It’s that time of year again! No, not Moomba. The Grand Prix? I don’t think so. Nor the Food and Wine Festival, Fashion Festival, Flower and Garden Show, Motoring Festival or Melbourne Queer Film Festival… No, it’s the Melbourne International Coffee Ex– wait, what? We have one of those? Really?
Do they have tea?
Sorry, got distracted there. No, the particular item we mean from the over-stuffed calendar of the Festival State is of course the Melbourne International Comedy Festival! And many of the performers who appear in Night Terrace are featured in this year’s program.
Petra Elliott (Sue) is one of the stars of the improvised puppet show, The Mighty Little Puppet Show! You won’t want to miss her performing as one of the “Ritas”, colourful puppets on which the audience will build their own characters. It also features guest stars David Innes and Rob Lloyd. The Mighty Little Puppet Show runs at 7:30 PM, upstairs @ Little Sista (next to the Town Hall). It’s a rotating ensemble show, so if you want to see Petra you can catch her on March 25, 27, 29 and 31, and April 1.
Ben McKenzie (Eddie Jones) has had a hand in Claire Hooper’s show this year, through his games company Pop Up Playground; together they present Being Claire Hooper, a whimsical, Claire Hooper-themed treasure hunt through the city. You might even see a familiar face or two… Being Claire Hooper begins at 6 PM each Saturday and Sunday at the statue of Burke and Wills at City Square (opposite the Town Hall). Tickets are very limited so be sure to book!
Amanda Buckley, woman of many voices and one of our company players, features in the completely improvised musical Impromptunes. Every night the ensemble cast will create an entire stage musical based on your suggestions. It’s on at 7 PM at Trades Hall in the Old Council Chambers for ten shows only, March 24 to April 3. Like Petra’s show, it’s a rotating ensemble, so to catch Amanda book tickets for March 24, 30 or 31, or April 3!
You can also find many of our guest stars in the festival! Go see them, do. Check the linked listings for more details.
- Aamer Rahman (season one) – featured in Political Asylum’s Late Night Riot. Melbourne Town Hall, one show only – 11 PM, April 2.
- Adam Richard (season one) – Splitsecondism. Imperial Hotel, 8 PM, April 5-17.
- Andrew McClelland (season one and two) – We Really Must Do This Again Sometime. Forum Theatre, 8:30 PM, March 24 – April 17.
- Brianna Williams (Eddie miniseries, season two) – Little Mountain Goblin. Belleville, 8:30 PM, March 23 – April 2.
- Celia Pacquola (season two) – The Looking Glass. Comedy Theatre, 7 PM, four shows only – March 30 and April 1, 2 and 4. Celia also hosts this year’s Gala, airing on Channel 10 at 8:30 PM on Monday, March 21.
- Dave Callan (season two) – A Little Less Conversation 3: Even More Less Conversation. Trades Hall, 9:45 PM, March 24 – April 17.
- Lawrence Leung (season two) – Very Strange Things. Coopers Malthouse, 9:15 PM, March 25 – April 17.
- Lisa-Skye (Eddie miniseries) – Spiders Wearing Party Hats (March 24 – April 5) and Gentlemen’s Agreement with Nick Caddaye (April 7-17). Both at The Tuxedo Cat, 9:45.
- Steven Gates (upcoming live episode) – Tripod’s 101 Hits. Famous Spiegeltent at the Arts Centre, 8:30 PM, March 24 – April 17.
- Tegan Higginbotham (upcoming live episode) – The City of Love. Greek Centre, 7:15 PM, March 24 – April 3. Also Watson’s The Life Education Van for Adults! Melbourne Town Hall, 10:45 PM, March 24 – April 16.
Fondly remembered for his long stint as “the beardy one with the beautiful accent” on Australian variety shows Rove and Rove Live, Callan is best known as a Triple J DJ – he presents “The Graveyard Shift” from 1 AM on Sundays – and one of Melbourne’s favourite comedians. He’s often on the telly with appearances on Spicks and Specks, the Comedy Festival Gala and Good News Week, as well as being a regular game reviewer on ABC2’s Good Game. He’s performed live comedy at the Edinburgh Fringe and toured Britain, South East Asia, the U.S. and even Hobart.