Comedy
Comedy clubs, comedians and comedy festivals in Melbourne
Michael McIntyre
Michael McIntyre does things big: big tours, big venues, big crowds and big laughs. He consistently sells out the kind of long runs that could turn pretty much any major rockstar green with envy. He's even played 28 shows at London's 16,000-seat O2 Arena, eclipsing all other comedy acts. So it makes sense that his new globe-trotting arena tour is called simply Michael McIntyre's Big World Tour. The British stand-up star is best known for his appearances on just about every BBC comedy show, and in 2016 he launched his new BAFTA Award-winning series, Michael McIntyre's Big Show. The Australian leg kicks off in Perth on March 20, 2019, and lands at Melbourne's Rod Laver Arena on March 22. There are also dates in Adelaide, Brisbane and Sydney.
Midsumma Extravaganza
Some of comedy's hottest stars are going to be performing at Midsumma's night of nights, the Extravaganza. The night is hosted by comedy superstar Rhys Nicholson, and it promises to be an absolute riot. Trevor Ashley (Fat Swan, Little Orphan TrAshley, Diamonds Are For Trevor, I’m Every Woman) is producing and performing in the show, and he says it's going to be an absolute hoot. "Last year it was just comedians, but this year, of course, they’ve got a fabulous nine-piece band on stage, fabulous singers getting up on stage and singing songs, drag queens, burlesque, as well as comedy. It's got a bit of everything." As well as Nicholson and Trevor, the show will include Barry Award winner Zoe Coombs Marr, Take Me Out host and household name Joel Creasey, cabaret superstar Carlotta, GLOBE Artist of the Year Mama Alto and cabaret/circus/burlesque YUMMY. And it's not over when the house lights go on. "It will be a great night out, the Arts Centre are keeping the bar open after the show so everyone should stick around after the show and have a drink," says Ashley. "There will be a DJ. It will be really fun to have so much campness in one grande dame of a hall."
Eddie Izzard: Wunderbar
When Eddie Izzaed last took his show on the road, five years ago, he achieved an extraordinary feat. He set what's believed to be a world record for the most extensive comedy tour of all time, travelling to 45 countries and playing all 50 US states. He also performed the show in four languages. His new show, called Wunderbar, has been in development for quite a while now – it started with an improvised show performed in French at La Nouvelle Seine, a floating theatre in Paris, and was then developed through further improvisation in Berlin in German. Izzard said: “My new show is about everything from humans over the last 100,000 years to talking dogs and animal superheroes. I am looking forward to coming to see everyone again.” And there is a chance that it could be your last shot to see Izzard perform a stand-up show given he's announced his intentions to go into politics for the UK Labour Party. In fact, earlier this year he had a brief stint on the National Executive Committee of the party and intends to continue that work.
This week in Melbourne comedy
The Big HOO-HAA!
One of the nation's longest running improv nights keeps on improv-ing
Jim Jefferies
Australia's confrontational comedy superstar is returning home with his first ever arena tour
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Wolfgang's Magical Musical Circus
It's never too early to get kids interested in classical music, and who better to do it than the world's most famous musical child prodigy? Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart will come to life on stage, accompanied by a live accordionist and accomplished circus performers. Expect physical comedy, daredevil acts and of course, Mozart's famed music. But who is Mozart, really? Is he the pun-loving, cheeky larrikin known to his friends? Or is he the genius musician and composer, performing in a wig before kings and courtiers? Through this performance, audiences will get to know both sides of the musical genius. It's a performance of musical mayhem, and it's appropriate for children aged three and up.
Summer events in South East Queensland
During summer in Queensland it’s all systems go on fun and frivolities. The southeast corner in particular becomes a flurry of activity, including sporting tournaments, music festivals, art exhibitions and much more. As 2018 ticks over to 2019, you can watch all the tennis action in Brisbane, let your hair down at one of the country’s biggest folk festivals, and enjoy a spot of polo by the beach. Culture buffs can peruse international works of contemporary art, while sports nuts sit it out for three days at the Gabba with eyes fixed on a cricket ball. In between the formalities there are plenty of other places to chill/explore (depending on your energy levels), including Brisbane’s inner-city beach at South Bank, which makes even locals feel like they’re on holidays; the hill with a view, Mt Coot-tha; and wine trails through the Granite Belt. You can also head offshore to Stradbroke, Moreton and Fraser Islands, the latter being the world’s largest sand island, or get lost in the hinterlands behind the Gold or Sunshine Coasts. Of course, the coasts are also ripe for beachy stuff, so bring your towel and a surfboard.
Amex Eats: Authentic pasta dishes to try in Melbourne
Twirling spoons at the ready? We’ve scoured Melbourne’s many Italian restaurants to find these Nonna-approved pasta dishes, from pillowy soft gnocchi to tangy pesto just made to be sopped up with bread. The best part? You’ll be able to dine in confidence with the knowledge that these venues welcome American Express. Buon appetito!
2018 Christmas Festival
There are lots of good reasons to jingle your way into the city this Christmas. From November 30 right up until Christmas Day, the City of Melbourne will be decking the streets with festive cheer and hosting a huge number of free events as part of the 2018 Christmas Festival. Not even Scrooge could fail to be jolly in Melbourne this silly season. This year’s Christmas Festival will give some of the city’s favourite landmarks, such as Federation Square, Docklands and Melbourne Town Hall, a very merry makeover. The festive fun starts on November 30 at Federation Square, where Santa Claus himself will officially kick off the festival with the tree lighting ceremony. Welcome St Nick as the city’s 16-metre Christmas tree is lit up in all its splendour. There will also be roving performers and a family-friendly stage show before the lighting at 9pm. Make sure you return to Fed Square during the day throughout December to see it transformed into Christmas Square. The favourite meeting spot is the official Christmas destination in the city with a giant, six-metre Christmas bauble. It’s the perfect backdrop for a Christmas selfie or impromptu Christmas card photo, and you can pose inside or outside of it. Every night from 9pm Christmas Square will also feature sound and light shows and there will be exclusive concerts on Fridays nights. This year, Santa’s elves have even rigged up the Federation Square Christmas projections so you can get creative. Using “fingerpaint” technolo
