Melbourne International Comedy Festival: The Southside Edit

Local Community

The Melbourne International Film Festival (MICF) is a major highlight of Melbourne’s annual cultural calendar – and this year’s program is as rich and diverse as ever before. Running from March 29 through to April 23, the festival line-up is dazzling, and we’re loving the array of new talent on show! Read on to discover C&G’s round-up of the southside’s best MICF offerings in 2017. 

For the kids

Comedian Anthony Verity has made a big name for himself in kids’ comedy through his hilarious alter-ego, Mister Ants. Showing from April 3 to April 8, ‘Head for the Clouds’ is set to be filled with crazy antics, slapstick, mime and music – ideal for children aged between three and seven.

See it at: Alex Theatre, St Kilda

For young adults

Swipe Left For Love’ is an original play with music – but not your traditional type. The story follows ‘a chaotic, complex and flawed party-girl’ and the various types she encounters on her quest for love. Created by multitalented writer, director and actor Amanda Jane Pritchard, it’s set to be a character-driven comedy like no other.

See it at: St Kilda RSL (upstairs)

For international comedy lovers

Following sixteen sold-out years at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, it’s safe to say that Craig Hill is a little more than you’re ‘up and coming’ U.K comedian. Nevertheless, ‘Up and Coming’ he will be, as it’s the title of his 2017 show. Described as a ‘master of audience interaction’ by Chortle online, you can catch him between April 19 – 23.

See it at: Chapel Off Chapel, Prahran 

For the whole family 

Hocko & the Nelson Twins are bringing their comedic podcast ‘The Good Ol’ Days’ to MICF as a live show! For each performance, two big name guests will pop by as the boys reminisce ‘anything and everything from the Good Ol’ Days.’ Trying to get them to move on and live in the present will be more than a challenge!

See it at: Hotel Barkly, St Kilda 

For the footy lovers

Hailed as being for ‘anyone who knows, dates, parents, works with, lives with or is a country or suburban footballer,’ Tom Siegert’s ‘The Suburban Footballer’ is set to be a hoot. Starting off as a Facebook page full of sketches and one liners, Siegert’s MICF exclusive is well worth a gander.

See it at: Hotel Barkly, St Kilda

For a girls’ night out

Kate Hanley Corley’s new show ‘South Yarra Mums & Other Calamitous Tales’ is a hilarious look into the trials and tribulations of a real South Yarra mum. From choosing a school for your children to choosing an outfit in which to pick them up from said school – the zany show is sure to be a crowd pleaser.

See it at: Loop Project Space & Bar, Melbourne

Out of town for the duration of the festival? Never fear! Local Laughs at The Local Taphouse on Carlisle Street is on every Monday night – a fourteen year traditions that isn’t showing any signs of stopping.