Daniel Herborn
With a deluge of decidedly unfunny headlines upon us, the Sydney Comedy Festival has arrived at just the right time. It’s bigger than ever this year, with more than 400 shows representing every conceivable strand of comedy.
Whether you want a sure thing or an educated gamble, classic stand-up or something more exotic, we’ve got you covered with our recommendations.
Bankers: Shows that guarantee laughs and a good night out
Lou Wall
While they’re nobody’s idea of a safe comic, Lou Wall’s hot streak in recent years – including the modern classic The Bisexual’s Lament, a previous winner of the top prize at this festival – has made them a must-see for anyone interested in the possibilities of audiovisual comedy. Combining lo-fi rap, memes, sharp-edged stand-up and video editing skills into a singular vision of their extremely online world, Wall has levelled up their multimedia creations in recent years, incorporating moving personal storytelling into their work.
Where are all the Tall Grandmas?, Grand Electric, April 26
Geraldine Hickey
A performer completely at ease with her minimalist style, Geraldine Hickey has spent years fine-tuning her craft and has few peers for long-form storytelling. She does a lot with a little, and her slyly amused facial expressions and pregnant pauses add nuance and laughs to each vignette. Hickey’s most recent show, Meander, was an ode to aimless wandering, quietly subversive in its rejection of hustle culture. This time around, she’s telling the tale of her recent breast reduction surgery. Expect something equally warm and hilarious.
A Weight Off My Chest, Grand Electric, May 2-3
Aboriginal Comedy All-Stars
There’s something for everyone in this long-running group show. This year, the rotating cast includes the cabaret stylings of Jay Wymarra, who describes himself as “part Torres Strait Islander and part queer wizard”, and the slick observational comedy of Andy Saunders. Kevin Kropinyeri brings a veteran’s nous for comic storytelling, while Sean Choolburra is another old hand, sometimes incorporating his multiple other talents, including dance and didgeridoo, into his sets. The warm and personable Janty Blair, a former midwife, has made waves in comedy after only taking it up in her 50s, while Elaine Crombie, also an actor (Top End Bub), brought her debut full-length show to festivals this year, reflecting on family and grief.
Factory Theatre, May 7 and Bondi Pavilion, May 8
Your next faves: You may not know them yet, but we think you’ll love them
AJ Lamarque
One of the Sydney scene’s up-and-comers, Lamarque is a cheeky and charming presence on stage. His work has trodden a mostly autobiographical path, covering his identity as a mixed-race queer man and exploring the nuances of the gay cruising scene. This year, he’s changing tack with a deep dive into Egyptology, shedding light on the pyramid-building, spell-casting society he fell in love with during a semester abroad. Expect to laugh as you learn.
A Beginner’s Guide to Ancient Egypt, Enmore Theatre, May 14-15
Bronwyn Kuss
There are deadpan comedians and then there’s Bronwyn Kuss, a stand-up whose delivery is as flat as roadkill. It’s a stylistic choice that works perfectly for her persona – perpetually unimpressed, though quietly amused by life’s little oddities. Her writing is darkly clever and with her profile growing through spots on Sam Pang Tonight and The Weekly with Charlie Pickering, she’s moving towards a stardom towards which she’ll inevitably be indifferent.
Bronwyn & Sons, Enmore Theatre, May 9-10
Anisa Nandaula
You may be one of the millions who have seen her on TikTok, but on stage for an hour-long show is where Anisa Nandaula really shines. With a confident presence that belies the fact this is just her second show and a control of tone developed during her time as an award-winning slam poet, the Ugandan-Australian comic is fast becoming a hot ticket. Her new hour features stories of her hilariously matter-of-fact father and includes more of the deft, playfully charged crowd work that has been such a hit online.
No Small Talk, Comedy Store, May 16-17
Genius or car crash? Perhaps not for everyone, but may be your new favourite
Daniel Kitson
The last time Daniel Kitson visited for work-in-progress shows, he ranged across stream-of-consciousness monologues, observations on the minutiae of life and a memorable digression on why describing yourself as a “hot mess” is just a euphemistic way of saying “I’m a sexy dickhead!” These off-the-cuff shows aren’t the ideal introduction to Kitson’s lyrical genius and won’t be the elaborately constructed masterpieces he’s done in the past. On the other hand, he’s an incomparable genius of stand-up. Probably worth a punt.
Work in Progress, Manning Bar, April 21-24
IKEA Wars
Have you ever failed at making a FJÄLLBO? Been bested by a BESTÅ? Then you may sympathise with the comedians competing in IKEA Wars, who race each other to assemble the famously tricky Swedish furniture. This live game show has become a popular fixture across fringe and comedy festivals, with host Kieran Bullock also introducing “sabotages” mid-game to ramp up the difficulty level. Offering the opportunity to see familiar performers pushed out of their comfort zone, it’s an ideal comic palate-cleanser.
Bondi Pavilion, May 7-8
David Correos
You never quite know what you’re going to get from this lovable Kiwi oddball, but you can rest assured it won’t be boring. Bringing the same boisterous energy and disdain for convention that made him such a memorable contestant on Taskmaster New Zealand, his act can veer across pranks and costume changes to electronic music and inventive prop comedy. Correos has mellowed somewhat in recent years, though that’s a relative term for a comic who used to shovel cat food into his face on stage.
Touching My Active Mind, Comedy Store, April 25
Sick of stand-up? The shows to try for something different
Con Coutis
Few comics make such innovative use of surround sound as Con Coutis. An unusual and interactive hybrid of one-man action film, technical wizardry and physical comedy, his latest hour sees Coutis battling forgotten streamer Qubi, who is scheming to “turn the world vertical”. Coming across as a kind of budget James Bond, with his wiry physique and playful smirk, Coutis fights invisible baddies and escapes danger, all armed with little more than a controller to orchestrate his array of sound cues and a little help from his audience.
Joke Protocol, Factory Theatre, May 13-15
Nikki Britton
One of the most gregarious comedians around, Nikki Britton is bringing two shows to the festival this year, an hour of autobiographical stand-up and this intriguing concept, a “basic, low-impact, zero-pressure dance aerobics class meets stand-up show” that also includes the opportunity to workshop some more realistic fitspiration maxims. Grab your best leotard and leg warmers, and be assured: “your drink bottle will NOT be sniffed on entry”.
Not Your Nan’s Aerobics, Grand Electric, May 9
Hot Department
Sketch duo Hot Department are the real freaky deal. The latest hour from these theatre-kids-gone-wild bounces from impressions of Liberal voters to frenetic musical interludes. Then there’s an encounter between Barbie and a rival doll that swerves into B-movie horror territory, a private moment between two footballers (who definitely aren’t gay) and even some stand-up, albeit performed without punchlines and where heckling is welcomed. With some hair-raising audience interaction, it’s one for anyone seeking late-night chaos.
Amalgamation, Factory Theatre, April 29-May 1
