Anoushka performed her debut stand-up comedy set after joining Hard Knock Knocks Comedy School’s May comedy course, and as you can see, she absolutely owned the moment. Sharp, warm and confidently herself, Anoushka quickly connected with the audience. She spent five nights learning the fundamentals of stand-up, from writing jokes and shaping stories to stagecraft, timing and delivery. A particularly …
The Melbourne International Comedy Festival has a very large hole to fill, and it needs filling by the end of August 2026. Susan Provan AO, who has led the Festival since 1995, has stepped down after more than three decades at the top. Under Provan’s leadership, the Melbourne International Comedy Festival became one of the biggest comedy events in the …
Australia’s comedy related podcast scene is full of sharp satire, backstage stories, chaotic banter and comedians making each other laugh. Here are ten local shows worth checking out, in alphabetical order. 1. Aunty Donna Podcast Hosts: Mark Samual Bonanno, Broden Kelly and Zachary RuaneIf you like comedy that feels like it has escaped from a very silly theatre rehearsal, this …
(Updated June 16, 2026) Not all rooms are ‘open mic’. Many are curated, meaning you need to have your name ‘on the bill’ days or even weeks before getting up. So reach out (probably via Facebook) before popping down to the following comedy rooms and expecting to perform your ‘tight five‘. Or better still, create your own open mic comedy …
After 10 years, and well over 800 graduates, we are confident that there are three types of people who do the Hard Knock Knocks Comedy Course: keynote speakers, bucket list tickers, and comedians of the future. So which one are you? Keynote speakers Fear drives one of the most common types of stand-up comedy student. Whether it’s an upcoming ‘best …
At the 2026 Raw Comedy National Finals in Melbourne on April 12, two of the final 13 performers were musical. Both Brandon Duff of NSW and Mae McCubbin of Victoria performed musical numbers as part of their sets. And while they didn’t take home the coveted prize, they still outperformed more than 900 competitors in Australia’s largest amateur stand-up comedy …
Last night on April 12, 2026, the Hard Knock Knocks alumni returned to the Raw Comedy spotlight. At the grand stage of the Melbourne International Comedy Festival, three graduates of Hard Knock Knocks Comedy School have once again proven the training ground’s growing influence on Australia’s stand-up scene. Performing at the Melbourne Town Hall on April 12 as part of …
South African born Charné performed her debut stand-up comedy performance at the Hard Knock Knocks Comedy School in February, and as you can see she nailed it. Witty, sassy with humility to self criticise, Charné quickly won over the audience, becoming a favourite for the night. Charné perfomed alongside comedy greats, Bradford Oakes and Dave O’Neil, as well as returning …
Melbourne’s comedy calendar is about to add a new kind of headline. Not a gala. Not a late night showcase. But a serious industry gathering for the people who make comedy happen. The Business of Comedy Conference will run from Thursday 16 to Saturday 18 April 2026 at Crowne Plaza Melbourne, timed to coincide with the Melbourne International Comedy Festival. …
