As Hannah Gadsby unveils a talk show

Emmanuel Sonubi, Elf Lyons and Mike Rice have joined the line-up for next year’s Melbourne International Comedy Festival.

They will be bringing their shows Life After Near Death and Cruel Little Man down under respectively, following their success at this year’s Edinburgh Fringe.  

They join previously announced comedians Sam Nicoresti, Ian Smith, Chloe Petts,  Connor Burns, Daniel Sloss,  Joe Kent-Walters, Larry Dean, Luke McQueen, Phil Wang, David O'Doherty  and Joanne McNally.

It has also been revealed that Hannah Gadsby will be hosting a talk show at the festival entitled The Evening Muse.  Promoters say 'It's like a Tonight Show, but it's hosted by Hannah, so it probably isn't anything like what you'd expect.'

Gadsby was formerly a sidekick on Adam Hills Tonight, which ran on Australia's ABC network from 2011 to 2013, before she found international fame with her stand-up special Nanette in 2018.

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

The festival has also opened applications for its Raw comedy competition for new Australian comedians. Full details are at rawcomedy.com.au.

Published: 5 Dec 2025