Having a weary Wednesday? Liven up your working week with a laugh or two, courtesy of the Melbourne International Comedy Festival. If you’re still not sure what to see, don’t worry, we’ve got you covered. Let’s check out what’s on tonight…
MICF ENTREES (Early Shows, until 7pm)
Your eyes don’t deceive you – there is indeed a screening of This Is Spinal Tap as part of this year’s Melbourne International Comedy Festival. This all-time comedy classic directed by Rob Reiner is showing at ACMI, 6:30pm tonight. Also, here’s something cool – Amercian: The Bill Hicks Story will screen following This Is Spinal Tap and can be booked as a Double Feature. Night sorted!
Frehd the Clown aka Clownie – Stripped Bare
Strap in: it’s adults-only storytime with festival veteran Frehd the Clown. Pitched as a magical memoir, Stripped Bare pulls back the curtain, presenting an honest look at the rollercoaster-esque technicolour career Frehd the Clown. Expect this trip down memory lane to feature sex, drugs and a little rock n roll. Performed to rave reviews, you’ll want to catch Stripped Bare before the festival wraps up, so check it out 6:30pm tonight at The Imperial Hotel.
MICF MAIN MEALS (Prime Time, 7pm-10pm)
Rama Nicholas – The Lucky Ones
The terrifically talented Rama Nicholas just became a two-time Golden Gibbo nominee, her romantic comedy adventure The Lucky Ones in contention for the prestigious accolade. Nicholas’ new one-woman storytelling character-comedy concerns all things love, sex and romantic relationships. Anyone who has seen Nicholas’ work in recent years knows they’re in for something special here. As for everyone else, it’s on you to catch up ASAP. Catch The Lucky Ones at The Coopers Malthouse, 8:15pm tonight (7:15pm Sunday).
Sam Taunton – Taunts Down For What
There’s plenty to get excited about when it comes to Sam Taunton’s show Taunts Down For What – after all, Taunton has to be rated as one of the most promising prospects in Australian stand-up comedy right now. A couple of years ago, he made the RAW Comedy National Finals, before being handpicked for The Comedy Zone and he’s never looked back. These days he’s everywhere, from MTV Australia to SBS2, triple j and JoyFM. It may come as some surprise, then, that Taunts Down For What is actually Taunton’s first full-hour of stand-up. With that in mind, this is your chance to get in on the ground floor. Get a glimpse of the future of stand-up comedy in Australia, 8:30pm tonight at the Victoria Hotel (7:30pm Sunday).
MICF DESSERTS (Late Shows, 10pm onwards)
Let’s face it: a key reason you’d still be out on the town at 10pm on a Wednesday is if your thirst for something quirky and left-of-field had not yet been satiated. Enter Cam Venn, whose show revolves around fascination with the world of kink and an all-encompassing celebration of sexuality. A cult hit at the Adelaide Fringe Festival 2016, Balls Deep is described as an erotic physical comedy. In case that didn’t win you over, the show also contains nudity and explicit images. What’s that? Where do you sign up? Easy – head to The Butterfly Club, 10pm tonight.
Rob Hunter – Late O’Clock with Rob Hunter
Rob Hunter’s superbly cringey talk-show-with-a-twist returns tonight for its seventh hilarious year, bringing with it a bunch of bizarre sketches and unpleasant interviews. It has been announced the that Josie Long (UK) will join the show as one of the guests. As for the other, though, you’ll have to head along and see for yourself. Apparently it’s a big one Rob’s been trying to land for the show for a long time now. and a very special international guest we are not allowed to name but who I have tried to book for a long time. Aaron Gocs will also be on hand and, of course, expect some surprise cameos and Late O’clock favourites. It all kicks off at Max Watt’s, 11:30pm tonight.
