A massive programme of more than 600 shows in more than 140 performance spaces will take over theatres, streets, screens and airwaves throughout March and April for Melbourne International Comedy Festival (MICF) 2023.
It’s a world of comedy bringing together a plethora of international performers and a bunch of Australian comedy favourites.
Locals, big names, and festival first-timers include Anne Edmonds, Cal Wilson, Claire Hooper, Circus Oz, Daniel Connell, David Quirk, Dilruk Jayasinha, Gabbi Bolt, Georgie Carroll (Aus/UK), Geraldine Hickey, Kitty Flanagan, Ivan Aristeguieta (Aus/Ven),Lano & Woodley, Luke Heggie, Lizzy Hoo, Mel Buttle, Michael Hing, Michelle Brasier, Nikki Britton, Rhys Nicholson, Reuben Kaye, Sam Campbell, Tommy Little, Tripod, Urvi Majumdar, Wil Anderson, and more.
Taking things overseas, international performers playing MICF include Urzila Carlson (Sth Africa/NZ) and Daniel Sloss (SCO); joining Daniel Kitson (UK), Stephen K Amos (UK), Arj Barker (USA), Melanie Bracewell (NZ), Ed Byrne (UK), Larry Dean (SCO), Carl Donnelly (UK), Paul Foot (UK), Ari Eldjárn (Iceland), Rosie Jones (UK), Tim Key (UK), Lloyd Langford (UK), Josie Long (UK), Guy Montgomery (NZ), Dylan Moran (Ireland), David O’Doherty (Ireland), Danny Bhoy (SCO), Sara Schaefer (US), DeAnne Smith (CAN/US), Takashi Wakasugi (JPN), Jason Leong (Malaysia), Daniel Fernandez (India), Maisie Adams (UK) and Mark Watson (UK).
Image © TJ Garvie
Breakthrough names taking to the stage to MICF include Edinburgh Fringe Best Comedy nominee Jordan Gray (UK), Edinburgh Fringe Best Newcomer nominee Leo Reich (UK); and the 2022 Edinburgh Fringe Best Newcomer winner, and recipient of the 2021 Funny Women Award, Lara Ricote (Mexico).
Plus, all-star line-up shows make their return to MICF including Best Of Comedy Zone Asia featuring Malaysia’s Douglas Lim, Aboriginal Comedy Allstars with a deadly line-up of First Nations comedians, New Order presenting the UK’s hottest breakthrough artists, and Comedy Zone, introducing a hand-picked line-up of new Aussie talent.
Festival development programmes continue too. There’s RAW Comedy, Deadly Funny and Class Clown heats currently taking place around Australia and the hottest new talents and crowd favourites will perform at the National Grand Finals throughout the festival.
Check out the full MICF programme.
Melbourne International Comedy Festival runs from 29 March-23 April.
