Lots of Brits among them...

The first names have been announced for next year’s 40th anniversary Melbourne International Comedy Festival – with a number of Brits among them.

Confirmed so far are Sam Nicoresti – winner of the 2025 Edinburgh Comedy Award for Best Show, pictured– along with Ian Smith, Chloe Petts,  Connor Burns, Daniel Sloss,  Joe Kent-Walters, Larry Dean, Luke McQueen and Phil Wang.

David O'Doherty  and Joanne McNally  represent Ireland with Sam Jay, Abby Govindan and Zainab Johnson heading in from the US.

The international contingent in this initial announcement is rounded off by  Douglas Lim (Singapore), Fadzri Rashid (Singapore), Jason Leong (Malaysia), Schalk Bezuidenhout (South Africa), Sofie Hagen (Denmark), Takashi Wakasugi (Japan) and Tarang Hardikar (India).

Next year’s festival, which runs from March 25 to April 19, wi; inso include the The Big 4-Oh gig celebrateing legends from across the Festival’s four decades.

Festival director Susan Provan said: ‘We’re looking forward to celebrating the funny and fearless artists who have bought us four decades of good-times. From what’s-a-website to WhatsApp, faxes to iPhones, the constant has been the joy of sitting in a room sharing genius live comedy. Long live the best artform on the planet!’

A huge number of Australian and New Zealand comics have also been announced:  Abby Howells, Alexandra Hudson, Alex Ward, Alexei Toliopoulos, Anisa Nandaula, Aves Robin, Brett Blake, Bron Lewis, The Burton Brothers, Celia Pacquola, Cassie Workman, Chris Parker, Circus Oz, Cowboy C*untry featuring Kath Ebbs, Courtney Smith, Damian Callinan, Dan Rath, Daniel Connell, Daniel Muggleton, Dave Hughes, Dave Thornton, Denise Scott, Dilruk Jayasinha, Elouise Eftos, Emily Taheny & Christie Whelan Browne, Emma Holland, Geraldine Hickey, Grace Jarvis, Guy Williams, Harry Jun, He Huang, Henry Yan, Ivan Aristeguieta, Jack Ansett, Jenny Tian, Jimeoin, Jordan Barr, Kirsty Webeck, Kitty Flanagan, Lano & Woodley, Lena Moon, Lizzy Hoo, Lou Wall, Luke Heggie, Luke Kidgell, Nick Cody, Meg Jäger, Melanie Bracewell,, Mel McGlensey, Nath Valvo, Nathan Chin, Nazeem Hussain, Pete Helliar, Rapha Manajem, Ray O’Leary, Reuben Kaye, Rowan Thambar, Sammy J, Sashi Perera, Tom Ballard, Tom Cashman, Tom Gleeson, Tommy Little, The Umbilical Brothers, Urzila Carlson , Wil Anderson and Will Gibb – plus  First Nations artists  including Kevin Kropinyeri, Leon Filewood, Steph Tisdell, Tarsh Jago, Kylan Ambrum and Elaine Crombie.

For more information and to book tickets visit comedyfestival.com.au 

Published: 20 Nov 2025