Stand-up comedy
Melbourne International Comedy Festival 2026
This year’s laugh fest has kicked off, with more than 2000 performers stepping up to the mic. Here, our writers take a closer look
Latest
‘They’re wild’: Why Tuesdays are comedy gold, and Adelaide can be a joke killer (yeah, really)
Stand-up star Lizzy Hoo can read a room before she actually walks on stage. Sometimes that can be an “uh-oh” moment.
- Cassidy Knowlton
- Exclusive
- Domestic violence
How a ‘rush of feelings’ from a Botox jab unlocked a comedian’s domestic abuse trauma
UK radio star James Barr was beaten and belittled by his boyfriend – but because he thought he was “meant to be strong”, he struggled to acknowledge what was happening.
- Michael Lallo
Scout endured a harrowing night in a small town. Then they wrote an award-winning show
As soon as the misery set in, Scout Boxall began looking for a way to get something positive out of it.
- Daniel Herborn
Some of the world’s biggest comedians are heading to Saudi Arabia. It’s no joke
US comedians are taking aim at colleagues who are accepting huge pay packets to perform at the Riyadh Comedy Festival.
- Derrick Bryson Taylor
From slur to punchline: Comedian with a disability takes back the ‘C-word’
Comedians with a disability are increasingly sharing their stories with candour and humour.
- Daniel Herborn
‘I can’t do this forever’: Comedy festival boss to hand over baton
After 30 years in the top job, Susan Provan is thinking it might be time for someone else to take the wheel. Maybe.
- Karl Quinn
Frankenstein without pants: This may be the show you didn’t know you needed
Damien Warren-Smith’s award-winning show includes plenty of audience interaction and a large naked penguin.
- Daniel Herborn
‘People think I’m a way better bloke than I am’: Why this comedian is trashing his do-good image
Luke Kidgell rode the wave of social media as Instagram and then TikTok exploded, and says being online is now vital for entertainers.
- Brittany Busch
She was told women weren’t funny. Jennifer Saunders and Dawn French showed her otherwise
Jen Brister’s comedy career began amid sexism and misogyny – now she sells out theatres.
- Rod Yates