Melbourne brings on the laughs

The Melbourne International Comedy Festival has already begun and this year’s line up of queer artists goes well into the double digits. We’ve already showcased comedians such as Urzila Carlson, DeAnne Smith and Thomas Jaspers, so here is a quick sample of what’s gay and funny this year.

For all further ticketing information, check out comedyfestival.com.au

\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\

Craig Hill

Jock’s Trap is the cheeky show by gloriously camp Scotsman, Craig Hill. He’s known for his “McLeather” kilt and his wicked, camp no-holds-barred comedy. He can sing, he can dance and he can even get up off the ground without lifting his kilt.

The Famous Spiegeltent. April 16-21.

DeAnne Smith

She’s the ukulele-playing Canadian and by far has the nerdiest pick up lines that ever existed like “I want to be your abacus baby, you can count on me”. She’s back in Melbourne with Let’s Do This and you should expect songs, comedy and a group chant.

Melbourne Town Hall. Ends April 21.  

Dixie Longate

After her successful festival debut last year, Longate returns with tupperware in tow and her show, My Bags Went Where? She’s the world’s busiest Tupperware lady and America’s southern-fried answer to Dame Edna.

Forum Theatre. Ends April 14.

Geraldine Hickey 

Love or a Slab of Fudge is the latest show by Geraldine Hickey who came out publicly about 18 months ago. Her show takes audiences through a brillianty funny look at love and the benefits of fisting.

Forum Theatre. Ends April 21.

Hannah Gadsby 

Gadsby returns to the comedy festival with two shows this year, Happiness is a Bedside Table and Nakedy Nudes. Happiness is her new show about the lowest point in her life so far and then finding happiness in a piece of furniture.

Melbourne Town Hall. Runs until April 21.

Hunter Smith 

Hunter Smith returns to the stage this year to prescribe some sound and responsible relationship and sex advice out there although be careful. The self-professed expert in all things sex draws on his limited experience and deeply held prejudices for the right diagnosis. Good luck.

Fad Gallery. Ends April 6.

Josh Thomas

It’s surprising this guy has time for stand-up despite writing and starring in the new ABC2 show, Please Like Me. But he does,it’s called Douchebag. Thomas reveals a bad decision had made once on an overseas trip which can only be funny, right?

Melbourne Town Hall. Ends April 21.

Nath Valvo

Eeep. Nath Valvo is almost 30 and he’s just moved back in with his folks this year despite also starting to grow chest hair. This local comic is wickedly funny and wonderfully tragic.

Trades Hall. Ends April 21. 

Rhys Nicholson 

Happiness. It doesn’t come naturally to some of us, especially Rhys Nicholson. He’s the most acerbic and crass gay red-head on the comedy circuit, actually he may be the only one. All the better to see him.

Portland Hotel. Ends April 21.

Stephen K Amos

Amos does not need an introduction for his latest show, The Spokesman. We all know he’s hilarious, hitting our funny buttons without fail. His new show on comedy and life returns to Melbourne after a sell-out world tour.

Athenaeum Theatre. Ends April 21.

Thomas Jaspers

No Place Like Homo is Jaspers’ first solo show at MICF and he’s ready to make you laugh, accompanied by his rather inebriated alter ego Rhonda Butchmore. He will share yarns about his grandma (who is a hoot) and Auskick.

The Horse Bazaar. Ends April 7. 

Tom Ballard

Who would have thought Triple J host and TV personality Tom Ballard craved attention. Well apparently he does, so much so he wrote his latest show about it called My Ego is Better Than Your Ego.

Swiss Club. Ends April 21. 

Urzila Carlson

New Zealand’s favourite South African Urzila Carlson got a second opinion and it saved her life. That’s what her new hilarious show, I’m Going To Need a Second Opinion, is about and who should give them out.

Melbourne Town Hall. Ends April 21

Zoe Coombs Marr

Zoe Coombs Marr’s new show, Dave is done entirely in drag and will poke fun at lesbian totem tennis, sex turducken and being single with cats. Pretty much all the big questions in life.

Northcote Town Hall. Ends April 20.