Culture
Comedy
Puppeteering and tiny tombstones? This festival has it all
From lurid family histories to Excel-lent stand-up, this year’s comedy festival is in full swing. Keep an eye on our ever-growing list of reviews here.
- by Sonia Nair, Lefa Singleton Norton, Hannah Francis, Tyson Wray, Stephen A Russell, Cameron Woodhead, Vyshnavee Wijekumar, Donna Demaio and John Bailey
Latest
Nothing tests my loyalty more than a shop’s loyalty scheme
Why do I join all these loyalty clubs when the “rewards” are so laughable?
- by David Free
Surreal and lewd (and sometimes nude): This year’s comedy festival is off to a strong start
From Tim Tams to a screenplay written by an 11-year-old this year’s comedy festival is off to a roaring start. Keep an eye on our growing list of reviews here.
- by Stephen A Russell, Lefa Singleton Norton, Mikey Cahill, Tyson Wray, Sonia Nair, Hannah Francis, Vyshnavee Wijekumar, Guy Webster, Cher Tan, Cassidy Knowlton and Cameron Woodhead
Sam Campbell never gives interviews. Now, he’s finally relented
Australia’s best stand-up comedian is a riddle wrapped in a mystery inside an enigma.
- by Richard Jinman
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