Welcome to My City Melbourne’s guide to the 2017 Melbourne International Comedy Festival.
Here, we take a look at some of the best shows that are NOT stand up comedy. Sit back and enjoy a few prized selections from within the realms of sketch, improv, theatre, cabaret and more.
Ali McGregor’s Late-Nite Variety-Nite Night (Cabaret)
8 Shows (30 Mar-9 Apr)
The Famous Spiegeltent
For over a decade, this has been the best place to end your night. Led by soprano opera singer, actress and cabaret performer Ali McGregor, each night features a different line-up of guests performances. Expect a fun mix of music, circus, sketch and stand-up including some of the biggest names at the festival.
Tickets, dates, times and further info
Josh Glanc – Manful (Theatre)
ACMI, Federation Square
22 shows (30 Mar -23 April)
This show has already won two major comedy awards in Perth and Adelaide. Described by The Advertiser as “comedy theatre on this scale is a welcome change from stand-ups”, it focuses on a hyper-masculine bloke as a motivational speaker.
Tickets, dates, times and further info
Louisa Fitzhardinge – Comma Sutra (Cabaret)
12 Shows (29 March – 9 April)
Butterfly Club, Melbourne Town Hall
We first came across this show when reading a five star review from the Perth Fringe Festival. Louisa Fitzhardinge is a linguist and fluent in four languages. She has used all those skills to create a cabaret show based around language, improper grammar and punctuation. Great for those looking for a change of pace.
Tickets , dates, times and further info
Bec Petratis & Martin Dunlop – Burn the Witch
10 shows (14-23 April)
The Butterfly Club
A much anticipated show judging by the pre-festival write ups. Martin Dunlop returns to the festival after the critical success of his one-man murder mystery last year. This year he joins forces with Bec Petratis with a show set in a small village in 1650s.
Tickets , dates, times and further info
Snort (Improv)
15 shows (30 Mar – 22 April)
Various locations
Grab a few friends together and go see Snort. You will find yourself widely praised for discovering a hidden gem of this year’s festival. The show features a range of New Zealand’s best comics, performing a handful of improvised sketches based on words thrown out by the audience.
Steen Raskopolulos (Sketch)
22 Shows (30 Mar – 23 April)
Melbourne Town Hall
Over the past few years Raskopolulos has made that leap from being an “emerging star” to the “next big thing”, finally finding himself a “household name” of the comedy festival. His comedy is clever, playful, interactive and full of improvisation. Keep an eye out also for a second show he is performing with Carlo Ritchie.
Tickets, times, dates and further info
Trygve Wakenshaw(Theatre)
Nautilas (11 shows) & Different Party (12 shows)
11-23 April
The Famous Spiegeltent
Trygve has built a cult following around his physical comedy. This year he has two shows; the solo performance Nautilus and Different Party, performed with Barnie Duncan. If you are looking for something a bit more experimental in nature, give either of these shows a go.
Tickets, times, dates and further info
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