Shows for Melbourne International Comedy Festival

Hard Knock Knocks to produce shows for Melbourne International Comedy Festival

It’s almost that time of year when Melbourne gets funnier. And to that end, this year the Hard Knock Knocks comedy school is producing 14 shows: The Best of Hard Knock Knocks, Dark Comedy Special, and Punter’s Politics with Punter Konrad. The Best of: A celebration of the comedy community Since 2018, the Hard Knock Knocks Comedy School has been …

Are you ready to perform at Melbourne International Comedy Festival?

Are you ready to perform at the Melbourne International Comedy Festival?

The Hard Knock Knocks Comedy School is coming up to our tenth year of coaching stand-up comedy, and one thing we know for sure, graduates are super keen to perform at the Melbourne International Comedy Festival, ASAP. But are they ready? Performing a ‘tight five‘ at a Hard Knock Knocks Comedy School graduation is one thing. Performing over multiple nights …

Hard Knock Knocks gets 6 into Raw Comedy finals

Hard Knock Knocks gets 6 into Raw Comedy finals

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 …

How the NDIS can fund your comedy course

Unlocking Laughter: How the NDIS can fund your comedy course

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 …

Five qualities of a successful stand-up comedian

5 qualities of a successful stand-up comedian

The Hard Knock Knocks comedy school is now in its ninth year. Since it’s founding in 2016, over 700 bucket list tickers, key note speakers and comedians of the future have completed our five night comedy course. Many graduates have gone on to win comedy competitions, including Raw Comedy, and even become full time professional comedians. With so many alumni, …

Best New Comer Laurence Driscoll

Comedy school alumni nominated for ‘Best Newcomer’

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 …

Dark Comedy

Australia’s Top 5 Dark Comedians

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 …

Raw Comedy - Melbourne International Comedy Festival

How do you enter Raw Comedy in 2025?

Are you thinking to enter Raw Comedy 2025? 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 …