New comedy shows court the loudmouths

Hecklers are usually comedians’ biggest bugbear, with their drunken, unfunny contributions to the evening.

Yet they are to be actively encouraged in two stand-up shows about to hit the Australian festival circuit.

Heckle! is a late-night gig that invites the audience to ‘heckle the shit out of top comics’.

The blurb for the show says: ‘Think you have a better punchline? Got a witty interruption you just can’t hold in? Always wanted to tell that bloke off the telly he’s not funny? If you reckon you have what it takes to challenge the sharpest comedy brains at the fringe, then be our guest.’

And producers Laughing Stock admit ‘The performers are going to hate this.’

The show will be on at 11.15pm on Friday and Saturday nights at the Adelaide Fringe, starting this week, before transferring to the Melbourne International Comedy Festival in March.

However there are some rules. Audiences will be told: ’No booing allowed - this ain't a kids’ show.’

Meanwhile, Josh Ladgrove, who last year performed the show Come Heckle Christ, is back with a similar format. But this time as himself, not in his Messiah guise.

His Adelaide fringe show is called: ‘Come Heckle Joshua Ladgrove whilst he talks at you for 52 minutes in exchange for some of your money.’

Ladgrove is also the comic behind the physical comedy act Dr. Professor Neal Portenza.

Published: 9 Feb 2015