Each year close to 1000 amateur comedians compete in the Melbourne International Comedy Festival’s Raw Comedy competition. Getting past a heat is an accomplishment, but winning a State Final to get into Raw Comedy National Final is incredible. And Hard Knock Knocks graduates have done just that. Six times! Stella Wu – Graduated May 2023 Stella Wu graduated from the …
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. …
If you’re a lover of all things comedy, then you’re very likely to enjoy ‘This Week in Comedy‘. Or not. You do you. This brand new podcast, hosted by comedy tragics Lily Geddes and Morry Morgan, looks at the then, now, and future of all things comedy. Think films, TV and theatre to stand-up, improv and animation. The podcast also …
Are you thinking to enter Raw Comedy 2026? Registrations are now open, so click here. Got no idea what Raw Comedy is? Well, what you should know is that Raw Comedy is Australia’s largest amateur comedy competition for, well, raw comedians. And by ‘raw’ the competition’s organisers mean you’ve not earned more than $500 total from comedy – ever. In …
Alf is a television reporter, so she’s not afraid of being the focus of attention. The next step for her was to try stand up comedy, and as you can see from the video below, she absolutely nailed it on stage! Performed alongside international comedy legend Arj Barker, bringing her charisma, storytelling skills, and sharp wit to the mic, earning …
Lexy is a dynamic public speaker and natural on stage, known for blending humour, warmth, and insight to captivate audiences. Having completed the Hard Knock Knocks Comedy School course in September with guidance from celebrity comedian and fellow Brit Jeff Green, she brings both professional polish and comedic timing to every performance. As you can see from this graduation performance …
You’ve completed the five night stand-up comedy course, now grab the t-shirt.
Adelaide-born Kosta came to Melbourne to fill a gay quota. Don’t believe us? Watch his set below. This was Kosta’s very first stand-up comedy set, and as you will see, both the audience AND he are having a great time. Kosta is now past of the Hard Knock Knocks alumni, and so his stand-up set will continue to evolve and …
(Updated 6 August, 2025) If you’re looking for a room in which to perform as an open mic comedian, be warned. Not all rooms offer the same environment. Some are merely the corner of a pub. Others have no lighting, literally forcing you perform in the dark. So to help here’s a breakdown of Melbourne open mic (and curated) rooms …
British comedian Jimmy Carr hasn’t minced his words when he told interviewer Chris Williamson that stand-up comedy should be taught in schools AND that it’s more relevant than music! Carr emphasised that stand-up comedy isn’t just about making people laugh, but rather it is a powerful tool for developing important life skills. “Think about what it’s about. It’s about verbal …
