Comedy
Comedy clubs, comedians and comedy festivals in Melbourne
Hannah Gadsby: Douglas
Hannah Gadsby has been a popular live act in Australia for more than a decade, but it wasn't until she announced her retirement from the stand-up stage that she really made her mark. In 2017, the Tasmanian-born comedian opened Nanette in Melbourne, a show which she swore would be her last. But Nanette was no standard stand-up comedy show. Yes, it was funny, but Gadsby's main objective was to deliver a fiery and furious takedown of the heterosexual patriarchy. To do that, she needed to turn her back on the sort of self-deprecating humour she made her career from. The show went on to win her the Melbourne International Comedy Festival's Barry Award, the Edinburgh Comedy Award for Best Comedy Show, and the Helpmann Award for Best Comedy Performer. It was then turned into a Netflix special that captured the attention of the world – and still holds an approval rating of 100 per cent on Rotten Tomatoes. Now Gadsby is said to have "found her voice" and you'd best believe she'll be using it in her new live show, Douglas. While Nanette was named after a random woman who Gadsby happened to meet, Douglas is named after her beloved dog. Not that you should necessarily expect a show about a dog; instead, Gadsby says that Douglas, like Nanette, inspired her to put pen to paper. Melburnians are lucky enough to get Douglas first, with a run at Arts Centre Melbourne from March 27 to April 7. The show then sets off on a US tour, which even includes a date at the prestigious Kennedy Center
Melbourne Comedy Festival stars talk mental health and the serious side of funny business
If you think about it, April might just be the most emotional time of the year for the Melbourne Town Hall. Each night, every one of its rooms – some grand and elegant, others makeshift and cramped – will host a person opening up to strangers. Some will fire out peppy one-liners; others will go deeper, pulling out stories from their lives, spinning them into comedy, and hoping that people will laugh – and maybe even relate. Comedians have the power to break down barriers around issues that we find difficult to discuss, reminding us that we’re not alone. Humour can help us heal. And increasingly, comedians are opening up about difficult periods of their lives and their experiences of mental illness. On television, comedian Maria Bamford sensitively portrays living with bipolar disorder in Lady Dynamite, and in 2014, Eddie Perfect performed a song titled ‘Don’t Kill Yourself’ for a mental health-themed ABC comedy panel show (making the point that you’d miss out on Game of Thrones). On stage, comedians like Felicity Ward speak candidly about anxiety and depression. The Australia-born, UK-based comedian became a mental health advocate in 2014, when she created Felicity’s Mental Mission, an ABC documentary in which she revealed her own struggle with anxiety and interrogated the stigma around mental illness in Australia. As part of the documentary, she also began work on her 2015 stand-up show What if There Is No Toilet? – a candid (and hilarious) journey through her battle with
This week in Melbourne comedy
Hannah Gadsby: Douglas
The Tasmanian-born comedy star is following up Nanette with a show named after her dog
Michelle Wolf
The comedian behind an infamous Trump roasting is headed to the Melbourne International Comedy Festival
Arbory Silent Comedy
Laugh yourself silly with headphones on as the Arbory goes quiet during the Comedy Festival
Imperial Comedy
Imperial Comedy is named as such not because of a policy of expansion via colonisation, but after the hotel in which it is housed. The comedy is more the...
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Win a trip to Jamaica with Red Stripe
Red Stripe is a smooth, full bodied amber lager from the sandy beaches of Jamaica where it was first brewed, over 90 years ago. Named after the red stripe that used to run down Jamaican police uniforms, Red Stripe is an unpretentious drop that goes down nice’n’easy. Fans of the beer have the opportunity to win a once-in-a-lifetime trip to Jamaica in July 2019. The prize includes return economy flights, hotel accommodation in Montego Bay, and daily activities. To win one of two trips for two people, simply purchase a Red Stripe from a participating venue, take a creative photo with the Red Stripe promotional coaster that you’ll receive with your purchase, and post it to Instagram, tagging #RedStripeAus and the venue where you bought your Red Stripe. Remember to have your Instagram set to public. The two most creative posts will win. The competition is open from February 1 to May 19, 2019. The prize trip must be taken on July 17-21, 2019, and cannot be changed, transferred or redeemed for cash. Go here for more information and terms and conditions. So, where can you enjoy Red Stripe and get that promotional coaster? Here's the list: Jack and Bones Island BarJack and Bones Island Bar prides itself on being Melbourne’s “only Hawaiian bar”, but that's not its exclusive focus. Among the tiki drinks you can get yourself a taste of Jamaica’s famous brew. The Barkly HotelTucked in the corner of Barkly and Grey Street, this is a locals’ bar down on street level that does a hango
Peninsula Picnic
Roll out your picnic rug and don't bother with the food: The Peninsula Picnic is back. On March 30, Mornington Racecourse will be transformed as the region's biggest food, wine and music event brings the Mornington Peninsula's restaurants, wineries and producers together. Enjoy musical entertainment by the Rubens, Sarah Blasko, Tia Gostelow, Latin band San Lazaro and folk artist Fraser A. Gordon. Make the most of the country harvest atmosphere and see what the local chefs, restaurants and wineries have brought along with them by way of nibbles and tipples. Some of the region's best producers, including Jackalope’s Rare Hare, Montalto, Green Olive at Red Hill, Max’s Restaurant, Tuck’s Ridge and many more. There will be wines from T’Gallant, Prancing Horse, Quealy and Kerri Greens, beers from Wild Yak and cocktails from Pimm's (what would a summer picnic be without them?). Pack a few shopping bags before you go, as there will be a marketplace selling fresh local produce, wines, and homemade and artisan wares. The Peninsula Picnic is a family-friendly event. Tickets: $89 available from www.peninsulapicnic.com.au.
Time Out Bar Awards 2019: recap
More than 500 people packed into Transport Public Bar in Federation Square on a Sunday afternoon to toast the best in the hospitality business. Hosted by the very funny Rhys Nicholson (who doesn’t love a free comedy show thrown in with an awards ceremony?), the event saw ten awards given out across a range of categories. Guests were treated to delicious drinks, great food, sweet tunes from DJ Coco Brown, with a copy of the new Time Out Bar Awards issue to take home at the end of the night. Attendees were also in the running to take home their very own crystal glassware from Waterford simply by taking a snap with the Mobsta crew in the Waterford area. The snack game was strong, with Southern fried chicken, pizzas, charcuterie and cheese platters courtesy of Transport Public Bar doing the rounds. People were sipping on free-flowing Espresso Martinis on tap, Malibu Piña Coladas, Altos Tequila cocktails, Urban Alley beers, and a bespoke cocktail from Perrier. As if that wasn't enough they also got to sample Riot Wines’ wine in a can from McLaren Vale, and ciders from Hills Cider Co. So who emerged victorious in the 2019 Time Out Bar Awards? Fitzroy cocktail bar the Everleigh was named Bar of the Year. The Everleigh is where you get the exacting standards, beautiful surrounds and whip-smart service of a high-end bar in London, but right here in the heart of Melbourne. The Everleigh is the very definition of putting our best drink forward.As well as the top gong, the Best C
Maria Bamford: The Irrelevant Redundancy
Maria Bamford is a veteran of stand-up comedy, having released a whole bunch of albums and DVDs in between film and TV appearances. But she's returning to Melbourne for the first time since 2011 with an even bigger following thanks to her acclaimed Netflix series Lady Dynamite, a dark and quirky semi-autobiographical comedy about a woman trying to rebuild her life after a difficult bout of bipolar disorder. She's doing just five performances of her show, The Irrelevant Redundancy, at the Forum.
