Meet Five Comedians Making Their Solo Debut At This Year’s Melbourne Comedy Festival
"I promise to keep your wife's name out of my mouth. Unless her name is Carol. I have a joke about Carols."
We’re just going to say this: The Melbourne International Comedy Festival (MICF) is the best time of the year. For people in Melbourne, obviously. Who like comedy.
The weather is just that bit cooler, that long Easter weekend is just around the corner, and a collective exhale can be felt around the city; as crowds pack themselves into the tiny corners of the CBD to witness what is generally a person with a microphone, saying their piece, and hopefully making them laugh.
And for the first time since 2019, the festival looks more like it used to, with a spate of famous international comics performing alongside the up and comers. And look: while we love international stalwarts like David O’Doherty as much as the next person, any festival aficionado will tell you that the real joy is to be found in seeing an emerging comedian in full flight.
We chatted to five comedians making their solo debut at this year’s festival about how they’re doing after this week’s festival opening, if COVID has changed comedy, and how likely it is that an audience member will wallop them in the face.
Andrew Portelli, Tough Guy
Hey, Andrew! You’ve just kicked off your first ever solo show at MICF. How are you feeling?
Honestly? I feel relieved. It’s been gestating for so long, and I’ve had swollen ankles, and morning sickness, and mood swings, and weird cravings, and now — to finally push it out into the world, so people can look at it? That’s a great feeling. I feel tired and proud. My hair is matted against my forehead, I’m starving, and I can’t wait for people to see my baby (the show). But if you do want to see it you need to be vaccinated (COVID-19, whooping cough, etc.).
It’s been a rough couple of years for comics. How do you think comedy has changed in that time?
In my opinion, comedy hasn’t changed and will never change. But I think comics have changed. Before COVID, everyone I knew was 100 percent focused on live performance. COVID (caused by lab leak???) forced us to put stuff online (5G???) and think about how to stay connected to audiences beyond just doing spots every night (mailing lists???). Also, everyone’s funnier now because they’re depressed.
What comedians inspire you?
Jon Cruickshank right now, Nick Cody, and Anne Edmonds when I first moved to Melbourne. I love Nate Bargatze, Ali Wong, Bill Burr.
Are there any fellow comics you’re excited to see at the festival?
I have a feeling Dan Rath’s show will be great. He is definitely vaccinated by the way. I’ve seen early versions of Bronwyn Kuss and Luka Muller’s shows and they were phenomenal, so I’m excited to see those in front of a big crowd. I also can’t wait to see Concetta Caristo (Italian) and Ben Kochan (???). I did a bunch of gigs on the Gold Coast (lol) with Brett Blake and he was majestic. And Lauren Bonner who I feel is my kindred spirit comedically just in terms of being a compelling mix of brains and beauty.
On a scale of one to 10, just how likely is it that you’re going to get slapped?
I actually think I radiate a gentleness and calm that would soothe any attacker? So if someone tried to storm the stage they would quickly lose interest in slapping me and instead reflect on the sweet moments in life, like their mother tucking them in, or the first time they fell in love. At the same, I don’t want to encourage people to try to assault me in order to gain the benefit of my psychic field? But we could talk after the show if you like, about your life and what inspires you. So overall, three.
Book tickets to Andrew’s show here.
Urvi Majumdar, Urvi Went To An All Girls School
Hey, Urvi! You’re doing your first solo show at MICF this year. Congratulations! How are you feeling?
Thank you! The main thing I’m feeling is digestive issues, it’s like a never-ending butterfly in your stomach but that’s like cute right?? I am very excited for this show though — mainly because it’s a whole 50 minutes of oversharing, which is my favourite pastime.
I am so, so obsessed with the show PEN15 and my show is like a homage to theirs. Apart from that, I’ve gotten to work with an amazing team including my producer Heidi Pietzner and Dramaturg Charlie Lewin so I’ve been very supported through the highs and lows!
It’s been a rough couple of years for comics. How do you think comedy has changed in that time?
I think people are able to appreciate live entertainment more, now that it’s back. I think we’ve all sat through too many awkward AF zooms so we’re very happy comedians are back on stage rather than behind a screen. At the same time, the pandemic has highlighted the issue of accessibility which still exists for many live venues. Zoom made it possible for many different people with varying access needs to experience the arts which is something we must learn from and carry on into the present and future.
Who are your inspirations?
Oh, there’s so many! The whole reason I started doing stand-up was that I was sick of crying over a break-up and watching funny female comedians on YouTube back in the day, inspired me to not take things so seriously and laugh at the many absurdities, contradictions and paradoxes we have to live with every day.
I’m inspired by Anne Edmonds, Geraldine Hickey, Becky Lucas and many more women in the Australian comedy scene. I’m also always in awe of performers who bring so much energy to their performances and transport us to another world — something I hope I’m working on right now (although I do have a monotone, so it’s hard). I’m always blown away by people like The Hot Department, Sam Campbell, and The Beastie Girls.
Are there any fellow comics you’re excited to see at the festival?
Yes! I can’t wait to see Jordan Barr, Comedy Zone, Raewyn Pickering, Lewis Dowell and Ash Greblo, Travelling Sisters, Andrew Portelli, Nat Harris, Hannah Camilerri, Lauren Bonner, Charlie Lewin, Concetta Caristo, Pete Jones, Luka Muller, Bronwyn Kuss, Grace Jarvis, Cait Johnson, Oliver Coleman, Rowan Thambar, Suren Jayemanne, Lewis Garnham, the list GOES ON AND ON, I’m sure I’ve missed people but basically, there are so many great shows this year, get to as many as you possibly can! This is your time to OD on comedy.
On a scale of one to 10, how likely is it that you’re going to get slapped?
Probably like an 11, because my show is all about high school (where slaps naturally live) and also I just wanted to say 11 because it’s my lucky number. Deal with it!
Book tickets to Urvi’s show here.
Michele Da Costa, Like A Virgo
Hi, Michele! You’ve just kicked off your first ever solo show at MICF. How are you feeling?
Exhilarated! And very tired. I can’t believe I pulled it off! And I’m very happy with how the show is coming along. I’m excited to see how different the last performance will be from the first, as I’ll surely be learning a lot along the way. I’ve put my heart and soul into this show and it’s incredible to see it coming to life. It’s a lot of hard work but totally worth it!
It’s been a rough couple of years for comics. How do you think comedy has changed in that time?
Comedy certainly suffered a lot in the past couple of years. I think the main hurdle at the moment is the loss in audience numbers, a lot of people are still not feeling comfortable going out to watch live shows — and fair enough, too. I also think it’s been especially hard for new comics as opportunities to go around networking and getting visibility were few and far between in that time. There are comics that I remember seeing before 2020 that I haven’t seen since, I think there’s been a big loss of talent too. Fingers crossed they come back!
What comedians inspire you?
So many! I always struggle with this question. I’ll just list some as they come to my head: Felicity Ward, Rose Matafeo, Mike Birbiglia, James Acaster, Hannah Gadsby… the list goes on.
Who are the comics you’re excited to see at the festival?
Again, so many! Wish I could go see Unbridled by Lucy Best, Nicky Barry and Justine Sless but it clashes with mine. Nicky Barry is also doing her first solo show, which I’m excited to see. I’ll start listing names again: Anna Piper Scott, Oliver Coleman, Breast of the Fest, Harry Morrissey, Jaxson Garni and Carmelo Costa, Sunanda… The list goes on too, I’d love to see as many as I can!
On a scale of 1 to 10, how likely is it that you’re going to get slapped?
I was going to say 1 because I don’t think my material is offensive, but it is a bit naughty. So maybe a 3.
Book tickets to Michele’s show here.
Vidya Rajan, Respawn
Hey, Vidya! You’re about to kick off your first-ever MICF solo show! How are you feeling?
Excited and nervous like everyone else! A debut solo show can feel like a lot of pressure to announce your voice to the world, but I’m trying not to think too much about that. I think the show has ended up as something that’s silly and a bit cooked while also looking at culture, life and death in my own way — which is the most you can hope for I think!
It’s been a rough couple of years for comics. How do you think comedy has changed in that time?
I think it has got more expansive actually. Definitely in the pandemic, taking to the internet I found an audience for my work I just couldn’t in the usual comedy rooms till that point. And I think a lot of other “hashtag diverse” comics found that too. I also think the absurdity and character-based comedy of online humour has filtered its way into a more mainstream space — there are a lot more surreal and sketch comedy nights in the local scene at the moment!
What comedians inspire you?
I love a lot of the comedians coming out of the US at the moment who I feel a shared vibe with — Patti Harrison, Cat Cohen, and just everyone from I Think You Should Leave. I discovered James Acaster last year (late to the party) and was blown away.
Are there any fellow comics you’re excited to see at the festival?
Too many to name! I’m going to break into Myspace Top 8 sweats if I leave anyone out, so I’m going to choose people I don’t know but have heard good things about and want to see: Rosie Piper, Guy Montgomery, Tom Cashman, Alex Hines, and Phil Wang.
On a scale of one to 10, just how likely is it that you’re going to get slapped?
There is no chance I’m getting slapped, but there is an opportunity for a little bit of audience interaction that some might call “cathartic”, involves too many opinions, and that leaves me just as humbled as Chris Rock (but like in a fun consensual way). That’s all I can say!
Book tickets to Vidya’s show here.
Bronwyn Kuss, Any Goss?
Hi, Brownyn! You’re about to do your first solo MICF show. Congratulations! How are you feeling?
Excited and terrified in equal measure. I can’t wait for those feelings to turn into exhaustion as the festival goes on. Exhaustion seems more manageable.
What comedians inspire you?
Judith Lucy and Denise Scott. I want to be so funny I get to do split bills again.
Are there any fellow comics you’re excited to see at the festival?
So many! I’m excited for Urvi Majumdar, Grace Jarvis, Andrew Portelli, Luka Muller, Peter Jones, and Jordan Barr.
On a scale of one to 10, how likely is it that you’re going to get slapped?
One — I promise I will keep your wife’s name out of my mouth. Unless her name is Carol, I have a joke about Carols.