Cal Wilson, a fiery haired kiwi comedian is back for the 2019 Melbourne International Comedy Festival for her show Gifted Underachiever. She has become a voice for the forty something year olds of the world, particularly since filming her recent Netflix special. The venue, although pokey, is packed with her exact demographic. I am seated in front of a particularly appreciative man who guffaws loudly … Continue reading Cal Wilson: Just doing her Job
With an audience of only seven people, you’d think young comedian Taco might be crumbling a little. Think again. I’m watching a self-assured, charismatic young woman use her life experiences as witty comedic material. After an interesting half-undressing start to the show (‘my friends said I had to do some undressing’), Taco and her double bass (named Terry) launch into a stream of musical comedy. … Continue reading Taco Knight: A Musical Comedy that Knows it’s Audience
At 9:30pm on a Tuesday night you’d forgive a city for being a little sleepy, but there is a buzz in Melbourne as I walk down Swanston St, it must be Comedy Festival time. I’m in town to see Anne Edmonds perform What’s Wrong With You? The show begins with Edmonds introducing herself and we’re already away, launching into an hour of high-intensity laughs. Edmonds … Continue reading Anne Edmonds: There’s nothing wrong with Anne Edmonds
Stuck in a small and charismatically slow elevator, I am reminded that pokey venues and small crowds are at the heart of the Melbourne International Comedy Festival experience. A stranger who has decided to practice his own material on this unassuming audience in the cramped elevator, reveals that not only was Tom Gleeson better before he ‘sold out’, but that he had discovered him on … Continue reading Space Force: Rocketing upwards
Remarking that a comedian is ‘likeable’ might sound like a backhanded compliment. In actuality, I think it is something many comedians find difficult to achieve – even when they’re funny, they’re so often plagued by a sense of arrogance, of finding themselves funnier than anyone in the audience, or just being plain annoying. So do not misunderstand me when I say that one of the … Continue reading Nath Valvo: Face-Achingly Funny
Glittering jumpsuits, sequinned jackets and one particularly notable beaded skort are what catch my eye as I walk into the Beckett Theatre of the Malthouse. The costumes give me an insight into the kind of performance that is to come; a playful, energetic and interactive night of feminist cabaret. Of course, my friend and I sit in the front row, for what’s the point of … Continue reading Fringe Wives Club: A Cabaret for Cow People
“For those of you who haven’t seen me before, rest assured, I am very good at comedy.” It’s a bold opening to a stand-up set, but for DeAnne Smith, not an untrue one. Epiphany is Smith’s most recent show after the success of her acclaimed Netflix special Gentleman Elf (devastatingly unavailable in Australia). The Canadian-American is no stranger to the Melbourne International Comedy Festival either; … Continue reading DeAnne Smith: is Not a Nice Lady (F That!)
In 2019, we have seen more and more comedians beginning to use their platforms for more than just jokes. Stand up as a catalyst for social change, as a way of bringing public attention to an issue, as a device to subvert and surprise. In his Melbourne International Comedy Festival show Philly Philly Wang Wang, Phil Wang reminds us that these comedians are just people. … Continue reading Phil Wang: What you say is meaningless if what you do is monstrous
After a successful run in the UK, Felicity Ward brings her hour-long set Busting a Nut to the 2019 Melbourne International Comedy Festival. Across the hour, Ward delivers joke after joke, exploring topics as varied as her recent marriage, her in-laws, hot yoga, karaoke, and inspirational Instagram quotes. Ward broaches these topics in her typical, high-energy style, with her bold wardrobe (complete with leopard-print leggings) accentuating her bold … Continue reading Felicity Ward: A solid set
The Dialog 