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.
There will be a slew of 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 22 February to 24 March 2019.
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 the roster of stand-up shows, squads of funny people will gang up for a series of acts including Frocking Hilarious, Queerstories, Lady Sings It Better and Shit-faced Shakespeare making its Brisbane debut with A Midsummer Night’s Dream.
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,” Kris 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.”
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