'It’s been the treat of a lifetime'

Susan Provan is stepping down as director of the Melbourne International Comedy Festival after 31 years in the job.

Under her watch, the event  has become the world’s largest dedicated comedy festival, and a significant platform for developing comedy audiences and careers down under.

She said: ‘It has been an absolute privilege to lead the Melbourne International Comedy Festival. Comedy has a very special power that brings people together, challenges ideas and creates joy. I am immensely proud of what we’ve built and grateful to some of the best and cleverest colleagues and artists a person could wish to share such a journey with.

‘It’s been the treat of a lifetime to say "yeah, let’s do it", to so many ideas, then watch audiences all over Australia and the world delighted by the work of the incredible artists in front of them.’

The news comes a week after this year’s 40th anniversary festival drew to a close. 

Over the years, Provan established the Raw Comedy competition for new acts, Class Clowns for older schoolchildren , Deadly Funny for First Nations comedians and the Comedy Festival Roadshow, which brings stand-up to communities across Australia. some of them isolated.

She has also expanded the festival’s broadcast and streaming content and built relationships with the emerging comedy industries in Asia.

Provan added: ‘I’m loving seeing so many First Nations comedians in the spotlight these days and especially proud of the fact that more than 50 per cent of the performers in our galas this year were women.’

Chair of the festival board, Bill Shannon added: ‘Susan’s impact on the festival and the wider arts landscape cannot be overstated. 

‘Her leadership, integrity and unwavering passion have defined the festival as it has grown into a truly global event.  Susan has taken Australian comedy to the world and leaves an extraordinary legacy and strong foundation for the future.’

During the very first festival, in 1986, Provan was a waiter The Last Laugh comedy club, owned by producer John Pinder (founder of Circus Oz) and his business partner Roger Evans. It was they who came up with the idea for a festival, which was launched by Sir Les Patterson (aka Barry Humphries) and Peter Cook. 

Provan took over in 1995 and in 2018 was appointed an Officer of the Order of Australia in recognition of her service to arts administration, festival leadership and the promotion of Australian comedy.

She will remain in the role through a transition period while a successor is chosen.  A recruitment process is currently under way with the aim of appointing a new festival director by the end of August. 

Published: 27 Apr 2026