The Melbourne International Comedy Festival is thrilled to bring back a specially curated program of kids’ shows and all-age events, offering the chance for the whole family to get out and explore together these April school holidays.
From a line-up of the best physical and musical comedy acts at Fed Square with The (Very) Big Laugh Out, to a completely re-imagined family CIRCUS spectacular, an improv class which turns scary suggestions into a Spooktacular show in Improvilicous The Improvised Guide to Spooky Stories, or discovering the silly with the star of the award-winning ‘Busy Bodies’ podcast in Mr Snot Bottom 10 Stinky, Silly Years, it’s time for kids and adults alike to enjoy a show in Melbourne.
For those looking to go out and get dressed up, the Festival is delighted to present Ali McGregor’s Big Family Gala – a special family-friendly, glamorous showcase of the Festival’s finest acts with jazzy beats, hilarious comedy and thrilling circus all backed by a live jazz band. For one afternoon only at the Forum Melbourne.
Exclusively for audiences aged 6-12, Comedy Club for Kids brings cheeky holiday fun, featuring a supersized variety showcase from stand-up and sketch to musical comedy and circus that’s sure to charm and captivate junior comedy fans!
The big kids (adults!) can take their kids aged 5+ and join ABC favourite Alan Brough (ABC TV’s Spicks and Specks) in Charlie and the War Against the Grannies, for a production that comes to life with shadow puppetry, live music and three really stinky farts.
From the unstoppable Dummies Corp, audiences are invited to join in the roaring laughter, set up camp and stampede into the jungle for an outlandish, circus filled extravaganza in Don’t Mess with the Dummies; or come join Rich and Matt in The Listies ROFLSHALBOWCO (Rolling On The Floor Laughing So Hard A Little Bit Of Wee Comes Out!) as they tackle the most terrifying tortuous family situation of all: BED TIME; see everyone’s favourite brick-tastic duo Maddy and Jimmy (from the rating smash-hit TV show LEGO Master Australia) in their very own comedy show Maddy and Jimmy The Brick of Destiny; or dive into a world where two cavemen lose their ability to fart in Farty Pants & Farty Bum.
If you can’t get to the Festival, have the kids entertained and spice up school holiday time at home with Comedy Club For Kids Online – a special one-off event suitable for ages 5+ where the whole family can enjoy some big laughs.
Individual show and event details:
THE (VERY) BIG LAUGH OUT
A line-up of the best physical and musical comedy acts at Fed Square and Melbourne Museum throughout the school holidays. And the best bit? It’s totally FREE!
Friday 2 April – Saturday 17 April, various times.
COMEDY CLUB FOR KIDS
Brings cheeky holiday fun and LOLS to kids aged 6-12. Featuring a supersized variety showcase from stand-up and sketch to musical comedy and circus, there’s something for everyone and lots of laughs to be had.
Saturday 3 April – Sunday 18 April, 12.30pm (no show on Mondays).
ALI MCGREGOR’S BIG FAMILY GALA
The whole family is invited to dress up and walk the red carpet at the Festival’s family-friendly gala performance. Hosted by Ali McGregor (Jazzamatazzi!) sample the Festival’s finest acts offering jazzy beats, hilarious comedy and thrilling circus all backed by a live jazz band!
Saturday 10 April, 4.30pm.
THE LISTIES ROFLSHALBOWCO (Rolling On The Floor Laughing So Hard A Little Bit Of Wee Comes Out!)
Back by Poopular demand, audiences are invited to join Rich and Matt for a comedy extravaganza jam packed with magical stupid fun, as they tackle the most terrifying tortuous family situation of all: BED TIME.
Saturday 3 April – Sunday 18 April, 11am (no show on Mondays).
ALAN BROUGH CHARLIE AND THE WAR AGAINST THE GRANNIES
Written by and starring Alan Brough (ABC TV’s Spicks and Specs) this production comes to life with shadow puppetry, live music and three really stinky farts. A rampaging musical comedy for children aged five and up!
April 14 – 17, various times.
DON’T MESS WITH THE DUMMIES
From the unstoppable Dummies Corp comes an all-new extraordinary adventure! Set up camp and stampede into the jungle for an outlandish, circus filled extravaganza that will leave young audiences and their grown-ups chuckling like a monkey and roaring for more.
Saturday 3 April – Sunday 18 April, 2.15pm (no show on Mondays & Tuesday 13 April).
MR SNOT BOTTOM 10 STINKY, SILLY YEARS
Star of the award-winning ‘Busy Bodies’ podcast and kids comedy hero Mr Snot Bottom brings a special snotty BEST OF his most ooeyiest, gooeyiest, slimiest songs and gruesomest gross-tactic gags in a roller-coaster of weirdness.
Saturday 17 April, 2.20pm
IMPROVILICIOUS THE IMPROVISED GUIDE TO SPOOKY STORIES
The biggest scaredy cats in improvised comedy turn scary suggestions into a spooktacular show with guaranteed goosebumps and giggles!
Saturday 3 April – Sunday 18 April, 1pm (no show on Mondays).
MADDY AND JIMMY THE BRINK OF DESTINY
See everyone’s favourite brick-tastic duo Maddy and Jimmy (from the rating smash-hit TV show LEGO Master Australia) in their very own comedy show, where they must complete ten super bricky (tricky) tasks in 45 minutes.
Saturday 3 April – Sunday 18 April, 11.15am (no show on Mondays).
FARTY PANTS & FARTY BUM
Two cavemen (who live in a wind-powered home) lose their ability to fart, and have to find new ways to make wind when their farts run out.
Saturday 27 March, 28 March, 2 – 4 April, 10 & 11 April, 17 & 18 April, 1pm.
CIRCUS
Step into a world of whimsical wonders where imaginations will soar like never before, in this completely re-imagined family circus spectacular! CIRCUS is the latest trailblazer in children’s entertainment.
Saturday 3 April – Sunday 18 April, 10.45am (no show on Mondays).
COMEDY CLUB FOR KIDS ONLINE
Gather the kids in your life on the couch and watch this special line-up of hosted by the The Listies with Josh Earl, Xavier Michelides & Grandma (Nikki Britton).
Appointment viewing on 1 April at 4pm and available from 2 April at 9am through Video On Demand.
The Melbourne International Comedy Festival runs from 24 March – 18 April, delivering COVIDSafe laughs and comedy good-times to Melburnians and the world, on stage and online.
To check show information and to buy tickets, visit comedyfestival.com.au
