2010 Melbourne festival programme launched

Melbourne's comedy festival is bigger than ever this year - boasting 370 shows.

The figure is up 17 per cent on 2009's event, and includes 69 overseas acts.

In total, 1,500 artists and support crews will put on 4,934 individual performances over the three-and-a-half week festival.

International acts include Janeane Garofolo, Julian Clary, Ross Noble, Greg Behrendt, Arj Barker, Ivan Brackenbury, Jamie Kilstein, Russell Kane, Jason Byrne, Josie Long, Sarah Millican, Reginald D Hunter, Rich Fulcher, Jon Richardson, Tim, Key, Tommy Tiernan, Phil Nichol and Des Bishop.

But festival director Susan Provan urged festival-goers to see new Australian acts, too.

'Chances are you'll find something really fantastic and you'll become a fan and you'll be able to say later you saw them before they were famous,' she said.

The 24th Melbourne International Comedy Festival – Australia's largest ticketed cultural event – runs from March 24 to April 18. Visit the official website for the full programme.

Published: 28 Feb 2010