FULL LINE-UP ANNOUNCED FOR BRISBANE COMEDY FESTIVAL 2023
15 FEB 2023
Expect global-sized belly laughs at this year’s Brisbane Comedy Festival as the world’s best and brightest comedians flock to the river city in droves for a five-week LOL-fest from 28 April – 28 May 2023.
Tickets are on sale now for more than 350 gigs by over 110 comedians, including an influx of major international acts alongside returning fan favourites, with more shows announced today.
Visiting headliners include international comedy master Danny Bhoy, Northern Ireland comedy colossus Micky Bartlett, Malaysian mischief-maker Jason Leong, Irish actor and comedian Ed Byrne, Glasgow’s funniest millennial Larry Dean, dishevelled prince of the keyboard David O’Doherty, award-winning English stand-up Alfie Brown, British TV personality and podcaster Ed Gamble, BBC regular Sara Pascoe, Kiwi social media maven and comic Chris Parker and the ‘Maracas from Caracas’ – Venezuelan-born Ivan Aristeguieta.
National comedy icons and fan favourites include, three-man guitar-based singing jokester group, Tripod, lockdown saviour and content creator Nat’s What I Reckon, supreme master of stream of consciousness comedy Ross Noble, physical comedy phenomenon The Umbilical Brothers, stand-up legend Akmal, TV personalities Rhys Nicholson, Wil Anderson, Peter Helliar, Tommy Little and Rove McManus, Have You Been Paying Attention? regulars Anne Edmonds and Lloyd Langford, radio funny man Dave Hughes, former accountant Dilruk Jayasinha, and 2021 Melbourne International Comedy Festival winner Geraldine Hickey alongside Aussie import Jimeoin.
Complementing the stand-up smorgasbord is a number of theatre and music comedy experiences, including homegrown cult hit Two Man Tarantino, The Kaye Hole by genre-bending cabaret sensation Reuben Kaye, King of the Organ Barry Morgan, satirist Sammy J, the return of Shit-faced Shakespeare, improvised whodunnit Murder Village, and an evening with RuPaul’s Drag Race Down Under favourite Karen From Finance.
Brisbane Comedy Festival Director Phoebe Meredith said that, despite pandemic disruptions the festival’s audience has grown 25 per cent since 2019 and welcomed more than 20,000 first-time attendees.
“It’s true that laughter is the best medicine and live comedy has proven to be the preferred antidote to recent woes,” Meredith said.
“Brisbane Comedy Festival continues to grow from strength to strength, pulling record crowds and converting thousands of new comedy fans.
“We are especially excited to welcome back international acts who share in over 350 individual shows across five huge weeks.”
Brisbane Powerhouse returns as the home of Brisbane Comedy Festival with six stages ranging from the intimate to the epic including the 690-seat Powerhouse Theatre, the Underground Theatre, The Studio, Rooftop Terrace, Park Mezzanine and Graffiti Room.
In a Brisbane Comedy Festival first, Brisbane Powerhouse’s dazzling new alfresco riverside venue, the Pleasuredome, joins the venue line-up, transforming into a luxe outdoor comedy club for a range of special events.
Fortitude Music Hall once again hosts The Opening Gala and The Tivoli returns as a satellite festival hub.
Lord Mayor Adrian Schinner said the blockbuster 2023 Brisbane Comedy Festival program was the most extensive yet.
“No matter what tickles your funny bone, the Brisbane Comedy Festival team works incredibly hard to ensure that there is something on offer for everyone,” Cr Schrinner said.
“With tickets from $25, we encourage residents to take full advantage of the massive program and look forward to welcoming thousands of friendly faces to venues throughout the five-week event.”
Brisbane Comedy Festival is presented by Brisbane Powerhouse.
Brisbane Comedy Festival runs Friday 28 April to Sunday 28 May at Brisbane Powerhouse, The Fortitude Music Hall and The Tivoli.
For information and tickets, visit brisbanecomedyfestival.com
