Did You Hear the One About… Sunshine Coast Comedy Festival!
Lookin’ to laughin’ so much your sides hurt? Helen Flanagan suggests you’ll need a regimental diary to fit in all the internationally-renowned, weird, wacky wonderful and infamous comedians coming to a venue near you.
The mecca of side-splitting comedy where you’re assured of being aroused, entertained and exhausted, extends from Caloundra to Noosa Heads, Nambour to Mooloolaba, and more top venues in between such as bars, theatres and event centres to a luxury vessel, buses, breweries and an eco-tour boat.
In its third year, the Sunshine Coast Comedy Festival will run from Thursday 10 to Saturday 13 November, for three days and four nights of riveting raucousness with forty diverse shows featuring non-stop out-of-the-box hilarity, including two massive extravaganza events on opening night, at both NightQuarter and The J Noosa.
Is it a bird? Is it a plane? No, it’s Tommy Little flying around the land gathering huge laughs and confirmed as a shoo-in for the Festival. Nothing is off limits as he brings his outrageous real-life antics and foolish setbacks to life, and it’s definitely not his fault. He is proud to call himself Australia’s biggest dickhead and his show, Pretty Fly for a Dickhead displays his irreverent humour to a tee. Catch big Little at the Events Centre Caloundra and The J Noosa.
There’s no doubting the popularity of Cal Wilson, the queen of grand gestures aka screw-ups, who was asked to buy a dish brush so she bought 50 as a joke; or asking a friend to stay, not realising she would be in another city. In her frenetic, furious, crammed-with-laughs I’ve Gone to a Lot of Trouble, the children’s author, podcaster and regular on Spicks and Specks, and Have You Been Paying Attention?, explores better times, and worse. See Cal dish it out at Venue 114, Kawana and The J Noosa.
Australia’s favourite Venezuelan Ivan Aristeguieta of ‘don’t worry, be happy, papi!’ fame is like an obsessed cook. He throws together the ingredients of sharp humour, personal anecdotes, Australian impersonations and clever observations to produce a perfect comedic dish. With his vibrant, energetic brand of comedy, plus his trademark cheerful and naïve rejoicing in the troubles and joys of living in the lucky country, he has gathered a mass of fans. No worries, see happy Ivan at The J Noosa and Venue 114.
As Chopper, Australia’s funniest comedy character, Heath Franklin is a legend. With his own TV show, four live comedy specials, a two-time ARIA nominated, a Logie nomination and over 500,000 tickets sold worldwide, Chopper has nearly done it all. The actor, performer, improviser and writer behind the tatts and ‘stache is currently working on new TV and stage projects, is a highly sought-after corporate event speaker, whilst keeping his audiences in stitches with his standout show The Silencer. Chop-chop to Brouhaha, Solbar, Your Mates Brewhouse, Land & Sea and Eumundi’s Imperial Hotel for howls with Heath. Why not jump on a Craft Comedy Beer Tour for a few hours of craft beer, food and laughs ending with Chopper? It’s all on offer. Seriously.
Look out for familiar names on the bill of Strong Female Characters which showcases some of the country’s favourite comedic heavyweights. These not-to-be-taken-lightly bad girls with a sweet smile and a sucker punch will deliver an hour of rapid-fire, genius comedy. Like a Quentin Tarantino movie, you’ll leave feeling like you want to kick ass and smash ceilings with a 6-pack (just joking), from laughing so hard, you might gain some sexy new laughter lines to boot. The not-to-be-missed all-star girl line-up will whoop it up at the Imperial Hotel, Eumundi; Black Box Theatre, Nambour; and Venue 114, Kawana.
From the land of Peaky Blinders comes the return the Best o’ British. Nominated as Best Comedy Show at Perth’s Fringe World and widely touted as the most popular international showcase on the festival circuit, it will feature the most hilarious bits from the most hilarious Poms – award-winners Georgie Carroll, Rory Lowe and Dan Willis. Havin’ a laugh? No doubt the Best o’ British stand-up will be a festival favourite at The Caloundra Powerboat Club and Land & Sea Brewery in Noosa.
After sell-out seasons and 5-star reviews in the UK, Adelaide, Melbourne, Brisbane and an award-winning run at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, the cheeky and loud, black and proud, Aboriginal Comedy All Stars are home to bring huge belly laughs from the heart of their wide brown land. Starring Sean Choolburra (who you can also catch aboard the Spray of the Coral Coast for a Saltwater Indigenous Comedy Cruise), Kevin Kropinyeri, Andy Saunders and Steph Tisdell, their show draws on over 60,000 years of storytelling. It is unique, highly informative and a wildly-entertaining showcase of indigenous talent and culture, awash with dance, traditional music and of course is mega funny. Shrieks and snickers like no other at The Events Centre Caloundra, The J Noosa and Solbar, Maroochydore.
Did you know Jim Carrey landed his first stand-up gig at 15, Pete Davidson was 16, Woody Allen started stand-up while still a high schooler, and English -born Russell Brand known for his flamboyant, loquacious style and manner, made his stand-up debut at 19?
Well, all you Mums and Dads with wannabe comedy stars aged eight to twelve, wishing to slay ‘em in the aisles one day, here’s their chance. The Jenny Wynters’ Fully Made Up: The Completely Totally Utterly Made-Up Comedy Cabaret Spectacular Extravaganza has been created for kids – mostly. Designed as a brilliant kids comedy and cabaret show/workshop, it will be held on Saturday and Sunday during the festival. Stay tuned for the locations.
Let your imaginations go wild and your laughing gear around the Festival’s version of RAW, The Laughable Competition. Designed to give local open-mic comedians a chance to show off and impress an audience. There will be four heats with finalists looking for big laughs at Solbar. The winner will take home $500, plus along with the two runners-up will be invited to star in their own show The Laughable Comeback Tour, at the 2023 Sunshine Coast Comedy Festival.
Last laughs after a jam-packed, jaw-aching, bigger and better-than-ever comedy bender will be at the Closing Night Party at Solbar, the Festival Hub, on Sunday after the Laughable Competition Finale. There will be a spinning wheel of good times with all comedians in attendance on it. No schedule. No scripts. Good times amplified!
There are a few more surprise announcements to come and tickets are already selling quickly so don’t delay. You’ll be in tears if you do, and tears if you don’t.
Keep ahead of the game when more acts and excitement are announced: www.sunshinecoastcomedyfestival.com
Discover our TOP PICKS here!
WIN! WIN! WIN!
WIN one of FIVE double passes to the Opening Night Gala of the Sunshine Coast Comedy Festival! Entries close 6 November.
Opening Night Extravaganza – NightQuarter, Thursday 10 November
Come be star-struck and in stitches at this massive opening night extravaganza in Birtinya! With MC Sam Coward and a huge lineup of comedians including Ivan Aristeguieta, Heath Franklin’s Chopper, Rory Lowe, Georgie Carrol, Ryan Gallagher and Ting Lim!
ENTER TO WIN!
WIN SOME MORE!
WIN DOUBLE PASSES to some of the Top Shows at Sunshine Coast Comedy Festival! Entries close 6 November.
Opening Night Gala – The J Noosa, Thursday 10 November
Join MC Andy Saunders for a perfect taste test of the best the festival has to offer, with bite-sized belly laughs from World Class Comedians, in one of the Coast’s most beautiful seaside locales.
Ivan Aristeguieta – The J Noosa, Friday 11 November
Australia’s favourite Venezuelan is one Happy Papi, and with a spring in his step, he is back on stage where he belongs. Like a chorizo in a vegan burrito, happiness can be found in the most unexpected of places.
Cal Wilson – The J Noosa, Saturday 12 November
Cal Wilson is the queen of grand gestures and even grander screw-ups. Join her as she explores the times things went better and worse than she’d planned. She has gone to a lot of trouble.
Best O’ British – Land & Sea Brewery, Saturday 12 November
It wouldn’t be the Sunny Coast Comedy Fest if it didn’t include a line-up of the best the Mother Country discarded. Join host-with-the-most Dan Willis with absolute LEGENDS Rory Lowe and Georgie Carroll for an hour and a half of comedic genius like only the Poms know-how.
Aboriginal Comedy All-Stars – The J Noosa, Saturday 12 November
Starring Australia’s premier comedians Sean Choolburra, Jay Wymarra, Andy Saunders & Steph Tisdell. With sell-out seasons and 5-star reviews in the UK, Adelaide, Melbourne, Brisbane and beyond, the Allstars bring huge belly laughs from the heart of the wide brown land.
Final Night Party – Solbar, Sunday 13 November
Join the best festival talent for a huge night of laughs and wrap up the festival in style! Line-up coming soon!
