Geelong set for a night of festival laughs this July

ADAM CARSWELL

Missed the buzz of the Melbourne International Comedy Festival? Geelong audiences won’t have to travel far to get a taste of it.

The festival’s roadshow is rolling into town in July, bringing a curated mix of established names and rising stars straight to Geelong Arts Centre.

Part of a national tour that has been running for nearly three decades, the Melbourne International Comedy Festival Roadshow distils the festival experience into one fast-paced, crowd-pleasing night — from sharp observational humour to left-field, high-energy sets.

UK comedian Carl Donnelly, who hosted the Ballarat leg of the roadshow last week, said regional crowds often bring a different energy.

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

“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.”

Among those set to take the stage are offbeat storyteller David Quirk, sharp emerging voice Henry Yan, and fast-rising comic Jo Gowda, alongside sketch duo Nat Harris and Hannah Camilleri, known for their energetic and absurdist style.

They’ll appear in Geelong on Saturday 4 July from 7.30pm, with tickets available through Geelong Arts Centre.