Culture
Comedy
★★★★½
MICF
‘Disillusioned feminist’ wins next-gen comedy crown
The RAW Comedy national grand final set a high bar for laughs, and Victorian Prue Blake took the honours. Plus many, many more Comedy Festival reviews.
- by Age reviewers
Latest
Opinion
MICF
To laugh is human, in a full room, divine
The creator of canned laughter knew that humans laugh easier when others are laughing with them.
- by John Bailey
★★★½
MICF
Amanda Muggleton owns the stage in a crude, touching tribute to a diva
A biographical play about Coral Browne, the girl from West Footscray who shone on the London stage, is masterfully acted and moving. Plus more Comedy Festival reviews.
- by Age reviewers
★★★★
MICF
Arj Barker freewheels through his set, thanks to alien tech support
Arj Barker is so easygoing and breezy he can engage in thorny topics that others wouldn’t touch. Plus: many more Comedy Festival reviews.
Tom Ballard on writing a book, moving west and finding a satirical sweet spot
The comedian and former Tonightly frontman has moved from Melbourne’s north to Footscray (with a boyfriend he insists is real). He’s angry about a lot, but promises “heaps of jokes” in his latest show.
- by Kylie Northover
★★★★½
MICF
Shafar gives 110 per cent, while Ballard roasts the Liberals
It’s the act the ABC banned from TV. We know it’s hot stuff. But is Tom Ballard’s new stand-up show really funny? Read his Comedy Festival review and many more.
- by Age reviewers
★★★★
MICF
Dilruk Jayasinha proves the consummate comedy pro
Dilruk Jayasinha and Sam Taunton are two four-star comedians with deft timing and a little “blue” material.
- by Age reviewers
★★★★
MICF
Shambolic, loose and hilarious: the Comedy Festival’s Great Debate
This year’s madcap Melbourne International Comedy Festival Great Debate asked: should we cancel cancel culture?
- by Tyson Wray
How cultural comedy is making us laugh louder
Writers and comedians are turning to lived experiences of serious issues such as discrimination to make their work richer, and audiences love it.
- by Vyshnavee Wijekumar
‘The funniest guy in the room’: more Comedy Festival reviews
Nath Valvo is usually the happiest guy in the room. After 2020, he’s certainly still the most hilarious. Read his four-star review, and many more.
- by Age reviewers
Explainer
Comedy
What makes a good joke?
No one is born hilarious. How do comedians learn their trade? And where’s the line between funny and … not?
- by Michael Lallo