Trades Hall: Melbourne International Comedy Festival

at The

TR ADES HALL on Cnr Victoria & Lyg

rne Streets, Melbou

TICKETMASTER 1300 660 013

WHAT’s Time

Show

6.15pm (SUN 5.15pm)

Al’s Music Rant: The Difficult 2nd Album

6.15pm (SUN 5.15pm) Mercedes Benz... Awkwardly 6.30pm (SUN 5.30pm)

Laura Davis – Notes from Birds

7pm

(SUN 6pm)

Constantinople (NZ) O

7pm

(SUN 6pm)

Tom Binns – Ian D Montfort: Spirit Comedium (UK)

7.15pm (SUN 6.15pm) Eric Amber – 2012: End of the Beginning 7.30pm (SUN 6.30pm) Mark Thomas – Extreme Rambling (Walking the Wall) (UK) 7.30pm (SUN 6.30pm)

Ronny Chieng – The Ron Way

7.45pm (SUN 6.45pm) Emma Zammit – Are You Finished With That?

8.15pm (SUN 7.15pm)

DeAnne Smith – Livin’ the Sweet Life (CAN)

8.15pm (SUN 7.15pm) Mike McLeish & Fiona Harris in ...Plus One O 8.30pm (SUN 7.30pm)

Lawrence Leung – Beginning Middle End

8.45pm (SUN 7.45pm) Michael Hing – An Open Letter To Rich White People...

8.45pm (SUN 7.45pm)

Nath Valvo – Walk of Shame

9.30pm (SUN 8.30pm)

Cy Fahey and Frederich Jones O

9.30pm (SUN 8.30pm)

The Comedy Zone

9.45pm (SUN 8.45pm)

Dead Cat Bounce – Howl of the She-Leopard (IRL)

9.45pm (SUN 8.45pm)

John Cruckshank & Ray Badran – The Cruckshank Raybadran

9.45pm (SUN 8.45pm)

Seamus McAlary - Eponymous

9.45pm (SUN 8.45pm)

Skills In Time Got Dem Big City Dreams O

10pm

(SUN 9pm)

John Conway – The New Conway Explosion

10pm

(SUN 9pm)

SAT ONLY 11.15pm

John Robertson – Blood & Charm: Disturbing Stories...

The Squinge!

All shows run one hour, except Mark Thomas –120 minutes

ON

All Shows Tuesdays to Sundays 29 March to 22 April

(unless otherwise listed)

Room The Evatt Room

10 - 22 April only

The Evatt Room

29 March - 8 April only

The Bookshop

Old Council Chambers The Meeting Room

29 March - 21 April only

The Quilt Room New Ballroom

show runs 120 mins

The Evatt Room The Bookshop

10 - 22 April only

The Meeting Room

10 - 22 April only

Old Council Chambers The Quilt Room The Bookshop The Evatt Room

Old Council Chambers

(excluding 30 March) 10 - 22 April only

The Meeting Room New Ballroom The Quilt Room

10 - 22 April

The Quilt Room

29 March - 8 April only

Old Council Chambers

29 March - 8 April only

The Bookshop The Evatt Room New Ballroom

Sat only

DEAD CAT BOUNCE

(IRL)

HOWL OF THE SHE-LEOPARD

DEANNE SMITH

Winner People’s Choice Award 2011 Sydney Comedy Festival Ireland’s favourite comedy rock ‘n’ roll supergroup return to rock Australia’s knickers off with their brand new show.

“These brilliant boys redefine rock’n’roll comedy.

HHHH” The Age “One of the funniest damn acts on the planet. HHHHH” Time Out Sydney

Life’s great when you’re rich. DeAnne pays strangers to remove her body hair! This 2011 Barry Award Nominee’s doing waaaay better than 1.7 billion people in poverty.

(This show includes ukulele tunes and free candy.)

“This gal’s ready for the big leagues. ★★★★★” Time Out Sydney

“Effortless charm lets her get away with murder. ★★★★” Telegraph (UK)

Dates 29 March - 22 April Times Tue-Sat 9.45pm, Sun 8.45pm Duration 60 minutes Venue Trades Hall - New Ballroom Prices Full Fri & Sat $28, Conc. Fri & Sat $26

Full Wed-Thu & Sun $25 Conc. Wed-Thu & Sun $23 Group (6 or more) $22 (N/A Fri & Sat)

Laugh Pack $22 (N/A Fri & Sat)

Preview $20, Tightarse Tuesday $20

Dates 29 March - 22 April Times Tue-Sat 8.15pm Sun 7.15pm Duration 60 minutes Venue Trades Hall - The Meeting Room Prices All Tix Fri & Sat $25 Concession $20 Group (8 or more) $20

Laugh Pack $20 Preview $20

Tightarse Tuesday $20

EMMA ZAMMIT

ERIC AMBER

ARE YOU FINISHED WITH THAT?

2012: END OF THE BEGINNING

Are You Finished With That? is a show about food.

You see, food and I are in a relationship.

It’s time to take our relationship from ‘exclusive’ to ‘open’. We have to learn to have a healthy relationship together before the two of us self-destruct.

I, Emma Zammit, am off to conquer the world one meal break at a time!

Dates 29 March - 22 April Times Tue-Sat 7.45pm

Sun 6.45pm Duration 45 minutes Venue Trades Hall - The Bookshop Prices Full $20 Concession $18

Preview $15

Tightarse Tuesday $15

(CAN)

LIVIN’ THE SWEET LIFE

Eric Amber (The 3 Canadians) is back in Australia to save the World.

Eric’s first one man show about growing up in the modern world and the future of humanity will make you laugh until you sigh. 2012 is not the end, its only the beginning.

Dates 29 March - 22 April Times Tue-Sat 7.15pm Sun 6.15pm Duration 60 minutes Venue Trades Hall - The Quilt Room Prices All Tix Thu-Sat $21

All Tix Tue-Wed & Sun $12

JOHN CONWAY THE NEW CONWAY EXPLOSION Best Newcomer Nominee 2011 Melbourne Comedy Festival It’s like if a comedian went to a party with a pack of acid wolves and ruined it; but the party was shitty anyway so Conway and the wolves actually made it hell good. “★★★★” The List (UK) “★★★★. This shit is live.” Herald Sun “Demented, in a wonderful way.” The Age Dates 29 March - 22 April Times Tue-Sat 10pm

Sun 9pm Duration 60 minutes Venue Trades Hall - The Bookshop Prices Full $20 Concession $15

Tightarse Tuesday $15

JOHN ROBERTSON

BLOOD & CHARM: DISTURBING STORIES FOR DISTURBING BEDTIMES Direct from the Edinburgh Fringe, John Robertson delivers the story of a father, a suicide, true love, bondage and children’s entertainment. Gin, anyone?

“HHHHH. So skilfully executed... you must see this show.”

JOHN CRUCKSHANK & RAY BADRAN THE CRUCKSHANK RAYBADRAN

Two comics trying to break out.

The Cruckshank Raybadran. Sounds like The Shawshank Redemption. Well, it’s about as close to sounding like that as regular milk is to tasting like vanilla milk.

Anyway, Ray Badran and John Cruckshank do a set of stand-up comedy each, with three combined references to the film that inspired the name of the show.

Dates 10 - 22 April Times Tue-Sat 9.45pm

Sun 8.45pm Duration 60 minutes Venue Trades Hall - The Quilt Room Prices Full $18 Concession $15

Laugh Pack $15 Tightarse Tuesday $15

LAURA DAVIS NOTES FROM BIRDS Can you find a message from the universe written on a can of VB? If you leave your phone number in a forest and nobody’s around will anybody call you? When does a game start being more than a game?

Equal parts manic and marvellous, join Laura Davis on a bright, freewheeling detective chase through the dark pockets of Melbourne.

British Comedy Guide

“HHHH. Stylish, alternative, funny.” Chortle (UK) “HHHH. So fantastically alive he must have

sold his soul.” ThreeWeeks (UK) Dates 29 March - 22 April Times Tue-Sat 10pm Sun 9pm Duration 60 minutes Venue Trades Hall - The Evatt Room Prices Full $20 Concession $15 Group (4 or more) $15 Laugh Pack $15

Preview $10 Tightarse Tuesday $10

Dates 29 March - 22 April Times Tue-Sat 6.30pm

Sun 5.30pm Duration 55 minutes Venue Trades Hall - The Bookshop Prices Full $18 Concession $15 Group (3 or more) $15 Preview $15

Laugh Pack $15 Tightarse Tuesday $15

Sunday Special $10

W WORK …

OT NE H , E U N E V OLD

Trades hall has been a Comedy Festival hub since 1997, home to some of the best comedy to come out of melbourne.

See a show, grab a drink at the Courtyard Bar or Bella Union, easy for fans of a laugh diet spiced with a little bit of discovery…

HOW TO BOOK ONLINE

comedyfestival.com.au Beat the queues, book online and print at home or pick up tix at venue box office.

PHONE

Ticketmaster 1300 660 013

BOOK IN PERSON

TRADeS hALL BoX oFFiCe Tue-Sat from 5.15pm Sunday from 4.15pm ComeDY FeSTiVAL BoX oFFiCe melbourne Town hall (Collins Street)

FREE SHUTTLE BUS For comedy fans in a hurry – running between melbourne Town hall and Trades hall.

Jump on!

Running between 5pm and 11pm

Courtyard Bar open Nightly from 5.30pm

AL’S MUSIC RANT

Ever seen a human iPod on shuffle? Music journalist and cultural satirist Al Newstead tackles his own ‘difficult second album.’ A whole new hour of all-singing, alldancing, all-stand-upping edutainement. A real one-man band.

“Unmissable.” HERALD SuN “Funny, intelligent & thoroughly entertaining.”

COMEDy BEAST MAgAZiNE

Dates Times Duration Venue Prices

10 - 22 April Tue-Sat 6.15pm, Sun 5.15pm 55 minutes Trades Hall - The Evatt Room Full $20, Concession $15 group (5 or more) $15 Preview $12, Tightarse Tuesday $12

CONSTANTINOPLE

and horse massage.

Dates Times Duration Venue Prices

29 March - 22 April Tue-Sat 7pm, Sun 6pm 50 minutes Trades Hall - Old Council Chambers Full $24, Concession $20 group (4 or more) $18 Tightarse Tuesday $16, Preview $16

WE INTERRUPT REGULAR PROGRAMMING FOR THIS SPECIAL NEWSCAST… There’s only one place to experience Australia’s best stand-up-and-comers in the one show, and that’s The Comedy Zone. These talented comedians are the next big thing to stand up behind the mic.

Damien Power (QLD), Tom gaynor (SA), Laura Hughes (NSW), Dayne Rathbone (ACT) and Khaled Khalafalla (ViC).

Dates Times Duration Venue Prices

(NZ)

Look out there. you see that? Okay… now look…

Beyond. Through. inside.

Outside… to the city of Constantinople. Amazing isn’t it. Now come back.

Back to now. Look at those two great men. Aren’t they funny?

An award-winning twohanded journey through history, togas, house music

“★★★★” THE SCOTSMAN

THE COMEDY ZONE

29 March - 22 April Tue-Sat 9.30pm Sun 8.30pm 60 minutes Trades Hall - The Meeting Room Full $22.50 group (4 or more) $21 Laugh Pack $21 Concession $18.50 Preview $18.50 Tightarse Tuesday $18.50

CY FAHEY AND FREDERICH JONES

FIGMENTS & FRAGMENTS you couldn’t get more different than the puckish and sardonic Cy Fahey and the deadpan (check his pulse) Frederich Jones, but somehow these two breathe life into each other in the show Figments and Fragments. Cy talks of modern life as a young indigenous male in the 21st Century. Frederich presents one-liner jokes that have the audience in raptures.

Dates Times Duration Venue Prices

10 - 22 April Tue-Sat 9.30pm, Sun 8.30pm 50 minutes Trades Hall - Old Council Chambers Full $20, Concession $15, Laugh Pack $15 Tightarse Tuesday $12 Sign interpreter Wed 18 April

LAWRENCE LEUNG BEGINNING MIDDLE END A new show from the beardy guy behind Lawrence Leung’s Unbelievable (ABC1).

After finding bizarre and disturbing fan fiction about himself on the internet, Lawrence embarks on a journey to examine what makes the perfect story and encounters hoaxes, urban legends and some awesome adventures.

“A master storyteller with spot-on comic timing.”

The West Australian

Dates 29 March - 22 April Times Tue-Sat 8.30pm

Sun 7.30pm Duration 60 minutes Venue Trades Hall - The Quilt Room Prices Full $29.50 Conc. $24.50 Group (6 or more) $24.50

Preview $24.50 Laugh Pack $24.50

Tightarse Tuesday $24.50

MARK THOMAS

(UK)

EXTREME RAMBLING (WALKING THE WALL)

Australian premiere of the legendary comic, journalist and agitator with his critically acclaimed hit show.

Based on his attempt to walk the entire length of the Israeli barrier in the West Bank, Mark Thomas tells the tale of 500,000 settlers, a 750km wall, 6 arrests, 1 stoning and too

much hummus.

“Informed anger is a comedy tool and Thomas uses it like a master craftsman.” The Scotsman “Moving and inspiring. HHHHH” The Guardian

Dates 29 March - 22 April Times Tue-Sat 7.30pm Sun 6.30pm Duration 120 minutes Venue Trades Hall - New Ballroom Prices Full Fri & Sat $31.50 Full Wed-Thu & Sun $29.50 Group (8 or more) $27.50 (N/A Sat)

Laugh Pack $27.50 (N/A Sat)

Concession $25 (N/A Sat) Preview $25

Tightarse Tuesday $25

MERCEDES BENZ

MICHAEL HING

... AWKWARDLY

AN OPEN LETTER TO RICH WHITE PEOPLE CONCERNING THEIR ROLE IN THE DOWNFALL OF CIVILISATION

People’s Choice Award Winner 2011 Melbourne Fringe Festival Smouldering pole queen Mercedes Benz takes a moment between lap dances to tell all. A stripper with a sassy and sincere mouth spilling all the juiciest secrets.

“An hour of polished, uninterrupted fun.” The Age “The audience feel totally at home in her presence.”

Theatre People

Sold out Melbourne Fringe 2011 Dates 29 March - 8 April TImes Tue-Sat 6.15pm Sun 5.15pm Duration 60 minutes Venue Trades Hall - The Evatt Room Prices Full $24 Laugh Pack $22 Concession $20 Group (4 or more) $20 Tightarse Tuesday $20

Michael doesn’t technically hate all white people. That would probably be racist, and he’s definitely not a racist.

After sell-out seasons at the Sydney Comedy Festival, this Time Out Sydney Comedian of the Year Nominee debuts an hour-long show about racism, inequality and dick jokes. Always dick jokes.

“Wicked smart and one of the funniest f*&king comics I have ever seen.” Jamie Kilstein Dates 29 March - 22 April Times Tue-Sat 8.45pm Sun 7.45pm Duration 60 minutes Venue Trades Hall - The Bookshop Prices Full $20.50 Concession $17.50 Group (5 or more) $17 Laugh Pack $17

Tightarse Tuesday $17 Preview $16

MIKE MCLEISH & FIONA HARRIS

NATH VALVO WALK OF SHAME Nath has a lot to be ashamed of. He got fired from community radio, applied for the dole and, at the tender age of 27, continues to steal money from his dad’s wallet.

Come take a walk and have a chat with Nath Valvo.

IN

PLUS ONE Every group of friends has its little mysteries, every couple has its not-so-little secrets and everyone has to be someone’s…Plus One. A new Australian comedy written and performed by Fiona Harris (Comedy Inc, The Librarians) and Mike McLeish (Keating!). Friends carrying too much baggage for too long eventually need to unload.

Featuring original songs and at least one good pash.

“A rising star.” Herald Sun “Plenty of laughs to be had.” The Age

Dates 29 March - 22 April TImes Tue-Sat 8.15pm Sun 7.15pm Duration 60 minutes Venue Trades Hall - Old Council Chambers Prices Full $26.50 Concession $20 Preview $20

Tightarse Tuesday $20

Dates 29 March - 22 April (excluding 30 March) TImes Tue-Sat 8.45pm

Sun 7.45pm Duration 55 minutes Venue Trades Hall - The Evatt Room Prices Full $20 Concession $17 Group (5 or more) $15 Preview $15

Tightarse Tuesday $15

RONNY CHIENG

SEAMUS MCALARY

THE RON WAY

EPONYMOUS

Come and catch Ronny Chieng as he brings his awesome new solo show to Melbourne for the first time!

Ronny, a Malaysian-born Chinese guy, was raised in the US and Singapore.

A 2009 graduate of Melbourne University Law School, this legal-eagle is fast becoming one of the most exciting stand-up comedians in Australia, with accolades from peers and critics alike.

Inside an hour, Seamus will make jokes, tell stories, think aloud and make you laugh at his general musings on life and other things life-related (Wonka’s Nerds). Having just moved to the mountains, Seamus wonders if he is destined to become an out of touch begrudging old misanthrope or should he just get over himself and buy a boat.

Dates TImes Duration Venue Prices

Dates 29 March - 8 April TImes Tue-Sat 9.45pm Sun 8.45pm Duration 55 minutes Venue Trades Hall - The Quilt Room Prices Full $18 Concession $15 Group (6 or more) $14 Preview $14

Tightarse Tuesday $14

29 March - 22 April Tue-Sat 7.30pm Sun 6.30pm 60 minutes Trades Hall - The Evatt Room Full Fri & Sat $19 Full Tue-Thu & Sun $15 Concession $15 Laugh Pack Fri & Sat $15 Preview $10

THE SQUINGE!

SKILLS IN TIME GOT DEM BIG CITY DREAMS The sun sets hard in the big city... in this all-new production by the comedy group Skills in Time, three little suburban fellas want to make their big city dreams turn into a big city reality. With a spring in their step, they set off to grab the big city by its big city dick.

Dates Times Duration Venue Prices

29 March - 8 April Tue-Sat 9.45pm Sun 8.45pm 60 minutes Trades Hall - Old Council Chambers Full Fri & Sat $19 Full Tue-Thu & Sun $17 Concession $16 group (5 or more) $16 Tightarse Tuesday $14 Preview $14

TOM BINNS

Squinge: noun. (skw-inj) A live comedy show inspired by a popular TV show followed by a special screening of the TV show itself.

Comedians John Conway, Michael Workman, Jimmy James Eaton, Xavier Michelides and Michael Burke present classic TV shows (Degrassi High, Press gang). Come relive your teen angst years with The Squinge!

Dates Times Duration Venue Prices

(UK)

IAN D MONTFORT: SPIRIT COMEDIUM Nominee Best Comedian 2010 & 2011 Adelaide Fringe ian D Montfort is a spookily skilful, wonderfully observed and hysterically funny spirit medium who contacts the dead with inexplicable psychic revelations, leaving the audience gasping with incredulity and laughter. Spoof or not, Montfort’s readings are brilliantly eerie. “★★★★★” THE guARDiAN, TiMES, TiME OuT, METRO, CHORTLE, TELEgRAPH, SPOTLigHT & FRiNgE REViEW

Dates Times Duration Venue Prices

WHAT IS THE SQUINGE?

29 March - 21 April Tue-Sat 7pm Sun 6pm 60 minutes Trades Hall - The Meeting Room Full Fri & Sat $26 Concession Fri & Sat $24 Full Wed-Thu & Sun $23 Conc Wed-Thu & Sun $20 group (6 or more)$20 (N/A Fri & Sat) Laugh Pack $18 (N/A Fri & Sat) Tightarse Tuesday $18 Preview $16

31 March - 21 April Sat 11.15pm 65 minutes Trades Hall - New Ballroom All Tix $25

thank you we proudly acknowledge the generous support and great humour of all our Partners

GOVERNMENT PARTNERS

MAJOR MEDIA PARTNERS

MAJOR PARTNER

FESTIVAL PARTNERS

FESTIVAL ASSOCIATES

RAW COMEDY & CLASS CLOWNS MEDIA PARTNER

FESTIVAL SUPPORTERS

CULTURAL PARTNERS

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Printed and Distributed:

dY Me e Co eAtr th

Freecard Media Australia All Rights Reserved 2012 #16105 55% Recycled + Carbon Neutral www.avantcard.com.au

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FREE SHUTTLE BUS

For comedy fans in a hurry – running between melbourne Town hall and Trades hall. Jump on!

Running between 5pm and 11pm