Fast Laugh

The Age

Friday April 15, 2005

Jo Roberts

We're almost done. Soon there'll be time aplenty to catch up on sleep, home cooking and start that long-overdue detox. It's the final weekend of the 19th Melbourne International Comedy Festival, and it's reaching its usual bottleneck conclusion; either many shows have sold out, or there's simply too few nights left to see the acts that you'd hoped to.

To meet demand, some of the bigger names appearing at the Melbourne Town Hall have added extra shows. The 4 Noels (above) are doing one more performance of their hit 2000 show Doomriders at the Lower Town Hall on Sunday at 4.30pm, as part of a limited return season. Barry Award nominee Chris Addison is at the Supper Room, tonight at 11.15pm, while fellow Barry hopeful Demetri Martin has extra shows at the Banquet Room tonight and tomorrow at 11.15pm, tomorrow at 5.30pm and Sunday at 4.30pm.

Meanwhile, Rich Hall and 2003 Barry winner Mike Wilmot (also a nominee this year) combine their comedic might for a show at the Lower Town Hall tomorrow at 11.15pm, and local fave Wil Anderson does two more shows, tonight at the Lower Town Hall at 11.15pm and tomorrow at the Supper Room at 11.15pm. Fellow local lad Dave Hughes has gone extra extra Tasty with a second extra show added tomorrow at the Main Hall at 9.30pm.

Alternatively, there's plenty of smaller shows to catch before the festival ends on Sunday. If bogan rap meets Alexi Sayle sounds like your bag, check out the very grouse The Angels Brought Me Here at Trades Hall. It's in the program under Hells Angels Brought Me Here, but the powers that be (ie. local Hells Angels chapter members) requested a name change. Funnily enough, the show's stars, Cliffy and Dave, didn't argue. If surreal humour, Jesuit foot baths, vaudeville and soft toy fights sounds more appealing, Wild Duck at Duckboard House is a must-see.

Finally, if you're still awake about 1am Sunday (yes, we mean late Saturday night), the Hi Fi Bar (Swanston Street, over from the Town Hall) hosts the ever-entertaining presentation of the Comedy Festival awards, including the Barry, Best Newcomer and The Age Critics Award. More details at www.comedyfestival.com.au -- Jo Roberts

© 2005 The Age

Back to News Index | Back to Home