Learn stand-up comedy in Melbourne with Dave Hughes

July 20 – 24, 2025

Limerick Arms Hotel, 364 Clarendon St,
South Melbourne

SOLD OUT!

(Until course starts)

Learn stand-up comedy in Melbourne over 5-evenings from Sunday to Thursday, 6.30 pm to 9.30 pm, from July 20 to 24, 2025. You’ll get the Hard Knock Knocks comedy manual, our complementary online course, video of your graduating performance, professional headshots for future marketing, and loads of one-on-one coaching from our resident comedy coach, Brad Oakes, our returning alumnus, Laurence Driscoll, and celebrity comedian, Dave Hughes!

PRICES:

Student and Concession – $500 + GST

Early Bird – $600 + GST (before July 13 only)

Bring-a-Mate-Rate – $900 + GST (2 people)

Full Fee – $800 + GST

Pre-Course: Online course access

Access the entire Hard Knock Knocks stand-up comedy curriculum ahead of the face-to-face course via your phone or PC. Narrated by the legendary comedian Greg Fleet, this online course includes videos examples, audio advice, activities and feedback to ensure you don't feel like a noob on day one. Learn more by clicking here.

Day 1: Sunday - The Basics, Finding Yourself, Joke Structure and Preparation

Get introduced to the basics of stand-up comedy and the jargon of the comedic industry before jumping into the deep end with your very own mini comedy set. Then, it's time to learn the 'Normal-Normal-Twist' technique, and developing your own original jokes, before trialling them on stage and giving them a polish.

Day 2: Monday - Generating Content and Building Confidence

Learn to gauge your audience and how to recognise and manage taboo topics while learning confidence building/fear smashing techniques. You’ll also get input on your set from our guest comedian, Dave Hughes, meet the other Hard Knock Knocks alumni and develop more of your original material.

Day 3: Tuesday - Delivery and Controlling a Room

Learn to write a strong open to your comedy set. Tonight students will also have the opportunity to refine some of their own writing, and learn about the open mic circuit, the Australian comedy festivals, such as Adelaide Fringe and Melbourne International Comedy Festivals, as well as life after graduation, with a visit from our returning alumnus, Laurence Driscoll.

Day 4: Wednesday - The Close, Graduation Preparation and Photo Headshots

School of Hard Knock Knocks graduates headshots

Students receive portrait head and body shots.

Closing your set strong is this night's goal, as well as putting the extra polish on tomorrow night's graduation performance. You'll also model for professional headshots, that are vital for comedy event posters or even acting jobs!

Day 5: Thursday - Graduation Night and Performance

The moment you have been working toward! Perform your stand-up comedy routine in front of family and friends, conquer your fears and perform alongside three professional stand-up comedians. Watch previous graduation videos by clicking here.

Learn stand-up comedy in Melbourne this July with Dave Hughes

    
 
 
        
   Mark Campbell 
 October 7, 2026.
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google.  If you are in anyway inclined to try stand-up, just as a once-off bucketlist situation, or maybe as a potential new hobby/life passion, this is the way to do it. The course is perfectly laid out, just long enough to pick up some pivotal pointers and guidance, but not long enough you lose your nerve.

All under the watchful and eye and thoughtful guidance of people who know it, because they do it.

Something you will never forget for the rest of your days, and who knows it may unlock something in you that changes you. It has me.
   Posted on Google  
 
 
 
       
   Nadia Chau 
 September 25, 2026.
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google.  Learning stand up at Hard Knock Knocks was such an amazing experience and I highly recommend giving it a go, whether it is a bucket list item or a foot in the door to the world of stand up. All the coaches, Brad, Morry, and Stig were super encouraging and welcoming. They gave us all so much amazing advice through this 5 day course and at first. Learning about the keystones and the joke structure for normal-normal twist makes such a huge difference to how a joke lands, will keep that in mind for the future. Thanks team for the great experience!
   Posted on Google  
 
 
 
       
   Duncan Mackay 
 August 6, 2026.
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google.  So glad I gave this a crack! Morry, Brad and Lily are absolute legends, using their powers to transmogrify a group of funny, super-interesting people into comedians. Great bunch of people who I'm missing already, keen to do some more of this. For anyone thinking of this, just do it - it's bloody great fun and you'll learn a lot!
   Posted on Google  
 
 
 
       
   David Quinan 
 August 1, 2026.
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google.  Great atmosphere, great small venue, close to the action, graduates were great...
   Posted on Google  
 
 
 
       
   Colin V 
 July 31, 2026.
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google.  Great night lots of funny people
   Posted on Google  
 
 
 
       
   sarah kate 
 July 31, 2026.
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google.  Honesty I’ve been wanting to do this for years but life got completely I’m the way!!!! I had the BEST time met some epic people. Thanks Morrie, Brad and Lily. You are legends And I regret honestly not doing it sooner!!!!!
   Posted on Google  
 
 
 
       
   Tricia Baggs 
 July 31, 2026.
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google.  Incredible experience. Am telling everyone I know to give it a try. I feel so much more confident standing up in front of people to speak now. Morry, Brad and Lily were fantastic mentors - so generous with their time and energy. I made a lot of new friends with the other participants. A real sense of being in this together. I miss them all already! I learnt so much and I’m super proud of myself for doing it - highly recommend to anyone wanting to push themselves out of their comfort zone. 100% top value for money.
   Posted on Google  
 
 
 
       
   Paul Simpson 
 July 31, 2026.
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google.  I had a dream - for 60 years. I never believed I was funny! These guys proved I am! They coached me, they coaxed me. They gave me techniques and they honed my blunt comedic notions and helped me create my own persona - faster than Donald Trump; funnier than my friend the hospital administrator; and stupider than……….i dunno….some D.C. from Frankston (PM me and I might explain what a DC is)
   Posted on Google  
 
 
 
       
   ayman Abd elghany 
 July 31, 2026.
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google.  I really enjoyed this course. Brad n Morry were great. Highly recommended
   Posted on Google  
 
 
 
       
   Andrew Harvey (Pearhead150) 
 July 13, 2026.
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google.  What a blast!  Had a ball doing this course, great support from Morry, Brad and Lily!  Highly recommend doing it
   Posted on Google  
 
 
 
  
  
 
 
  Google rating score: 4.9 of 5, 
based on 259 reviews

Hard Knock Knocks Features on Travel Guides

AS SEEN ON TV!

Watch the cast of Channel 9's Travel Guides get coached at the Hard Knock Knocks comedy school in Melbourne.

Previous Comedy Coaches

Resident Comedy Coach - Brad Oakes

Comedian Brad Oakes is considered by many to be comedy royalty, and has over 30 years of stand-up comedy experience. Brad has performed on Australian classic comedy shows, which include The Comedy Company, Jimeoin, Full Frontal, and Hey Hey It’s Saturday. Brad also featured in the Hard Knock Knocks' comedy-drama, 'Is This Thing On?' Brad will also MC at the graduation, ensuring the audience is hot before the graduates perform. Learn more about Brad by clicking here.

Celebrity Guest Comedian - Dave Hughes

Dave Hughes Comedian

Dave Hughes, known as "Hughesy," is a beloved Australian comedian famous for his laid-back, self-deprecating humor. Rising to fame in the late 1990s, he became a household name through stand-up, radio, and TV shows like The Project and Hughesy, We Have a Problem. His comedy draws on personal experiences, making him highly relatable. With quick wit and authenticity, Hughesy remains a cornerstone of Australian comedy.

Returning Alumna - Laurence Driscoll

Laurence Driscoll - Comedian

At each course we invite a previous graduate (alumni) to perform at the Hard Knock Knocks graduation. In July it's Laurence Driscoll, fresh from his 22 night run at the Melbourne International Comedy Festival. Laurence will be sharing insights into the open mic comedy circuit, how to network within the comedy industry, and general comedy advice post-graduation. So not only will you learn stand-up comedy you'll start to build a network of comedians who are already performing in the comedy circuit.

CONTACT US TODAY

CALL 1300 068 882

Start your comedy journey today.

We are available to chat, any day of the week, via the chat button below or phone. Otherwise, we are contactable by email.