There’s all manner of comedy at this year’s Melbourne International Comedy Festival, from theatre, to stand up to improv. We have already put together a bunch of great shows you go and see already. Some people like to go all out and either shock, deal with subjects that push the edge, or simply provide thought-provoking stuff that pushes what comedy can be (which in effect could be anything, really).
This is more reason to head out to a show that you may not have heard of. Whether it be any manner of those things, we’ve scoured the pages of the MICF program to see what could be some really great shows to see that may be a little more provocative than your squeaky clean show:
Cam Venn: Balls Deeps
In what is cited as an ‘erotic physical comedy,’ this could be one of the more insane pieces of performance at the festival. The promo video sees people throw something that looks like ping pong balls, a businessman with a string of shaving cream all over him and two people eating both ends of a banana. Strange, weird, but surely fun.
From April 17th – 23rd at The Butterfly Club. More info here.
Gavin Lind: Mediocre as Fuck
Gavin performed a different – albeit similarly titled (Committed to Mediocrity) – show last year all about the terrible state that is the privilege of the middle-aged white man. He received rave reviews of that show from the UK press for getting outside his comfort zone and challenging the audience to think a little bit about their place in society. In Mediocre as Fuck, he will expand on that idea a little bit more with a bit of philosophy, and some laughs are thrown in too.
From April 12th – 23rd (no Mondays or Tuesdays) at Station 59. More info here.
Bec Somers: An Evening of Total BS
This isn’t more risque, but more common sense, really. A health blogger, full of cool tips on yoga, an addict of health shakes and an expert contortion-esque exercise, Bec Somers will get you fit for the festival. She will get you out of your head and tell you unqualified advice with a parody exercise class that tells you maybe this is all BS, and that you should love who you are – as per the title. Or could all this be a ruse and it is an actual gym class within MICF? Getting fit at with comedy? Yes, it can (may) happen!
From April 4th – 15th (no Sundays of Mondays) at L1 Studios. More info here.
David Sloss: So?
If you’ve ever heard Wil Anderson’s FOFOP podcast, you would have been introduced to Daniel Sloss. A genuinely great Scottish comedian who simply has a wit that is unique. He can talk about things like masturbation without too much embarrassment, which is to be hugely admired. He has no fear to get into sensitive material that can just freakily make you really put things into perspective.
From April 3rd – 30th (no Mondays) at Taxi Riverside, Melbourne Town Hall. More info here.
What really can be said about this show that hasn’t already been said for the past may years? You know what goes on, it more or less says it in the title. Two guys get on stage with nothing but their shoes on, present their man-bits to the audience, and then mutilation of same man-bits provide absolute hilarity for everyone in the room. Unless you’re a child, a prude or are offended by nudity, this show is for you. And why the hell wouldn’t you buy tickets to this show anyway if you absolutely love (and totally not offended) by floppy weirdly-shaped sausages all over the stage?
From April 1st – 9th (no show on Monday 3rd). More info here.
The Melbourne International Comedy Festival is happening throughout Melbourne from March 29th until April 23rd. Get more info about the above acts and others performing at www.comedyfestival.com.au
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