Brisbane Comedy Festival

Venue: Brisbane Powerhouse
Dates: 23 February – 21 March 2010
More info: brisbanepowerhouse.org

 

 

Laughter in the sub-tropics

Seems like every city in the country wants its own comedy festival; which must leave Melbourne feeling mightily chuffed with itself. While the big bash “down south” is still a couple of months away, Brisbane has decided to get in on the act this month with the second edition of the Brisbane Comedy Festival.

After the inaugural season proved a success, the BCF is back at the Brisbane Powerhouse once more from Tuesday 23 February to Sunday 21 March 2010, bringing a bevy of international and local talent to the sub-tropics.

The line-up has expanded considerably on last year’s; so much so that the event will pretty much take over the whole of the venue this time around.

Topping the bill in 2010 are Aussie favourites Adam Hills with his show Mess Around, Wil Anderson, who plans on some Wilful Misconduct and Frank Woodley, who thinks he’s a Bewilderbeast. Rove Live regular (or should that be ex-regular?), Peter Helliar, is bringing his Dreamboat Tour to BrisVegas and Shaun Micallef’s sidekick Josh Thomas promises that he has a big Surprise! in store. Irish comedic wild-man, Jason Byrne adds some international flavour to the headline act line-up – not to mention some total insanity.

They’re being supported by some exciting and none-too-shabby acts from around the world, including New York-Irish comedy hybrid, Des Bishop; the UK’s hilarious David O’Doherty, 7 PM Project fave Kitty Flanagan and Brisbane export Harley Breen. Hannah Gadsby proves good stuff does come out of Tassie, while Melbourne’s Tom Ballard comes fresh from being appointed one of Triple J’s new brekkie announcers.

The list goes on… Maeve Higgins, Michael Chamberlin, Melinda Buttle, Felicity Ward, Pyjama Men, Sammy J & Randy and Josh Earls are all coming to share a laugh on the shores of the Brisbane River.

But wait, there’s more… The Best of Edinburgh will also be part of the line-up, bringing highlights of the famous Edinburgh Comedy Festival to the Powerhouse. The "brisbanetimes.com.au Chalkboard" (not a snappy monniker, I know) is back with a different surprise line-up each night; and the very first winner of the Brisbane Comedy Festival Award at the Melbourne Fringe Festival (now that’s confusing), Claudia O’Doherty, will be in town with Monster of the Deep 3D.

The organisers have even taken the dreaded GFC into account, introducing the delightfully named Cheap Arse Tuesdays with special deals on tickets (you might even be able to grab a half-price pizza before the show). They promise that, even if you’re broke, at least you can have a laugh to take your mind off it.

Tickets are available through the Powerhouse box office on 07 3358 8600 or you can go online at brisbanepowerhouse.org.

David Edwards