Melbourne International Comedy Festival
- Exclusive
- Comedy
Motel evictions, comics falling off stage and clueless reviewers: Outgoing festival boss has seen it all
In her 32 years running what is now the world’s biggest standalone comedy festival Susan Provan, who is stepping down from the role, has seen it all – including comedians falling offstage and getting kicked out of motels.
- Michael Lallo
Latest
‘Really, the kayak one?’ Celia Pacquola takes home top comedy festival prize
The comedian has written plenty of raw, hard-hitting shows. But it’s the one about the kayak that has delivered the big prize.
- Tyson Wray
- Series
- Comedy
Melbourne International Comedy Festival 2026
This year’s laugh fest has kicked off, with more than 2000 performers stepping up to the mic. Here, our writers take a closer look
The best heckles, riskiest jokes and strangest moments from this year’s comedy festival
After a month packed with shows, our reviewers have come together to pick out the best (and most memorable) moments from this year’s comedy festival.
- Donna Demaio, Guy Webster, Hannah Francis, John Bailey, Lefa Singleton Norton, Mikey Cahill, Nell Geraets, Sonia Nair, Tyson Wray and Vyshnavee Wijekumar
It’s the final weekend of the comedy festival. Here’s what not to miss
From a performer who is definitely one to watch to some chaotic sketches, see how our reviewers rate the picks of the festival before it ends on Sunday.
- Donna Demaio, Cassidy Knowlton, Giselle Au-Nhien Nguyen, Guy Webster, Hannah Francis, John Bailey, Karl Quinn, Lefa Singleton Norton, Nell Geraets, Rose Lu, Sonia Nair, Thuy On, Tyson Wray and Vyshnavee Wijekumar
At 18, I met my celebrity crush. Our first real-life encounter involved her telling me off
Comedian David O’Doherty also dated Irish singer Lisa Hannigan. The week they broke up, a song she wrote about him topped the charts in Italy.
- Jane Rocca
Chaos, lad culture and a show that seemed destined to fail: This festival has it all
From improv steered by children to a comedian at the top of her game, this year’s festival is in full swing. Keep an eye on our ever-growing list of reviews.
- Cassidy Knowlton, Gemma Grant, Guy Webster, Hannah Francis, John Bailey, Karl Quinn, Mikey Cahill, Sonia Nair, Thuy On, Tyson Wray and Vyshnavee Wijekumar
The comedian who played to no one: Lloyd Langford on his worst-ever gigs
The Welsh funny man fell into comedy by way of a haircut on stage. It’s in the family now.
- Cassidy Knowlton
The best, the weirdest, and the most unmissable of the comedy festival so far
From weirdly good questions to a clever use of PowerPoint, this year’s comedy festival is in full swing. Keep an eye on our ever-growing list of reviews here.
- Donna Demaio, Cameron Woodhead, Gemma Grant, Giselle Au-Nhien Nguyen, Guy Webster, Hannah Francis, John Bailey, Karl Quinn, Lefa Singleton Norton, Mikey Cahill, Nell Geraets, Rose Lu, Sonia Nair, Thuy On, Tyson Wray and Vyshnavee Wijekumar
Meet the new guard of comedy stars – and watch their terrible life advice
Takashi Wakasugi, Tarang Hardikar, Anisa Nandaula and Sez are among a new generation of performers dominating the stage and screen. We sat them down to ask them for some bad life advice.
- Nell Geraets