Sydney Comedy Festival is back this year, presenting a smorgasbord of comedy stars for the 14th annual event starting in April.
The programme features over 210 shows, with Festival Director Jorge Menidis saying “it is an absolute pleasure to present this comedy behemoth to the good folk of Sydney. Following the 2017 fest, we set a brief that was simply to make it bigger, funnier and unmissable, and that is exactly what I believe this year’s festival delivers.”
Kicking off the festival in grand style will be the Sydney Comedy Festival Gala across three big nights and four venues with a line-up of hilarious performers, showcasing a taste of what to expect throughout the coming weeks.
Jamali Maddix
International comics will take centre stage including Urzila Carlson (RSA/NZ), David O'Doherty (IRE), Jason Byrne (IRE), Daniel Sloss (SCO), UK acts Ross Noble, Stephen K Amos, Jonathan Pie, Paul Chowhdry and Jamali Maddix as well as US performers Michael Che, Shawn Wayans, Tom Segura and Ari Shaffer... To name a few.
As well as embracing comedians from across the pond, Sydney Comedy Festival will of course bring in some of our own, for example Kitty Flanagan, Aunty Donna, Matt Okine, Tom Gleeson, Doug Anthony All Stars, Cal Wilson, Fiona O'Loughlin, Joel Creasey and Lawrence Mooney!
Making its return to Sydney Town Hall, 'Frocking Hilarious' stars a fabulous all-female line-up and is presented by ActionAid Australia in support of women's rights across the globe.
Want to check out some of the new kids on the block? Look no further than the FRESH programme. An annual initiative, FRESH supports new talent through mentoring and financial support. Twelve emerging comedians will make up this year's FRESH line-up.
Fiona O'Loughlin
For the first time in 2018, Sydney Comedy Festival will present the 'South African All-Stars' show with a spotlight on five of South Africa's finest comedians: Tumi Morake, John Vlismas, Alfred Aidriaan, Robby Collins and Dusty Rich.
Don't forget the kids! The children's programme at The Factory has performers like Mr Snot Bottom, Nikki Britton as Grandma, Debbie Zukerman and Alicia Gonzalez with 'You'll Never Guess Where I Hid The Cheese', Madeleine Culp and Shane Matheson with 'Aunty Plop Plop's Useless Shop' and a headline performance from 'Kid/Dub'.
