Ten Must-See Shows at the Brisbane Comedy Festival 2021
Various Venues
UPDATED 22/7/21: Due to current border restrictions, unfortunately, many of these shows have been postponed. Please contact your ticket provider or the venue for more information on dates.
It’s the funniest time of the year, with all your favourites and some new comedy crushes descending on Brisbane.
Once again Must-Do Brisbane are making your life easier by compiling the Top Ten funniest and must-see shows of the Brisbane Comedy Festival.
Anne Edmonds & Lloyd Langford – Business With Pleasure
Sat 17 July – The Tivoli
After spending a large part of 2020 in a Melbourne lockdown together, Anne and Lloyd have decided now is the time to tour together. There’ll be jokes, stories, gossip and quite possibly the thrilling spectacle of the onstage breakdown of their relationship.
Anne Edmonds is uncompromising, fearless and hilarious. Her Amazon Prime Stand up Special has been making people cry from laughter.
“Rolling with the confidence and energy of a prize fighter.” ★★★★ Herald Sun
Lloyd is making his mark in Australia becoming a fan favourite on Have You Been Paying Attention?.
“Brilliant, charming, understated.” The Independent
Cal Wilson – Let’s Try That Again
21 – 25 July – Brisbane Powerhouse
Other people learnt new skills over lockdown, Cal watched every season of Love It or List It, Vancouver, which means she’s perfectly equipped to value any house in Canada, ten years ago.
After a year of hunkering down in Victoria, Cal’s thrilled to be in a different state of mind, and a different actual state.
As seen on her Netflix special Things I’ve Thought, Out Loud, Channel 10’s Have You Been Paying Attention? and Hughesy, We Have A Problem.
“Masterful… her audience dissolved in helpless puddles formed from their tears of mirth.” ★★★★★ Edinburgh Evening News
“From the moment Cal appears on stage, she has us in the palm of her hand.” ★★★★★ The Advertiser
Tom Ballard – We Are All In This
3-8 August – Brisbane Powerhouse
In this time of fire, plague and the stupid internet, “we” are “all” “in this” “together” (?).
In 2019, Tom sold out shows all over the world, received critical acclaim and annoyed a lot of Baby Boomers on Facebook. In 2020, he took some time off and wrote a book.
Now, he has a brand-new show full of jokes about our cooked planet, the bad people in power and his sex life. Plus some outrage
“[Ballard] Has a frankly ridiculous ability to hit all his marks and deftly detonate every punchline.” ★★★★½ The Age, 2021
“The show is brave, biting, ballsy and ultimately, brilliant.” ★★★★★Time Out, 2021
Dave Thornton – Novel Problems
30 & 31 July – The Tivoli
“What have you been up to?” That pesky question that has stumped everyone the last 12 months.
Where do you start? Everything… nothing… and whatever can be found in between. This is an hour of all that stuff with lots of jokes AND you’re out of the house! From where I’m standing that’s a win/win.
Last year, everyone told me they needed a laugh, and guess what? I need an audience, so this really could work out well for all of us.
As seen on The Project, Just For Laughs and Hughesy, We Have A Problem.
“A quick and self-deprecating wit.” The Age
“Slick, funny… devastatingly effective.” Chortle (UK)
Dilruk Jayasinha – Back In Brisness
15-18 July – Brisbane Powerhouse
After last year’s global gap year, Logie winning comedian Dilruk Jayasinha is back in Brisbane!
He’s performed sold-out shows around the country and the world and filmed a stand-up special for Amazon Prime.
As seen on Utopia and Have You Been Paying Attention?
Nath Valvo – Chatty Cathy
27-31 July – Brisbane Powerhouse
Brisbane! Your favourite Chatty Cathy is back with a brand-new hour. Nath has missed our adoring attention and we’ve missed his high kicks.
Come witness this five-star comic rip into fitbits, relationships, baby showers and people that make good life choices.
Nath's shows sell out quickly – book today!
“Truly is a must-see.” ★★★★★ The Age
“I laughed so hard I was worried I’d pass out.” ★★★★★ Broadway Baby (UK)
“A sensationally entertaining hour.” ★★★★½ Herald Sun
"Gets better and better.” ★★★★ The Scotsman (UK)
Damien Power – Regret Man
20-25 July – Brisbane Powerhouse
In the last couple of years Australian comedian Damien Power has collected rave reviews, award nominations and the respect of his peers. What more do you people want?!
He has been nominated for the Melbourne Comedy Festival Award three times, won the Director’s Choice Award, Pinder Prize and been nominated for the Helpmann’s Best Comedy Performer in 2019.
This year Damien’s throwing out the rule book, experimenting with new material, old material and everything in between. Don’t worry – you are in the hands of a master. He won’t let you down.
“He’s cooked up his best show in half a decade.” ★★★★½ The Age, 2021
“His hilarious gut punches remain a marvel to behold.” ★★★★ Chortle, 2021
Geraldine Hickey – Live
Sat 31 July – The Tivoli
Deadpan and bang on. Smart, observational comedy has never been so funny and frank.
A stalwart of the Australian comedy scene, Geraldine has appeared on The Project, Tonightly with Tom Ballard, Have You Been Paying Attention? and Hughesy, We Have a Problem.
Winner – Melbourne Comedy Festival Award 2021
Winner – Piece of Wood Award, Melbourne Comedy Festival 2019
Nominee – Melbourne Comedy Festival Award 2019
"Crowd heaving back and forth on their seats." ★★★★★ The Age, 2021
“High reward comedy.” ★★★★★ Beat, 2021
"Hickey provides an inimitably good time." ★★★★ Chortle, 2021
Lloyd Langford – Jazzed
15-18 July – Brisbane Powerhouse
Due to the worldwide pandemic and awaiting the results of a partnership visa, Welsh comedian Lloyd Langford is stuck in Australia. But don’t worry, he is absolutely jazzed to be here.
Over the past 12 months, he has really had his patience tested (and also his sperm). Please expect jokes, stories, gripes and gossip.
As seen on Have You Been Paying Attention?, Q.I., Comedy Up Late and Spicks and Specks.
“A wonderfully remorseless stream of pithy gags, delivered in an unshowy south Wales drawl. One to look out for.” The Guardian
“Lloyd Langford is from Wales but lives in an incredible and sometimes frightening world of sexual experimentation.” Metro New Zealand
Mel Buttle – Here If You Need
27 July - 1 August – Brisbane Powerhouse
Huddle up and place your bets on this brand-new show by Brisbane’s own, Mel Buttle.
This is a show for anyone who’s ever played sport, gone to the gym, and still woken up as a size 14.
Mel has had a go at playing softball, touch footy, hockey and AFL, all at intermediate levels but rest assured her comedy is grand final worthy.
Sit on the sidelines and soak in one of comedy’s top players.
Full credit to Mel who’s torn up the blindside of comedy appearing on The Great Australian Bake Off, Hughesy We Have A Problem and I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here!.
“Buttle’s dry critique of the perils of life has the audience in hysterics.” ★★★★ The Age
Peter Helliar – Loopy
Fri 23 July – The Tivoli
A stranger on a train said to Pete recently that “everything you believe is true and the rest is bullshit... and vice versa.” Yep, the world is loopy. We should talk about it.
As seen on Channel 10’s The Project and How to Stay Married.
“His quick wit and self-deprecating comic style has the audience in stitches.” ★★★★½ The Advertiser
See everyone funny at the Brisbane Comedy Festival! Tickets book fast so get in quick to avoid being disappointed!
Brisbane Comedy Festival is a valued partner of Must Do Brisbane
