What’s on in Melbourne Victoria – 25th Melbourne International Comedy Festival

What’s on in Melbourne Victoria – 25th Melbourne International Comedy Festival Warning: material may cause urine to appear in your pants

What’s on in Melbourne Victoria – 25th Melbourne International Comedy Festival The Melbourne International Comedy Festival is one of the three largest comedy festivals in the world! For three and a half weeks, the festival literally takes over Melbourne. Good thing Melbourne has a very big guest room- the Melbourne Town Hall precinct- which is completely transformed into a massive comedy hub.

The average ticket price is only $22, so budgeting should be simple- just stop eating kabobs after 2 am.

I have outlined some of the acts you won’t want to miss. But if you want to see the complete 2011 Comedy Festival program, just hop online, OR for a festival guide in your pocket, download the shiny new iPhone App… fancy.

The Best of British

Attention Brits: can’t find good humor in the country? Well, I am pleased to inform you that now, you can!

The Exford Hotel presents the return of last year’s smash hit Best of British, a showcase of top British stand-up comedians as seen at Jongleurs, The Comedy Store, Paramount Comedy Channel and Comedy Central.

A revolving line-up guarantees at least three top-class international acts every night and is hosted by the UK’s Dan Willis “A master of his craft” Fringe Report (Edinburgh).

Dates: 30 March – 23 April
Times: Mon-Sat 9.30 pm
Sun 8.30 pm
Sat & Sun 3.30pm
Venue: Exford Hotel

Doc Brown, Unfamous (UK)

There is more good news- Heaps of other British Comedians will be performing solo stand-up acts at the festival as well.

Doc Brown, for one, is visiting Australia for the first time with his sell-out 2010 Edinburgh Fringe show, Unfamous.

In an age of instant celebrity, how far would you go to be remembered? Experience a lifetime of extremes as Doc recalls life in the rap business, with some obligatory name-dropping, and tales of excess.

A couple of years ago, Doc turned his back on the chin-out, bravado and balls world of hip hop, for something more honest. Unfamous is not simply a series of spoof raps – it is a hilarious and humbling salute to nearly making it.

Times: Tue – Sat: 9:45pm
Sun: 8:45pm
Dates: 30 March – 23 April
Venue: Melb Town Hall – Powder Room

Josh Thomas, Everything Ever

At 17, Josh Thomas was the youngest ever winner of the Melbourne International Comedy Festival’s RAW Comedy Competition in 2005. He also made the finals of So You Think You’re Funny. Josh thought he was on top of the world- too bad his next gig was in a creepy, you-might-actually-die-when-they-shoot-you Tavern in front of a very small audience- a man crying into his beer.

But, Josh has bounced back from that terrorizing experience, and is coming to Melbourne to perform his show Everything Ever, where he will attempt to talk about everything that has ever happened.

Whoa, that’s a lot.

Venue: The Arts Centre Playhouse
Times: Tues-Sun 7 pm 1-17 April

Upfront

The ladies of comedy are having their sweet 16! No, they are not literally Bieber fans. Upfront is a night full of female comedians, and this is its 16th anniversary! That’s right friends, get cranked for the best local and international female comedians ever assembled under the one roof. These ladies are ready to get lippy and aren’t afraid to be un-ladylike for the birthday celebration of Upfront.

Time: 7 pm
Venue: Melb Town Hall- Main Hall

The Roadshow

Ok, so you don’t live in Melbourne and you can’t borrow your uncle’s 12 passenger van that you nicknamed Lucky in high school to get there. Turns out, you are still lucky without the van because the comedians are coming to you! After being cooped up in Melbourne’s guestroom for almost a month, the Festival’s most adventurous comedians are checking out and hitting the road!

The Roadshow will take place across the country between April and June. Visit the website for Roadshow 2011 dates.