Our tips for the best visiting acts

Comedians have again descended on Melbourne for the international comedy festival – including many British acts familiar to Australian audiences such as Stephen K Amos, Mark Watson and Danny Bhoy.

With the first weekend in full swing we offer our suggestion of nine lesser-known UK comics performing in the world’s second-largest comedy festival, after the Edinburgh Fringe, over the next three weeks.

1. Liz Kingsman: One Woman Show

This brilliant parody of Fleabag-style one-woman shows has been the first major breakout live comedy hit since lockdown – and deserves every one of the garlands that has been heaped upon it. Kingsman’s alter-ego – who takes ‘relatable’ to define her entire personality –  wittily skewers the sort of good intentions about empowerment and visibility that get vacuously draped around pedestrian shows in the hope of appearing relevant. No cliché is left unmocked in this intensely funny bonfire of performers’ vanities. which has wowed the West End and Edinburgh Fringe after being developed at London's Soho Theatre.

The Malthouse, various times, from April 11

2. Jordan Gray: Is It A Bird?

Rightly nominated for best show at last year’s Edinburgh Fringe, this bold, provocative and in-your-face show is once seen, never forgotten. Gray’s a powerhouse singer and  born entertainer. That she’s transgender gives the show its backbone, but this is no dry, woke (whatever that means) look at identity issues, but a wild celebration of her very existence.  A riot!

Melbourne Town Hall, 9pm (not Mondays, 8pm Sundays)

3. Tim Key: Mulberry

OK, ‘lesser-known’ doesn’t cover Tim Key, who’s been a semi-regular visitor to Melbourne as well as appearing on many TV shows such as  Alan Partridge and The Witchfinder. But this is a s how worth recommending. Leaving trite observations behind, this is less a stand-up set than it is a one-man play about lockdown  and a howl at the injustices wreaked by the pandemic on him personally. Denied access to his friends and even the career that defines him, Key teeters on the edged of into isolation-induced depression, leaping on any glimmer of hope that restrictions will be lifted. An extraordinary show about extraordinary times, full of laughs and feels.

Melbourne Town Hall, 9pm (not Mondays, 8pm Sundays) from April 11

4. Leo Reich: Literally Who Cares?! 

Reich offers a frighteningly accurate  parody of a narcissistic, shallow, entitled and judgemental Gen Z-er. He portrays himself as a ‘thought leader’ but the only thought he really has is ‘how can I make this about me?’ And if there’s no effort involved the better. Underneath it all, though, there’s clearly talent at work from this compelling, camp performer and sharp-eyed social satirist. He was nominated for best newcomer at the 2022 Edinburgh Comedy Awards

Melbourne Town Hall, 7.30pm (not Mondays, 6.30pm Sundays)

5 Seann Walsh: Back From The Bed

His lazy everyman persona took a bit of a blow when he was done over by the tabloids in the UK… but he’s regrouped (and got therapy) and is back angrier, more personal and with a renewed sense of purpose. Walsh – who won the best show gong at last month’s Chortle Awards –  trying to get his chaotic existence in order, and delves into the reasons why he is like he is. All delivered with a passion and a punch.

Trades Hall, 7.45pm (not Wednesdays, 6.45pm Sundays)   

6. New Order

This line-up show offers three excellent comedians emerging from the UK scene who share a dry sense of humour, but express it in very different ways… Huge Davies is an inventively offbeat musical comedian, so confident in his abilities he can serve up his material deadpan. Bedraggled Rob Auton is warm, whimsical and poetic, offering tender stand-up that doesn’t overlook punchlines.  And with so many comics doing material about gender, Chole Petts is charismatically straightforward about not fitting in, as well as being  good writer of jokes.

Melbourne Town Hall, 9.15pm (not Mondays, 8.15pm Sundays)    

8. Ed Gamble: Electric

Gamble’s one of those stand-ups who makes it look easy, which is why he’s fast becoming a big thing in the UK. This show is based on his misplaced hopes of being a bad boy, which so ill-suits his personality. And his breakfast buffet routine in this show is a note-perfect bit of everyday observational comedy.

Atheneum Theatre, 6.45pm (not Mondays, 5.45pm Sundays) from April 11

9. Rosie Jones: Triple Threat

Fast becoming almost ubiquitous on British screens, Jones introduces herself as a ‘triple-threat’ shtick: disabled, gay – and a prick. As such, she exploits people’s liberal-minded goodwill towards her, and her buoyant, cheery personality, to get away with describing some dubious and brazen personal behaviour.

The Westin, 6.15pm (not Mondays, 5.15pm Sundays) from April 5

And an honorary mention for the not British Lara Ricote, who is nonetheless making her name in the UK after scooping best newcomer at the Edinburgh Comedy Awards lat August – who’s an utter delight, with engaging stories of her Latino family and her experiences with hearing loss.

For more details visit the Melbourne International Comedy Festival website

Published: 1 Apr 2023