Culture
Comedy
Surreal and lewd (and sometimes nude): This year’s comedy festival is off to a strong start
From turning childhood trauma into laughs, to a show that is simultaneously dumb and deep, keep an eye on our ever-growing list of reviews here.
- by Mikey Cahill, Sonia Nair, Hannah Francis, Vyshnavee Wijekumar, Stephen A Russell, Cher Tan, Cameron Woodhead, Lefa Singleton Norton, Tyson Wray and Guy Webster
Latest
The queen of alternative comedy admits her act is not for everyone
Maria Bamford has been named by comedy giants like Judd Apatow and Stephen Colbert as their favourite comic.
- by Daniel Herborn
Opinion
Supermarket wars
Calling Colesworth: Why we give names to our corporate overlords
The head of Coles said she’d never heard the term “Colesworth”. This disappointed me.
- by Richard Glover
Can I fly in a separate class to my partner? Your biggest conundrums answered
We sought advice from that rare species that seems to have it all figured out, comedians.
Series
MICF
Melbourne International Comedy Festival 2024
This year’s laugh-fest has kicked off, with more than 800 performers set to step up to the mic. Here, our writers take a closer look.
Showbags are expensive and full of rubbish - but they’ll stand the test of time
There are few other things I can think of that have endured without alteration.
- by Mali Waugh
Making some noise: the Australian comedians enjoying the Taskmaster effect
After proving themselves to TV’s Taskmaster, these comedians are touring with a newfound confidence and fanbase.
- by Hannah Story
Opinion
Comedy
Help me, I think I’m a water waster
Are there water-saving techniques I could employ to make up for my many failings around the elixir of life?
- by Richard Glover
Miriam Margolyes on the joy of swearing and why she is a serious person
The veteran Harry Potter actor is showing no signs of slowing down at 82.
- by Nick Galvin
‘I don’t think anyone ever gets used to it’: The DMs that still scare Reuben Kaye
A year ago, the performer’s comedy landed him in hot water, but he questions why the reaction was so extreme.
- by Andrew Taylor
Comedians relive those awkward moments (spoiler alert: it’s painful)
Some of us are born bumbling – others have ineptitude thrust upon us.