Brisbane Comedy Festival Has Just Unveiled Its Laughter-Packed Full 2022 Lineup

Brisbane, get ready to giggle — because a whole heap of chuckle-inducing comedians are coming your way. Normally at this time in March, guffaws and chortles would already be echoing through Brisbane Powerhouse; however, as announced last year, 2022's Brisbane Comedy Festival is happening a bit later than usual. The just-dropped full lineup will still have you in stitches, though.

Some of 2022's funny folks were already revealed last year, too, so you've probably already been looking forward to rolling in the aisles watching Nazeem Hussain, Ross Noble, Tom Ballard and Melanie Bracewell, plus Josh Earl, Jude Perl, Wil Anderson, Lizzy Hoo, Nat's What I Reckon and Peter Helliar. But the list of talent that'll be doing their hilarious thing across Friday, April 29–Sunday, May 29 definitely doesn't end there, with more than 100 comedians bringing the laughs across 350-plus shows.

Also on the bill: the inimitable David O'Doherty, complete with his trusty keyboard; Irish star Jason Byrne, who heads back to Australia for the first time in four years; Malaysian doctor-turned-comedian Jason Leong; the BCF debut of Schapelle, Schapelle – The Musical; the return of Speed: The Movie, The Play; and everyone from the always side-splitting Judith Lucy to TV regular Dave Hughes.

And, there's a big focus on local talent — so much so that BCF 2022 boasts the fest's largest-ever homegrown lineup. Becky Lucas, Cal Wilson, Claire Hooper, Mel Buttle, Zoë Coombs Marr, Rhys Nicholson, Reuben Kaye and The Chaser's Andrew Hansen: they're all on the bill, too.

Plus, BCF is also shining a spotlight on well-known and upcoming Indigenous comics, including Steven Choolburra, Kevin Kropinyeri, Andy Saunders and Steph Tisdell.

Other highlights from the program include the Brisbane Comedy Festival Opening Gala, with Nick Cody hosting; the Multicultural Comedy Gala, complete with Akmal, Tahir and Ting Lim; late-night comedy sessions; and a Sunday roast at The Tivoli. Or, there's also Brisburned's comedy sketches about Brissie, after-work laughs and the return of Queerstories.

Wondering which BCF show has the best name? That'd be Diana Nguyen's Chasing Keanu Reeves.

As always, Brisbane Comedy Festival will takeover Brisbane Powerhouse, filling as many of the New Farm spot's spaces with comedians as it possibly can. And, venue-wise, it'll also get you giggling at The Tivoli and Fortitude Music Hall.

The 2022 Brisbane Comedy Festival will take place between Friday, April 29–Sunday, May 29. For further details and tickets, head to the festival's website.