The Ten Best Shows to See at the Brisbane Comedy Festival 2016
26 days, more than 45 performers, and thousands of stomachs sore from laughter.
The Ten Best Shows to See at the Brisbane Comedy Festival 2016
26 days, more than 45 performers, and thousands of stomachs sore from laughter.
Variety might be the spice of life, as the saying goes, but we’re pretty certain that it’s a necessary seasoning for comedy, too. Being the diverse bunch that we all are, an eclectic array of things can make each and every one of us dissolve into fits of giggles. Like the range of options showcased at an event dedicated to tickling our funny bones, you’re probably thinking.
For Brisbanites, that’d be the annual Brisbane Comedy Festival, Brisbane Powerhouse’s yearly showcase of humour and hilarity. In 2016, they’ve selected the best local and international talent for an amusing onslaught of more than 45 performers over 26 days. If you like those stats, we have one to add: expect the resulting laughter to cause thousands of sore stomachs, or so we're guessing.
BCF has also had the smarts to put these ten performances on the bill, aka our picks of the entire fest. Because one good turn deserves another, we think you should return the favour by checking them out.
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10
If you live in Brisbane, odds are that you’ve said goodbye to quite a few of your friends. No, we’re not judging your social skills — we’re simply recognising that Sydney and Melbourne are filled with ex-Queenslanders who have moved interstate to chase their dreams.
Alex Ward is one of them. Tim Hewitt is too. They’re just two of the city’s funny folks who are now plying their trades down south. But they haven’t forgotten where they’re from. Along with Angus Gordon, Aaron Gocs and Gearard McGeown, they make up Brisbane Born and Bread: Brisbane Comedy Festival 2016‘s collection of Brisvegas-centric laughs. And yes, because they all once called themselves locals, we’re certain they won’t refer to their former hometown by that cringe-worthy nickname.
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9
Last year, we got all revved up about Speed the Movie the Play, but when it comes to comical stage interpretations of famous ’90s films, it seems that was just the beginning. And while there’ll sadly be no blank-faced Keanu driving a bus, this year’s Brisbane Comedy Festival will take on the tragic romance of Kate and Leo (as well as the just-as-tragic collision of a boat and some frozen water).
Yes, your heart will go on as two lovestruck ship-dwellers attempt to overcome their different backgrounds, ignore any rules about getting hot and steamy in someone else’s car, and try to avoid a pesky iceberg. And chances are you’ll still laugh along — even though you know how it all turns out. Actually, maybe you don’t; if anyone was going to work in Winslet’s recent revelation that there was actually room for DiCaprio on the door that proved so pivotal to the movie’s final scenes, it’s this spirited bunch.
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8
Ah, television — everyone’s other, ever-present parent. If you grew up in the ’80s and ’90s, TV taught you about talking puppets, animated environmentalists, and all the troubles that could ever befall a Canadian teen. We’re betting it also made you want to delve into strange happenings while living in a lighthouse.
Not 4 Kidz draws upon all of the small screen delights that littered your childhood — but ImproMafia’s versions aren’t quite the same as the shows you remember. As the title suggests, their incarnations of these classic creations aren’t for younger audiences. They’re also 100 percent improvised and guided by your suggestions, which means that you’ll finally get to play a part in your favourite programs.
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7
Comedians might not like to brag about their achievements (well, some comedians), but there’s no mistaking that Nazeem Hussain has had quite the exciting time over the last few years. The facts speak for themselves: sell-out tours of Australia and Europe, Helpmann and Logie award nominations and hit TV shows aren’t the type of things that happen to just anyone.
Of course, Hussain’s ascent to stardom is just beginning — even if he is already a regular presence on our airwaves and television screens. At his first solo Brisbane shows at this year’s Brisbane Comedy Festival, you won’t just see this talented comedian live on stage before he gets even bigger — you’ll also witness an evening of cerebral and challenging comedy from a performer that tackles politics, race relations and riffs on Cypress Hill song lyrics.
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6
The Mighty Boosh, Flight of the Conchords, Monty Python and Hi-5 are just some of the comedic outfits that Aunty Donna has been compared to. Even if you’re not a fan of any or all of the first three names on that list, the inclusion of an Australian children’s musical band is certain to have aroused a sliver of interest.
Our advice: don’t waste your time wondering about the how and why, particularly when you can simply witness the comic trio’s brand new show at Brisbane Comedy Festival and find out for yourself. You might’ve already helped ratchet up the 7 million hits their YouTube channel has received; however their subversive, hyperactive, witty and fast off-screen antics are the kind of thing that you have to see with your own eyes in person.
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5
Laura Davis is the kind of comedian that, after watching her share tales of life, love, fears and fragility for 60 minutes, you feel like you’ve just become BFFs with. And yes, the fact that she takes to the stage wearing a ghost costume definitely has something to do with it.
We’re not saying that’s why her latest show, Ghost Machine, won the Golden Gibbo Award at the 2015 Melbourne International Comedy Festival and the best comedy gong at the 2015 Melbourne Fringe. But, we’re not saying that her warts-and-all onstage confessions don’t feel more personal and poignant than your average stand-up routine, either.
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4
There are plenty of reasons to buy tickets to a comedy show. Maybe you’re already a fan. Perhaps you want to check out some new talent. Sometimes, you might not able to resist a concept that inspires laughter just by reading about it.
If you’re not already familiar with musician and comedian Jude Perl, her satirical take on the music industry cliché of selling out should put you into the latter category. Imagine Perl as a former jingle writer and current wannabe pop singer teaming up with a sugar company to get by, and seeing the hilarious side of it — because, in this one-night-only entry on Brisbane Comedy Festival‘s lineup, that’s exactly what you’re going to get.
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3
Everyone has heard of the term “strong female character” — or seen it, if Netflix suggests the same weird and wonderful categories for you as it does for us. It’s a problematic description because, while the film and television industry should be championing more depictions of empowered women, the version that many movies and shows offer up is far from realistic.
In most cases, one ideal vision of femininity it simply swapped for another, which is something Rowena Hutson wants to fight against. In her all-singing, all-dancing, Melbourne Fringe Festival-winning physical comedy about action heroes, she breaks down caricatures, shares tales about the origins of her own feminist leanings, and — as unexpected as it might seem — even serves up Bruce Willis impressions. The show is part of the 2016 Brisbane Comedy Festival.
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2
Another comedy festival, another Sam Simmons show, another recommendation to check out his unique brand of silliness. Yes, it’s a predicable pattern. No, that’s not indicative of his performances, jokes or onstage antics.
Actually, the only predictable thing here is Simmons’ continuing unpredictability. And, after more than a decade in the business, he just keeps on getting better. Don’t just take our word for it — take a look at his growing list of accolades, which includes two new additions from 2015: the Barry Award for Best Show at the Melbourne Comedy Festival, and the Foster’s Edinburgh Comedy Award.
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1
Once you’ve seen David O’Doherty live, you’ll likely come to a conclusion. The Irish comedian has such a winning way with his ’86-vintage keyboard that you’ll think all performers should tickle the ivories — or at least combine their amusing musings with music.
This realisation will most probably be followed by another: just like Highlander, there can be only one comic this playful and perceptive while armed with an electronic approximation of a piano. There’s a reason he’s graced every comedy panel television show you can think of, after all — and his 2016 Brisbane Comedy Festival show We Are All in the Gutter But Some of Us Are Looking At David O’Doherty will reaffirm his genius.
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