relax in, and plenty of shows to choose from if it’s a last minute decision to attend.
The Comedy Zone is at the Trades Hall until April 17 – Click here to purchase tickets now.
Joel Dommett
It’s a widely known fact that recounting stories from everyday life can be funny – it’s become the base of great comedy. Even I get a laugh about what happened on the train the other day.
Joel was the highlight of my evening – as my colleague Lauren has reviewed him I will only touch briefly on Joel. His set was side-splitting from the beginning; with his special entrance inspired from having seen players burst through banners at an AFL match. He was quite frank as he shared quite a few anecdotes with us. He is very charismatic and energetic as he moves across stage.
As Lauren also mentioned, an audience member was picked to be in charge of a stage prop – and the spontaneity paid off spectacularly in my particular session.
I’m proud to say he definitely ‘conquered’ us and the hour just flew by!
Joel is at the Melbourne Town Hall until April 17 – Click here to purchase tickets now.
In summary
This MICF dash really showed me the variety the festival really has to offer; a true smorgasbord of comedy to choose from. The Comedy Festival ends after this week – so you may have to plan a dash of your own before it rolls out of town! My best advice is to wear comfortable shoes, bring or buy something to eat on the go, and keep moving.
Best of luck – and keep laughing!
