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I have the jokes, you choose the order. Pick from old, new and other stuff to make a new show each night. I’ve told jokes all over Australia, headlined shows in London, Edinburgh, Singapore and an office Halloween party where everyone but me was in costume. Come see the jokes in a better place than that.

‘Undoubtedly one to watch.’ Herald Sun



16+
Suitable for audiences 16+ Less

2020 Stand Up! Grant Recipient Aurelia St Clair is a German-Cameroonian Melbournian comedian, podcaster and meme creator. Aurelia is biracial, bisexual and bilingual, but above all she is woke af. Her deadpan delivery and dark sense of humour will snatch your wig, lay your edges and make you laugh.

“Proficient master of deadpan comedy” ★★★★ The Music

“Woke in the most irreverent way imaginable” -The Age

“Quietly sassy yet gorgeously confident” – Weekend Notes

16+
Suitable for audiences 16+
This show contains: Political, religious or racial themes. Less

DATING BADLY PRESENTS
Kelly Fastuca Over Easy
Kelly Fastuca is a good egg – and thank god for that, because she needs to produce a few. But don’t feel bad for her – needles are fun!

Over Easy is a fun and fast-paced show about dating disappointments, egg harvesting and fried chicken from one of Melbourne’s brightest and bubbliest comedians.

Over Easy is the latest hour from Kelly Fastuca, a comic and podcaster who returned to Australia in 2016 after six years of working the circuit in New York City, where she played rooms such as The Comedy Cellar, Fat Black Pussy Cat, The Stand, Stand Up New York and Carolines. She’s a regular on the Melbourne scene and has guested on live shows such as Frocking Hilarious at the Athaneum and Geraldine Hickey’s That’s My Show, and is the host of the outrageous, cult hit podcast ‘Dating Badly’ (formerly ‘Worst First Dates’).

She’s also worked on TV shows such as Rosehaven (ABC), Nathiona Wrap (ABC), The Logies (Channel 9) and Out Of The Question (Channel 7), guested on podcasts including ‘Don’t You Know Who I Am?’, ‘I Love Green Guide Letters’, and ‘Keith and the Girl’ (USA), and appeared on triple j’s Matt and Alex, subsequently selling out her entire Adelaide 2016 season.

In Over Easy Kelly applies her relatable, high-energy comic style to the confusing world of egg harvesting, sharing her journey from being disappointed and single to being disappointed and single with a vial of her own eggs in the freezer, and the scars to show for it.

After the show’s debut at Melbourne Fringe and tour of Perth, Kelly is excited to be bringing Over Easy to Melbourne International Comedy Festival.

‘Fastuca is witty, light-hearted and an absolute delight to watch on stage.’ The Music

‘One to watch and be surprised by.’ Herald Sun

‘Fastuca had the audience laughing non-stop with her quick wit… is a genuine comedic talent.’ Squirrel Comedy

‘One with a career and a successful comedy show on her hands to boot.’ Pop Culture-y

‘One to watch and be surprised by.’ Herald Sun

‘Fastuca had the audience laughing non-stop with her quick wit… is a genuine comedic talent.’ Squirrel Comedy

‘Fastuca is witty, light-hearted and an absolute delight to watch on stage.’ The Music

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Strictly for audiences 16+ Less

BEN SORENSEN
Sam Serna Bunny Rabbit
Sam is a Venezuelan migrant who’s been in Australia for the last ten years. She’s a frustrated engineer who finally decided to pursue her passion for performing and comedy. She’s been a regular at Melbourne open mics since mid 2019, which gave her the opportunity to present her work at 2020’s Adelaide Fringe as part of an ensemble showcase. She had her festival debut last year in Melbourne Fringe 2020, together with Sunanda Sachatrakul, in Yes, We Tan!, which was Broadsheet’s top festival pick for a comedy show.

Her unique background informs her material with unexpected points of view that will make you burst out into laughter, only to sneak back into your mind three days later to make you realise: “I would have never thought about it that way”.

In Bunny Rabbit, her solo debut, Sam explores the intricancies of dating for the first time in her mid-30s after a lifetime of celibacy… ehm, 13 years of marriage that is.

Sex, anatomy, bodily fluids, pop culture references and even some politics will come along for a full hour of spicy and thought provoking stand-up.

‘Sam Serna is bursting onto the Melbourne comedy scene with clever insights and an irreverent way of looking at the world. Seriously funny! Don’t miss her show.’ KC Martin-Stone, archaelogist and comedienne extraordinaire

Please note, the following performances will be filmed: Thu 25 Mar, Fri 26 Mar, Fri 16 Apr, Sat 17 Apr & Sun 18 Apr.
18+
Suitable for audiences 18+
This show contains: Strong sexual references, Political, religious or racial themes. Less

NEXTFAYZE COMEDY AND BEN SORENSEN
Cy Fahey Thinking Man’s Bogan
Could God create a JD so warm he couldn’t drink it?

Described as an ‘engaging presence’ (Chortle, UK), three-time Deadly Funny National Finalist Cy Fahey has a weirdness and confronting sense of identity to his humour. But what else would you expect from a Malaysia-born Aboriginal that looks Greek? Performing comedy since 2008, every year he has written at least five minutes of actually good jokes and he has decided to bring together his greatest hits, despite never having a first album.

As a veteran comic (that you’ve never heard of) in his debut solo hour, Cy’s Thinking Man’s Bogan puts his unique tongue-in-cheek spin on getting older, online dating and punching above your weight. No dark stories or personal journeys. Just a mic, punchlines and your laughter!

Thinking Man’s Bogan is for 16+, contains references to sex and drugs, but is ultimately a loving tongue in cheek reflection of a man trying to make sense of it all.

Cy Fahey’s Thinking Man’s Bogan is a non-stop adventure which delves into the philosophical side of what it means to be… well… him. Bogan by nurture but Grammar Nazi by nature, Cy will make you question whether the stereotypes really define us?

Cy hilariously weaves through some of the most perplexing questions of his life; ranging from the importance of spoons in a relationship, to screening Tinder dates… and whatever happened to the guy in the Solo commercials? If you’ve ever wondered what a bogan is or isn’t, if you’ve ever met one or just want to see one wax lyrical about the modern world, this is the show for you!

Three-time Deadly Funny National Finalist and winner of the VIPA Award for Best Emerging Talent (2009), Cy Fahey’s first appearance at Melbourne International Comedy Festival was as a writer and performer for Ilbijerri Theatre’s A Black Sheep (2009), which returned the following year. 2009 was also the year that saw him land the lead role in the theatre production Chopped Liver.

Cy has spent the last number of years honing his craft as a staple of the Canberra Comedy scene and is excited to finally be bringing his debut solo hour to Melbourne!

Tickets will sell fast, so please book ASAP!

16+
Suitable for audiences 16+
This show contains: Strong sexual references, Drug references, Strong coarse language. Less

BEN SORENSEN
Simon Palomares The Dash
Between the year of birth and the year of death there’s a dash that represents all the time between those two events. What do you do with The Dash?

Simon has been part of Australian comedy for three decades as a creator of Melbourne International Comedy Festival, television series such as Acropolis Now, The Games, Romper Stomper, Neighbours and Australian Gangster. He has performed at the Montreal Comedy Festival and recently became an award-winning film director with the documentary LATIGO about Cuban comedians. He performs all over the world in both English and Spanish.

‘From the moment he hit the stage he had the audience eating out of his hand. A talented storyteller, Palomares is both appealing and entertaining delivering a hilarious comedy experience.’ Sydney Morning Herald

‘A chainsaw of comedy.’ The Age Less

EST OF BRITISH PRESENTS
Dan Willis The Meaning of Wife (UK)
Dan Willis (The Whinging Pom) hits Melbourne International Comedy Festival with his brand-new show celebrating the highs and lows of seven years of married life – The Beginners Guide to Marriage & Other Forms of Torture.

He’s been a comedian for 19 years, but there’s no snappy comeback to getting heckled by your wife.
A show to make married people happy and single people happier (or vice-versa).

There may be two less fish in the sea, but they’re two more sharks in the pond.

‘Unpretentious, informal, belly laughs a minute stand-up. ★★★★’ ThreeWeeks (UK)
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’60 minutes of side-splitting laughter. ★★★★★’ Plains Producer



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Suitable for audiences 18+ Less

MORE TALENT PRESENTS
Jeff Green As I Was Saying (UK)
We all need a good laugh after a shocking 2020. So book in for a high-paced hour of non-stop belly-laughs from Jeff Green.

Best-selling author, star of TV and radio, festival favourite with sold out seasons and rave reviews year after year, Jeff returns to Melbourne International Comedy Festival with his favourite stories, jokes and routines from three decades as one of the UK’s funniest comedians.

Let’s get laughing again in 2021. Book now to see a bona fide UK comedy legend at the top of his game!

‘A consummate comic with an eye for silly situations and a gift for strong punchlines.’ The List (UK)

‘Makes you laugh with him and stays with you long after the lights go down. ★★★★★’ Broadway Baby (UK)

‘With 30 years of comic experience under his belt, it’s easy to see why audiences flock to see the award-winning comic. ★★★★½’ Glam Adelaide

‘A national treasure.’ Daily Mirror (UK)

‘One of the best comedians in the country.’ The Guardian

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Suitable for audiences 16+ Less

LOVE THAT
Stuart Daulman The Stuart Daulman Farewell Reunion Show
Like a lot of people, Stuart Daulman spent 2020 in quiet reflection, and after years of conceptual themed and character based shows, this year he’s serving up something different at the Melbourne International Comedy Festival. The Stuart Daulman Farewell Reunion Show is an abstract comedian performing comedy with a microphone, and you should all really get involved – because you will not see anything like this at the festival. Guaranteed.

Stuart Daulman brings a unique style to the comedy world and is a multiple award winning comedian, writer and director – and has performed across multiple states, continents and in a variety of capacities.

As recently seen on Rosehaven, Utopia and Hamish and Andy’s True Story.

‘Will delight and astound absolutely everyone. ★★★★½’ The Music

‘Proper Weird. ★★★★’ Herald Sun

‘Comedy at it’s best.’ Squirrel Comedy

‘An absolute cult.’ Chortle

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Suitable for audiences 13+ Less

In the middle of March 2020 as the world swatted the ‘pause’ button, London-based globetrotting British comedian Gordon Southern had to make a decision. Stay or run. He decided to stay in Adelaide for a few weeks while the virus blew over. It didn’t. Poor fellow got stranded in paradise.

So he accidentally sort-of emigrated to Australia, far earlier than anyone would have anticipated and without the means to do so.

His adventures in isolation and beyond will amaze.

MARVEL! At “Lockdown – the slide show”

GASP! At his escape from near-certain COVID on the high seas,

SHUDDER! As you hear the spinetingling tales of his family still in the UK.

LAUGH! As he tries to join the “legitimate” workforce after 25 years being a full-time comedian.

He’s enjoyed sell-out shows in festivals all over the world He’s been nominated for seven international comedy awards (three in Perth, two in NZ, one in Edinburgh and the big one… Dubai.) His most recent award was the weekly comedy award at Perth FRINGEWORLD in 2020 for the show about his crack cocaine addicted therapist, That boy needs therapy. He’s also written shows about suicide, divorce and dementia. He’s certainly not afraid of taking on difficult subjects.

Gordon is also a multi-award-winning screenwriter and has a huge list of radio and TV credits in the UK and Australia. Highlights include Comedy Up Late for ABC TV, Edinburgh Comedy and two appearances on The Stand Up Show for BBC One.

Nisolation is the result of this 40+-year-old quarantine-ager making the most of a magical year ‘stuck”‘in South Australia. Gordon has been a pro comic for quite some time now and can’t wait to share his new happy hour with you.

‘Joy personified. ★★★★’ Herald Sun

‘Manages to rise above the riff-raff. ★★★★½’ Adelaide Advertiser

‘Southern may be one of the most talented comedians on tour at the moment. ★★★★½’ The West Australian

‘Undoubted skills as a storyteller. ★★★★’ Chortle (UK)

‘Fast -paced feel-good comedy at it’s best… endlessly funny and wildly entertaining. ★★★★★’ BroadwayBaby (UK)

Screenwriting Awards:

Winner Best Experimental Film 2018 Noosa International Film Festival

Nominee Best Comedy 2018 Noosa International Film Festival

Winner: Best Australian Film 2017 Sydney Short Film Festival

Winner Best Short Film 2017 Wollongong Film Festival

Winner People’s Choice 2018 Reel Escape Short Film Festival

Winner Best Screenplay 2018 Peninsula Film Festival

Stand-up Awards:

Nominee Best International Act New Zealand Comedy Guild 2014

Nominee Best Comedy 2014, 2015 & 2020 Perth FRINGEWORLD

Nominee Best International Act 2012 New Zealand International Comedy Festival

Nominee Best Show 2012 Amused Moose Laughter Awards

Winner Time Out UK Comedy Award 1997-99

Nominee Best Comedy Performance 2014 Time Out Awards Dubai

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Suitable for audiences 13+ Less

JANET A MCLEOD & DAMIEN WARREN-SMITH PRESENT
Virtually Funny
Some comics are trapped onscreen, some are in the flesh. A cross-continental multi-media mashup between Australian-based performers (who are in the venue) and international artists who have created short-films for the show (and are currently bunkered down overseas) .

Featuring the fleshy Garry Starr, the Two Little Dickheads, and special guests, plus the filmic Natalie Palamides (US), Bec Hill (AUS/UK), Marcel Lucont (FR), Viggo Venn (NOR) and Julia Masli (EST).



Experimental? Hell yeah. With this collection of Gaulier trained comedians let loose in a purpose-built multi-media bar/venue you just know it’s going to be wonderfully weird and hilarious. Virtually (and really) funny.



THE LIVE PERFORMERS:

Garry Starr – Multi-award-winning comedy creator and filmmaker. The brainchild behind Virtually Funny.

Two Little Dickheads – Cult comedy duo Sharnema Nougar (Prague Fringe award winner) and David Tieck (best-selling author of Losing My Virginity 52 Times).

+ special guests



THE FILMMAKERS:

Natalie Palamides (US) – Winner Best newcomer Edinburgh Comedy Awards 2017. Fun fact: also the voice of Buttercup in The Powerpuff Girls 2016 TV reboot.

Bec Hill (AUS/UK) – Videos of her brilliantly complex, pun-laden flipcharts have clocked up millions of views on Youtube and Facebook. As seen on The Jonathan Ross Comedy Show.

Marcel Lucont (FR) – Winner Fringe World Best Comedy. Everybody’s favourite très sexy Frenchman. An international comedy festival fixture.

Viggo Venn (NOR) – The wonderfully absurd Norwegian half of nutbag comedy duo Zach and Viggo.

Julia Masli (EST) – Winner Malcolm Hardee Award for Comic Originality at Edinburgh Fringe 2019 (for ‘Legs’)

A brilliantly ambitious and inventive merger of film and live action – Squirrel Comedy
16+
Suitable for audiences 16+
This show contains: Drug references. Less

DUMMIES CORP
Don’t Mess with the Dummies
From the unstoppable Dummies Corp comes an all-new extraordinary adventure! Don’t mess with the Dummies,

Lions and tigers and dummies, oh my! Set up camp and stampede into the jungle for an outlandish, circus filled extravaganza that will leave you chuckling like a monkey and roaring for more.

They’re on an expedition and you’re invited along for the ride. Pack your bag, tie your shoes and get ready for circus-filled hilarity as the Dummies monkey around the jungle, swing through treetops and skip past foliage. With a rockin’ soundtrack, unbelievable acrobatics and trademark Dummies frivolity, let’s get ready to rumble!

Dummies Corp have been delighting audiences young and old with a nuanced blend of circus, comedy and imaginative play, creating shared and treasured experiences for families across Australia and around the world. Now, they’ve welcomed a brand new cast of fierce women into the team and are so excited to share this brand new production with young audiences and their grown-ups.

The blend of physical comedy, circus and imaginative play give the Dummies’ shows a unique wonder and charm. Like a Pixar film the show appeals on several levels with cultural references that resonate across generations. At the forefront of the show is the timeless and universal sense of fun and imaginative play.

“The audience interaction runs strong in this rambunctious rollick through circus acrobatics and slapstick comedy” The Age ★★★★

Best Children’s Presentation Award Adelaide Fringe 2020

5+
Suitable for audiences 5+
Children must be accompanied by a parent or guardian at all times. Less

MARY TOBIN PRESENTS
Best of the Edinburgh Fest
Melbourne! After a less than funny 2020, Best of the Edinburgh Fest is back in 2021 to showcase some of the best international and local comedy talent.

See the ‘destined to be huge’ (Stephen K Amos) Kelsey De Almeida (UK) and ‘quick as a whippet’ (BroadwayBaby) Luke Benson (UK) alongside some very special alumni Best Of Ed Fest guests.

This is a night of unbeatable world-class comedy that will have you ‘smiling beginning to end, and slightly out of breath from laughing so much’ (This is Radelaide).

Follow @marytobinpresents for nightly line ups!

‘This is the best comedy I’ve seen in years. ★★★★½’ Glam Adelaide

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Suitable for audiences 16+ Less

SHAMIRON PRODUCTIONS
Don’t Trust me, I’m a Dentist
Don’t Trust me, I’m a Dentist is a one-act two-hander play, based on true life experiences of (occasionally mad) actor-writer Amir Rahimzadeh, who in his former life was a dentist. Co-written and produced by (sporadically kooky) character comic Sharon Heywood, they take you on a turbulent ride as Dr Ronnie Ramirez and his long suffering nurse Yvette, whilst also recreating many “interesting” patients and some other poor buggers along the way.

The narrative explores how a once hungry professional becomes disillusioned and unstable during his career as he battles his demons and endures much more than he can take.

What really happens behind the surgery doors? Do you actually know what your dentist is thinking when you’re at the mercy of his sharp instruments?

This sketch-style comedy is directed by Aussie stage and TV legend Roz Hammond who has an impressive track record as a performer and director at Melbourne International Comedy Festival.

Iranian-born Amir is known for his regular role of Hamid in the acclaimed ABC series The Heights. Sharon has written sketch comedy for BBC Radio and UK’s ITV and was one of the finalists in Manchester XFM Comedian of the Year 2016. Previously the husband and wife team have co-written and performed several comedies in their native UK, including the multi-media sketch shows Perverted Moves in the Dark.

Director Roz Hammond has an extensive back catalogue at Melbourne International Comedy Festival, performing in six previous Festivals as well as directing Footy Chicks and These Things Happen. On television, she is known for The Heights, Shaun Micallef’s Mad As Hell, Five Bedrooms, The Librarians, Skithouse and Jack Irish as well as having several writing credits.

Don’t Trust me, I’m a Dentist was first performed in Melbourne’s Butterfly Club in 2017 and was due for a four-week run at the 2020 Melbourne International Comedy Festival before COVID-19 shat on the idea and pushed the production back to 2021.

If you ever thought Dentists were not funny, think again. – Weekend Notes
“Exceptionally witty and slightly sarcastic…” – Toorak Times
16+
Strictly for audiences 16+
This show contains: Drug references, Strong coarse language. Less

Let’s get set for a night at Minsky’s Cabaret Club! A line up of Classic Vaudeville Show Entertainment from Comedy, Live Cabaret, Burlesque, Boylesque, Silliness, Talent, Tricks and More…

Its flamboyantly, exposed and highly charming cast will create an experience to remember from the moment you step inside Minsky’s!
Pre-show drinks will be available in the Speakeasy lounge half hour before show time. Seating will commence 10mins prior to show start. There will be a ten minute intermission within the show where drinks will be available for purchase. Less

FIONA O’LOUGHLIN PRODUCTIONS
Fiona O’Loughlin The Unreliable Witness
Fiona’s searingly honest book Truths from an Unreliable Witness is already a stage show. Fiona has always known the power of a great story and a good joke to show us a truth about ourselves. It is why she is one of our most loved comedians.



16+
Suitable for audiences 16+
This show contains: Drug references. Less

Evan Desmarais is a Canadian comedian who stayed in Australia after last year’s festival season to avoid the world falling apart. Meanwhile, he fell in and out of love, shared a bed with a friend, and traveled to the country’s farthest reaches. Having to quarantine in Howard Springs (Darwin) making the news (ABC, CHANNEL 9, and NT News) for filming a lady attempting to escape. Come hear about a wild year and catch up with your new friend Evan.

This show is a mix between narrative storytelling and top-notch crowd work.

Can be seen on Neel Kolhatkar’s TIK TOK improv games totalling over 10 million views. Less