Brisbane Comedy Festival hits double digits in 2019 and – like any impatient 10-year-old – has already ripped off the wrapping paper to reveal a bumper four-week program.
Audiences will be treated to a slew of top international entertainers, some of Australia’s favourite acts, a bevy of Brisbane talent and emerging superstars with 75 acts across Brisbane Powerhouse, Brisbane City Hall and SunPAC from February 22 to March 24, 2019.
The festival isn’t the only 10-year-old lining up for a laugh with the introduction of a family program celebrating class clowns, fart jokes and a snot-load of fun across five shows sure to tickle the funny bones of children and adults alike.
The merry month kicks off with the Brisbane Comedy Festival Opening Gala, hosted by Charlie Pickering in his only festival performance.
A veritable United Nations of entertainers will jet into Brisbane across the four-week festival including English comedians Ross Noble, Jeff Green and Rod Kemp; Scotsmen Danny Bhoy, Daniel Sloss and Larry Dean; Canadian DeAnne Smith; New Zealander Paul Williams; and Venezuelan Ivan Aristeguieta.
Aussie exports Ronny Chieng and Felicity Ward, now based in the US and UK respectively, are flying back for Brisbane Comedy Festival 2019 with national treasures and hometown heroes including Dave Hughes, Tom Ballard, Tim Ferguson, Nazeem Hussain, Lawrence Mooney, Mel Buttle, Damien Power and Becky Lucas also sharpening their razor wit for audiences.
Complementing a strong roster of stand-up shows, squads of funny people will gang up for a series of all-star acts including Frocking Hilarious, Queerstories, Lady Sings It Better and Shit-faced Shakespeare making its Brisbane debut with A Midsummer Night’s Dream.
More PG-rated fare plays out across the dedicated family program with Around The Campfire improvised comedy, Whimpy Chimpygame show, Mr Snot Bottom’s Stinky Silly Show, The World According To Farts & Other Extraordinary Sounds Of The Human Body, and the Class Clowns competition for students in Years 9-12.
Brisbane Powerhouse Artistic Director Kris Stewart said a packed program of stand-up, sketch, improvisation and cabaret was a great excuse for Brisbane to “get skit-faced”.
“Brisbane Comedy Festival hits the big one-oh, and just like any pre-teen is growing up before our very eyes,” Mr Stewart said.
“This year, we’re spreading the laughs far and wide and showing our unashamedly immature colours with a program just for families.
“We think kids’ comedy is awesome and know even adults will get a laugh out of the weird, wonderful and ridiculous shows we have planned.”
Brisbane Comedy Festival 2019 runs from February 22 to March 24. Pre-sale tickets are available from Tuesday 4 December atbrisbanecomedyfestival.com. General tickets are released on Friday 7 December 2018.
Brisbane Comedy Festival 2019 is presented by Brisbane Powerhouse with support from Brisbane City Council. It is proudly presented by Brisbane Powerhouse with support from Brisbane City Council. Thanks to Brisbane Comedy Festival partners, including Archie Rose Distilling Co, Bambrick Media, Epicure, LOWD, Newstead Brewing Co, Nick Did This, NW Group, Proud Mary, Scenestr, SunPAC, The Johnson, Triple M and Valiant Events.
Brisbane Comedy Festival 2019
22 February – 24 March 2019
Brisbane Powerhouse, Brisbane City Hall and SunPAC
www.brisbanecomedyfestival.com.au
