Comedy Roadshow packs the best of the Fest

KICKING yourself you didn’t make it to Melbourne to take in its recently-wrapped International Comedy Festival?

A selection of its biggest and emerging stars will be visiting Bendigo in just a few days’ time.

Hosted by the UK’s Carl Donnelly (Edinburgh Fringe, Just for Laughs Montreal), the Comedy Festival Roadshow line-up features Gillian Cosgriff (MICF most outstanding and best independent show 2023) and up-and-comer Grace Jarvis.

Add to that Gen Z star Sez and Suren Jayemanne (Comedy Up Late, Question Everything) and the audience is in for a side-splitting night.

MC Donnelly, who kicked off his comedic career in London two decades ago at the age of 23, said he’s looking forward to discovering how Bendigo folk react on the night.

“To be honest, I find roadshow audiences are always really fun because it’s quite good timing, coming straight after the Melbourne Comedy Festival,” he said.

“I do find once you get out of the city, the audiences loosen up a bit.

“Melbourne audiences are quite discerning, they’re quite earnest – it’s almost like they’re too nice, which is a weird criticism of an audience.

“I think you can definitely let loose a lot more once you’re out in the regions.”

The Melbourne International Comedy Festival Roadshow, Bendigo edition, is happening next Thursday 30 April at Ulumbarra Theatre.

The show runs for two hours with a 20-minute interval and might contain coarse language, adult themes, sexual references and material that may offend.

Tickets are available at Gotix.