Melbourne International Comedy Festival 2016

Melbourne International Comedy Festival, known for increasing happiness levels since 1987, is celebrating its 30th birthday in 2016.

The festival has become Australia’s national comedy festival and one of the biggest in the world, hosting thousands of local and international performers.

They have announced their first acts to be entertaining crowds from 23rd March – 17th April, including international artists Hal Cruttenden, Larry Dean, Adam Hess, Sofie Hagen, Lou Sanders,
 Mae Martin, and Penny Arcade. 
Also on the list are recent visitors Joel Dommett, Nish Kumar, Sara Pascoe, Alex Edelman, Luisa Omielan and Urzila Carlson, while much-loved favourites to be joining the party are Rich Hall, David O’Doherty and Arj Barker. Last but not least, there’s an abundance of British talent taking part, including award winner, Sarah Millican, Paul Foot – known for his aversion to pop culture – and Ross Noble, who has become a star on British TV and stages.

Local Australian artists are heading to Melbourne to get in on the joke too. Celia Pacquola, Anthony Morgan, Hannah Gadsby, Judith Lucy, Tommy Little, Frank Woodley, and many more.

Popular national initiatives also return including RAW Comedy (Australia’s largest and most popular open mic competition), Class Clowns (workshops and comedy competition for teens), Deadly Funny (supporting Indigenous comedy), Upfront Gala (the glamour girls of comedy), Oxfam Gala (sold out), Opening Night Comedy Allstars Supershow and The Comedy Zone.

What: Melbourne International Comedy Festival
When: 23 March – 17 April 2016
Where: Throughout Melbourne

For more information and tickets, go to comedyfestival.com.au

By Ellie Berckmans

@JustEllie