MICF SELL-OUTS
We’re in the final days of the comedy festival, which means you’ll have to act fast to see your favourites perform. The following is a list of the hottest tickets in town – the shows that have been selling out over the past few days – so book ASAP to avoid disappointment.
Guy Montgomery – Guy Montcomedy
Luke Heggie – Anythink is Possible
Tim Vine – Tim Timinee Tim Timinee Tim Tim To You
MICF ENTREES (Early Shows, until 7pm)
Damien Vosk has spent a lot of time wrestling with his own normality, as well as his own sanity. He’s putting his internal musings to good use, though, presenting a veritable feast of observations, razor-sharp wit and characters throughout The Average. For the past four years, Vosk has been performing and teaching improv comedy with The Improv Conspiracy and now he’s stepping out on his own. Support his debut show by getting down to The Improv Conspiracy Space, Fri-Sat 6:45pm and Sun 5:45pm.
Walker has been scoring plenty of social media praise for Beep Boop, his debut Melbourne International Comedy Festival show. It comes as no surprise, really: he recently performed at the Adelaide and Sydney Fringe Festivals and was received well on both occasions. With a National Theatresports Championship and two years at École Philippe Gaulier under his belt, Walker’s star will only continue to rise . Let him entertain you. Catch his self-proclaimed “strange and very stupid” clown-influenced show at The Tuxedo Cat, Fri-Sat 6pm and Sun 5pm
MICF MAIN MEALS (Prime Time, 7pm-10pm)
Asher Treleaven & Gypsy Wood – Peter & Bambi Heaven – The Magic Inside
Incredibly, Asher Treleaven and Gypsy Wood are portraying a couple on stage while in the midst of their real-life divorce. You’re immediately intrigued, right? Even more amazingly, Treleaven and Wood have smashed it out of the park this comedy festival season, The Magic Inside earning a nomination for the Golden Gibbo Award. This is one show that has had people chatting since the beginning of the festival, its praises sung from the outset. Head over to the Roxanne and help yourself to the hilarity, Fri-Sat 7pm and Sun 6pm.
Tom Gleeson is a three-time Helpmann Award nominee, a regular on ABC TV’s The Weekly and was hand-picked to support Louis CK on his Australian tour. Basically, he’s one of Australia’s best stand-up comedians. Gleeson has returned to the Melbourne International Comedy Festival for a limited season – in fact, only two nights remain. Catch him at The Comedy Theatre. Fri-Sat 7pm.
Acclaimed Irish comedian Jimeoin will be celebrating the Melbourne International Comedy Festival’s 30th year in style, presenting a new ninety-minute show, For One Night Only, at Crown. Those who have already perused the festival’s online guide or flicked through the program may have noticed that, in actuality, For One Night Only runs for three dates. Nicely done. Catch this legend of comedy doing what he does best Fri-Sun 7.30pm, The Palms at Crown Casino.
MICF DESSERTS (Late Shows, 10pm onwards)
Remember when we recommended Laura Davis’ show a few days back? She had to add a bunch of performances due to Marco. Polo. being so insanely popular. Tonight is your second-to-last opportunity to see the show. Davis is one of a few comics having a massive, almost-every-night-sold-out season – help her cap things off in style. Catch her at ACMI, either 10:45pm tonight or tomorrow night.
It’s little wonder Set List has become an international hit, the show boasting an intriguing premise. Set List shies away from pre-prepared material, instead revolveing around impromptu sink-or-swim riffs on random topics. Your favourite comics will be forced to think on their feet and make things up as they go along. Boasting sold out shows in sold out shows in Edinburgh, Montreal and London, Set List has become an international comedy addiction for comics and crowds alike. Tonight’s line-up features Susie Youssef as your MC, as well as Tom Ballard, Bart Freebairn, Simon Munnery, Jake Johannsen and Nish Kumar. Just two nights remain – catch Set List at the Roxanne, tonight and Sat 11pm.
MICF SPECIALS (One-Offs and Discounts)
On paper, Zoe Coombs Marr and Rhys Nicholson are a perfect match: both are Barry Award-nominated comedians and both support marriage equality. They’re so in favour of marriage equality, in fact, that they’re going to tie the knot at The Festival Club this evening. It’s meant as the ultimate act of protest, highlighting the ridiculousness that neither they nor any homosexual person in Australia may marry their same-sex partner. A stellar but as-yet-unannounced line-up of comedians will be in attendance and proceeds from the event will go towards supporting Minus18, an organisation which supports LGBTI youth. It all kicks off 11:30pm at the Festival Club.
