Theatre
My Top 10: Melbourne International Comedy Festival
Of course it is brilliant to have many thousands of events to choose from as part of the Melbourne International Comedy Festival, but sometimes the sheer number of performers can be daunting.
Who should I see? Which acts are the funniest? Can I see everyone I want to see in a month? We’ve all been there. So to help you narrow down your selections, we at Ticketmaster Blog have been compiling lists of our 10 favourite comedians.
Below are my top 10 selections for this year’s Comedy Festival. There’s a wide range of acts and performers with local and international comedians, stand-up, kids shows, improv and musical comedy. Have a look at my selections to see if any look like the sort of show that may tickle your funny bone!
We hope you all have a blast during this year’s Melbourne International Comedy Festival. Some of the shows are already selling extremely well so click here to check out the many amazing live comedy acts you can see from March 24 until April 17.
Impromptunes – The Completely Improvised Musical
Impromptunes – The Completely Improvised Musical is one of my must-see shows during each and every Comedy Festival. The talented performers dazzle with their ability to think on their feet and perform an hour-long improvised musical with nothing more than a title shouted out by an audience member. The performers are all insanely talented – think a combination of an actor, singer and comedian and you have an Impromptunes cast members. And the best thing is, you can go to see Impromptunes over and over because they never perform the same show twice! This is one event that will not disappoint… get your tickets immediately.
Trades Hall – Old Council Chambers
March 24-April 3, $20-$25
Click here to purchase tickets now.
Mel Buttle – Up To Pussy’s Bow
A couple years ago, I was standing around with friends trying to decide who to see when a guy nearby recommended Mel Buttle. I wish I could find him and thank him because it was one of the funniest Comedy Festival shows I have ever seen. At the time, I’d never heard of Mel Buttle but now she pops up on every other TV show including The Project, This Week Live, The Drum and The Great Australian Bake Off. Mel is back at the Melbourne International Comedy Festival with a new show called Up To Pussy’s Bow. I am sure it will be a cracking performance so get on board now.
Melbourne Town Hall
March 24-April 17, $22-$29
Click here to purchase tickets now.
Adam Rozenbachs – Life Hack
Adam Rozenbachs is a slick stand-up comedian – that is on top of his other work as a writer, broadcaster, actor and voice over artist. Over the years he has become one of Australia’s most prolific comedians and I was lucky enough to be his ‘victim’ at one of his live shows. Obvious embarrassment aside, he was extremely funny and not too brutal! Adam is brilliantly funny and his latest show, Life Hack will be performed at the Melbourne international Comedt Festival from April 24.
ACMI
March 24-April 17, $18-$27
Click here to purchase tickets now.
Harley Breen
I saw Harley Breen when he opened for the incredibly funny international comedian, Russell Howard. Of course, the crowd was there for Russell but Breen’s opening act was brilliant enough that I wrote his name down to ensure I would see him the next time MICF rolled into town. So funny is Harley Breen, in fact, he has two shows at the Comedy Festival; a solo show called Smell the Penguins and a double act with Heath Franklin called Captain Funpants and the FunOmatic Fun Wand.
Smell the Penguins
Melbourne Town Hall – Old Met Shop
March 24-April 17, $20-$32
Click here to purchase tickets now.
Captain Funpants and the FunOmatic Fun Wand
The Famous Spiegeltent at Arts Centre Melbourne
March 26-April 3, $12-$16
Click here to purchase tickets now.
Gillian Cosgriff – To the Moon and Back
Gillian Cosgriff is much more than a fantastic comedian; she is also a very talented singer and musician. Her shows combine all her talents and you are left with a really fun and clever performance that is both hilarious and musical. Check her out as soon as you can!
The Butterfly Club
March 22-April 3, $25-$32
Tickets are available on the door.
Jimeoin – For One Night Only
Jimeoin really needs no introduction in Australia. The Irish-born comedian has been touring the country for decades and has become one of our favourite ‘adopted Aussies’. Jimeoin will do three amazing shows at The Palms at Crown Melbourne so get your tickets quickly before they sell out!
The Palms at Crown Melbourne
April 15-17, $49.90
Click here to purchase tickets now.
Mark Butler – Brain of Woman, Brain of Man
Quite a few years ago, I saw Mark Butler perform one of my favourite ever comedy shows. The show, titled Grammar Don’t Matter on a First Date, was right up my alley so it was not surprising that I lapped up his quick wit and delighted in a comedy show that poked fun of people for misplaced apostrophes and the incorrect use of ‘literally’. Now he is back with Brain of a Woman, Brain of a Man and I am just as excited to see what this clever comedian has to say about the difference between the sexes.
The Downstairs Lounge @ The Grand Mercure Hotel
March 24-April 17, $15-$25
Tickets are available on the door.
Ongals – Babbling Comedy
The Ongals were the somewhat surprising breakout hit of the 2014 Melbourne International Comedy Festival. The performers are masters of physical comedy and this show is absolutely perfect for children. On top of the comedy, which the Korean group delivers in spades, the Ongals also impress with their clowning, juggling and beatboxing skills. This is a great one for the whole family.
The Famous Spiegeltent at Arts Centre Melbourne
April 5-17, $25-$35
Click here to purchase tickets now.
Celia Pacquola – The Looking Glass
Celia Pacquola continues to go from strength-to-strength. The comedian and actress has won many awards for her stand-up and has performed all over the world including at the prestigious Montreal, Melbourne and Edinburgh comedy festivals. Pacquola has also starred in popular TV series Offspring, Laid and Utopia. She is extremely funny and her shows are always a safe bet. Check out her show, The Looking Glass, at the Comics Lounge – you won’t regret it!
Comedy Theatre
March 30-April 4, $34-$39
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Tom Gleeson – Great
Tom Gleeson is one of those comedians you can buy a ticket to and then relax, because you know the show is going to be funny. You’ve probably seen him on TV or on the various comedy shows and galas that accompany the Comedy Festival each year and one thing is for sure, once you see him live, you will be a lifetime fan. He is sharp and smart and his comedy is topical. Get in to see Tom Gleeson ASAP – you won’t be disappointed.
The Comedy Theatre
April 7-16, $34-$49
Click here to purchase tickets now.
The Melbourne International Comedy Festival runs from March 25 until April 19 at various venues all over Melbourne and Victoria. Click here to buy tickets and browse events as part of the Melbourne International Comedy Festival.
