The third annual Replay Comedy Festival at Comedy Republic in Melbourne offers audiences the chance to see more than 40 of the top comedy shows from the festivals of the past year. . . Breakout stars they’ve heard buzz about. . . And sell-out shows returning.
It’s a chance to fix DOMO (devastation over missing out), and after overwhelming demand in the first two years, the festival is expanding into three venues: Comedy Republic, Arts Centre, and Improv Conspiracy. . . To make sure you don’t get DOMOA (devastation over missing out AGAIN).
“Replay Festival is such a great thing for the comics because when you reach the end of festival season and perform your show for the final time, it doesn’t really feel like a celebration or a moment for reverence,” Triple J presenter and stand-up comedian Luka Muller says.
“It feels like you’re kinda limping over the finish line and you’re just glad it’s over, even if you had a good season and enjoyed the show. Replay Fest gives you a chance to take a step back, appreciate the work you’ve done, and really soak up the thing you made one more time.
“It would be great anywhere, but to get to do it at Republic – which is in my opinion the best place to do comedy in the whole country – really is such a treat.”
Replay Festival will also host a full week of live tapings, set to be released on Comedy Republic’s YouTube channel later this year. This includes Comedy Republic Live: a line-up of Melbourne’s best comedians plus fully produced specials for Lloyd Langford, Claire Hooper, Dane Simpson, Luka Muller, Bronwyn Kuss, Urvi Majumdar, Ben Kochan and Oliver Coleman.
“After 20 years in the business, I’m finally filming my first special,” Claire Hooper says. “Why now? It’s certainly not because of the show – which I’m terrified of having watched by all the people I badmouth in it. And it’s not to chase the idea of immortality, I already did that by having children, who are the main people I badmouth in the show.”
“It’s because of Comedy Republic. It’s my favourite place in Australia to perform. This place has been amazing for our comedy community and I’m over the moon to have the opportunity to be one of the first artists on their new YouTube channel.”
Highlight performances this year include Jenny Tian, Nick White, Reuben Kaye, Zoe Coombs Marr, Geraldine Hickey, and Lloyd Langford. Plus, you can check out this year’s award winners like Noah Stzo (Best Newcomer), Ben Russell (Director’s Choice), Claire Hooper (Piece Of Wood), Dougie Baldwin (Golden Gibbo), and Bronwyn Kuss (Pinder Prize).
“As someone who’s been through the grind of coming up through the Melbourne comedy scene, I know how crucial it is to have platforms like this for up-and-coming artists,” Australian comedian, actor and ‘Drag Race Down Under’ judge Rhys Nicholson says. “Giving local comedians another shot at the spotlight is a big help towards growing our local talent and helping our industry to compete on the international stage.”
Replay Comedy Festival is on at Comedy Republic (Melbourne) throughout all of July.
