Melbourne International Comedy Festival 2022

Overview

After a not-so-funny, lockdown-filled 2021, the Melbourne International Comedy Festival is once again bringing the laughs, returning for its huge 36th edition from Wednesday, March 30–Sunday, April 24. As always, it's dishing up a bumper program of stand-up shows, comedy showcases and other hilarious events — all featuring a top-shelf lineup of both local and international acts.

Among the more than 500 shows in this year's lineup, you can catch global stars like Arj Barker, David O'Doherty, Fern Brady, Stephen K Amos and Ross Noble working their magic in solo performances, or do a little globe-trotting at the International Comedy Showcase. The 32nd Annual Great Debate will see some of your favourite funny folk duel it out in a battle of comedic critical thinking; while Ali McGregor's Late-Nite Variety-Nite Night shows will showcase a handpicked curation of MICF's top comedy, cabaret, burlesque and circus acts, set to a glittering soundtrack.

There's also the Neighbourhood Sessions, which'll venture out of the city for a series of suburban showcases starring the likes of Kirsty Webeck, Carl Donnelly, Luke Heggie and more. The Festival Club will transform Max Watt's into an almost nightly haven of chuckles, hosting cheeky late-night performances, improv throwdowns, lip syncing battles and everything in between. And of course, venues across the city are firing up each night for a smorgasbord of gigs and events, including Storyville, the Carlton Club, Kewpie and the Toff in Town.

Top image: Jim Lee.