Tom Ballard returns for second comedy festival

THERE will be plenty of laughs in Geelong as more than 60 comedians descend on the region at the end of the month for the second instalment of the Geelong Comedy Festival.

Across four days and eight venues, local comedians and those well known in the industry will take to the stage, including David Tulk, Gabby Anderson, Matt Bell, Cherese Sonkkila and many more.

Award-winning comedian Tom Ballard is also part of the line-up returning to the festival following a sold-out show last year.

“I remember the crowd being up for it without being excessively drunk,” Ballard said.

“I was supposed to get the train back to Melbourne, but there was something wrong with the tracks, so I ended up getting a lift in a car with a bunch of strangers, one of whom was on their way to a costume party and was dressed as a vampire.”

Among his many accolades, Ballard was the recipient of the Melbourne International Comedy Festival’s Best Newcomer Award in 2009, making him the youngest to receive the award.

The comedian has also co-hosted the breakfast show on triple j with his friend Alex Dyson, winning an ARIA award in 2013 for Best Comedy Release.

Ballard described his shows as funny, loud and “life changing.”

“This year I’ve been talking about all the spicy political news that’s happening across the world, but I’ve also got great bits about the Pope and about going to the toilet,” he said.

“At some point I’ll probably expose my cute chubby little belly too.

“I don’t mind chatting to the audience every now and again, and if the mood takes me, I might try a backflip or something.”

The Geelong Comedy Festival will take place from October 31 until November 3.Ballard will perform on November 2 from 8pm until 9pm at Anabela’s.

For more information and the full program, head to geelongcomedyfestival.com.au