Brace yourself for belly laughs aplenty as the fifteenth annual Sydney Comedy Festival reveals a dazzling world-class programme, with an array of international stars.
From 22 April-19 May, comics from across the globe will convene on Sydney, united in a common goal: To make you laugh. On the bill are Britain's Joe Lycett, of panel show, podcast, and pithy email fame, and the precociously talented Daniel Sloss, who was selling out the Edinburgh Fringe while still only in his teens.
They'll be joined by their fellow countrymen, the surreal and luxuriously-coiffed Ross Noble, and somewhat less hirsute Scotsman Craig Hill, as well as Paul Foot and Lauren Pattison.
Fiona O'Loughlin
Homegrown Australian talent comes courtesy of festival favourites Dave Hughes, Akmal, Effie, Felicity Ward, Fiona O’Loughlin, Joel Creasey, Christian Hull, Becky Lucas, Jimeoin, Matt Okine and Tommy Little, to name but a few.
Other big names on the programme include Ireland's David O'Doherty and New Zealand's Melanie Bracewell. The United States is represented by funny folk Arj Barker, Jay Pharoah, Des Bishop, and Ron Funches.
Rounding out the line-up are the rapidly ascending Storm Xu (China), Dusty Rich (Russia), Jinx Yeo (Singapore), Kanan Gill (India), Ongals (Korea), Takashi Wakasugi (Japan), Ivan Aristeguieta (Venezuela) and Gillian English (Canada).
Punters on a budget, yet keen to spot the next big thing should check out the FRESH programme, which showcases emerging comedians at the Enmore and Factory Theatres. Previous FRESH success stories include Ronny Chieng, Matt Okine, Lou Sanz, Rhys Nicholson and Aaron Chen. This year, look out for Michael Shafar and Ange Lavoipierre.
Ron Funches
Marrickville’s aforementioned Factory Theatre will, once again, be the festival’s bustling, beating heart, playing host to nightly performances across multiple stages and surprise special events. More importantly, it’s where the food trucks and, of course, bars will be to keep festive spirits high.
Those special events this year include political satire from 'Chaser's War On The Election' (it's the mark of a healthy society); late night live sets in (clue's in the name) 'Late 'n' Live', and 'The Majesty Of Tap' – a tribute to Spinal Tap performed by You Am I.
The festival explodes into action with a series of opening Gala events held at some of Sydney’s most iconic venues: the Opera House, the Enmore Theatre, Riverside Theatres and The Concourse.
Click here for the full line-up.
