STOP, DROP AND LOL: BRISBANE COMEDY FESTIVAL IS BACK IN A BIG WAY FOR 2023
30 NOV 2022
Expect global-sized belly laughs at next 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.
Brisbane Powerhouse has today unveiled its first-release line-up of more than 100 planned artists which sees an influx of major international acts alongside crowd-favourite homegrown heroes.
Visiting headliners include international comedy master DannyBhoy, Northern Ireland comedy colossus Micky Bartlett, Irish actor and comedian Ed Byrne, British TV personality and podcaster Ed Gamble, BBC regular Sara Pascoe, award-winning Kiwi comic Chris Parker, the ‘Maracas from Caracas’ – Venezuelan-born Ivan Aristeguieta.
National comedy icons and fan favourites include Brisbane’s queen of comedy Mel Buttle, physical comedy phenomenon The Umbilical Brothers, TV personalities Wil Anderson, Peter Helliar and Rove McManus, Have You Been Paying Attention? regulars Anne Edmonds and Lloyd Langford, TV and radio funny man Dave Hughes, former accountant Dilruk Jayasinha, and 2021 Melbourne International Comedy Festival winner Geraldine Hickey alongside Aussie importJimeoin.
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.
Meredith said the 2023 program included offerings to suit all tastes and ticklings, with genres spanning straight stand-up, musical comedy, comedy cabaret, theatre and variety nights.
“It’s a smorgasbord in the truest sense of the word, with global comedy legends sharing space with fresh faces on the fast track to national notoriety,” Meredith said.
“The comedians’ shows are just as diverse. From public figures behaving badly to the rising cost of living and modern-day mental health crisis, there’s no shortage of topics ripe for scrutiny and nothing and no one is spared!”
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 2023 is on Friday 28 April to Sunday 28 May at Brisbane Powerhouse, The Fortitude Music Hall and The Tivoli.
More than 40 first-release shows are on sale now with the full program announced in mid-February.
For information and tickets, visit brisbanecomedyfestival.com
