You may have heard that over the first week of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, British sports commentator Bob Ballard was dismissed by Eurosport for a comment directed at the Australian women’s swimming team. The remark? “Well, the women just finishing off. You know what women are like, hanging around, you know, doing their makeup.” Eurosport was quick to react …
The National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) in Australia is designed to provide individuals with disabilities the support they need to achieve their dreams and personal goals, to improve their quality of life. But who says goals have to be ‘serious’? Enter the Hard Knock Knocks comedy school, where NDIS participants can channel their inner comedians, boost their confidence, and transform …
Hard Knock Knocks alumni, Laurence Driscoll, has been nominated for ‘Best Newcomer‘ at the 2024 Melbourne International Comedy Festival. The two-time RAW Comedy Victorian State Finalist and So You Think You’re Funny Edinburgh semi-finalist performed a full run of his ‘The Prodigay Son’ (notice the pun?) show. Veteran comedian, Claire Hooper, helped produce the show. Laurence Driscoll’s debut solo show …
Three alumni of the Hard Knock Knocks comedy school have beaten close to a thousand amateur comedians to compete in the National Raw Comedy final at the Melbourne Town Hall on April 14, 2024. The three were chosen alongside nine others selected from all of Australia’s States and Territories, making up the final 12. What’s incredible is the speed at …
Before they started digging the Metro Tunnel, there was a statue of Burke and Wills at the corner of Collins and Swanston Streets. It was right next to the Melbourne Town Hall, the centre of the Melbourne International Comedy Festival and arguably the stand-up comedy centre of Australia. Aussie Schadenfreude Burke and Wills are famous for not only going where no …
Some of the Australia’s funniest stand-up comedians coach the Hard Knock Knocks comedy courses around Australia. Actually, that’s not entirely true. We also have funny Brits (Jeff Green and Glynn Nicholas), Japanese (Mayumi Nobetsu) and did you know that Greg Fleet is actually an American?! These hilarious comics provide advice, give feedback, and share their comedic journeys. They also perform …
Australia is home to some stellar dark comedians. In fact, one of the most popular shows at the Melbourne International Comedy Festival is the Dark Comedy Special. But before we get into our top five dark comedians, however, let’s answer the question, “What is dark comedy?” As a somewhat controversial topic, it is often misunderstood. What is dark comedy? Mental …
Google the term ‘stand-up comedy clubs’ and you’ll be presented with images of comedians in front of red curtains and brick walls. But why? Why are these backdrops so ubiquitous with the comedy industry? Quite simply, it’s the combination of utility and humble beginnings. Red Curtains Stand-up comedy originates from the stages of Vaudeville. Borrowed from the French and modified …
The Melbourne International Comedy Festival dates for 2024 have been announced. They are Wednesday March 27 until Sunday April 21. Established in 1987, the Melbourne International Comedy Festival ranks among the world’s top three comedy festivals, alongside the Edinburgh Festival Fringe and Montreal’s Just for Laughs Festival. Each autumn, this annual event takes over Melbourne, Australia’s comedy capital, with an …
