Laughter is the best medicine – Comedy in Perth this winter
Don’t let the weather bring you down this winter.
Things are heating up in Perth City with the Winter Arts Festival, and what a better way to cheer away the winter blues than with a belly full of laughter.
Thanks to the huge selection of comedy shows that are a part of the festival, it’s easy to get the laughter medicine you need to rid yourself of a horrible winter cold.
Local Perth performers will star alongside national and international comedy superstars in some of the City’s best live performance venues.
The Comedy Underground
Happening every Thursday night at The Hidden Bar, Perth’s long-form improve comedy collective Only The Human presents The Comedy Underground.
This gag-filled show sees local comedians, performers and monologists brave the stage for a completely improvised performance inspired by the audience.
A different audience every night means no two shows are ever the same and even the performers don’t know what to expect.
Enjoy the show and the live music from the comfort of your spot by the bar, or while scoffing down some of the tasty grub.
The Hidden Bar in the heart of Northbridge is a cute and quirky place to find yourself on a chilly weeknight.
The comedy starts at 8pm but arrive early for a $10 pizza and middie (or glass of wine) from 6-8pm and happy hour from 6-7pm.
Tickets are $10 for the show and can be purchased here (Link: https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/the-comedy-underground-tickets-23214435000?aff=erellivmlt)
Melbourne International Comedy Festival Roadshow
Perth you lucky ducks it’s not everyday you get to sample the talent of some of the globe’s best comedians, but this winter the Melbourne International Comedy Festival isn’t staying put it’s coming our way.
The historic His Majesty’s Theatre will play host to the road show for three nights only, featuring a score of hilarious performers descending on Perth including Hannah Gadsby, Nath Valvo and Wil Sylvince.
All the way from New York, Wil Sylvince, who has appeared on Comedy Central and HBO’s Def Comedy Jam, brings a unique perspective on political and social issues with a twist of his West Indian Haitian culture, making him on of the most in-demand comedians in the US.
“Perth is a beautiful city with beautiful people, it’s always a pleasure to visit,” he said.
“I have made some really good friends there that I just love to hang out with whenever I’m there. And the best part is Perth loves comedy!”
Naw, shucks Wil.
He said laughter makes his list of one of the best things life has to offer and being able to make people laugh brings with it a sense of achievement
“[To make people laugh is like] the feeling you get when you finish a video game and you get the diamond, or the princess…. But happening 100 times.”
For those who have never been to a comedy show Wil said “be prepared for the best addiction you’ll ever have.”
Tickets for the Melbourne International Comedy Roadshow can be booked via Ticketek. (http://premier.ticketek.com.au/shows/show.aspx?sh=ROADSHOW16)
Bogan Bingo
Chuck on a flanno and don’t forget your uggs you’re in for a true blue Aussie night at Rosie O’Grady’s.
It’s not just for the oldies – everyone loves a good game of bingo, and the bogan version is even better.
After being nominated for Best Comedy at Fringe World in 2014, Bogan Bingo is back for the last Thursday of every month until November.
Run by ‘professional bogans’ the night is sure to have you in stitches with the bingo team turning all the numbers into rock anthems, tributes or anything that will poke fun at the crowd.
The Gelo Company says to expect the prizes to be just as classy as the fashion and the comedy as tight as the jeans.
Tables can sit between four and 10 people and it’s first in best bogan dressed when it comes to table selection.
Doors open at 7.30pm and the show starts at 8pm.
Tickets cost $20 or $5 for students and must be booked online in order to reserve a table for your group.
To reserve your spot click here. (Link: https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/bogan-bingo-rosies-northbridge-tickets-18506538555)
The Comedy Shack
Perth is the perfect pit stop for Australian comedians on their international comedy circuit.
Between the Melbourne Comedy Festival and the Edinburgh Comedy Festival a number of international comedian superstars are squeezing in a stop over to Rigby’s Bar for The Comedy Shack.
Performances feature a mix of open mic performers from overseas, interstate and local WA talent to keep things fresh.
Previous performers have included Matt Dytyknski as heard on 94.5fm brekky, Janelle Koenig who has represented Australia on NBC’s Last Comic Standing in the USA and Ben Darsow who was nominated for best comedy at Fringe World Festival 2016.
The show has also hosted the likes of Wil Anderson, Dave O’Neil, Peter Rosethorn, Michael Chamberlin and Joel Creasey.
The next Rigby’s show is happening July 8 from 8-10pm, however come down a little earlier at 7pm when the doors open and enjoy a pre-show meal.
The extensive menu includes all your bar favourites such as fish and chips, burgers and chicken parmigiana.
Tickets are $25 and available from www.thecomedyshack.com.au.
Barefaced Stories
If you’re after something a little out of the ordinary, something a bit more risky then you can’t go past Barefaced Stories.
It’s real people sharing their real stories in an extremely vulnerable way with the audience.
As Perth’s only regular storytelling night, Barefaced Stories feature people from all over the globe and all walks of life. There are comedians, bus drivers, accountants and even pro-wrestlers telling their true stories.
Some will have you in stitches while others will have you reaching for the tissues, but all will leave an impact.
Storyteller Gary Steadman said the show is like a “jewel box” with half a dozen stories being told each night the odds are there will be something you are bound to enjoy.
“I enjoy crafting a simple story about a small piece of my life, setting it free and seeing other people respond to this small thing I’ve made,” he said.
“If someone connects with something in a story it’s like being given a gift.”
Gary said the Winter arts Festival was the perfect excuse to get out and about despite the weather.
“The Festival is a bit like huddling up around the camp fire and telling stories to keep warm in the winter months,” he said.
“It’s a great thing to winkle people out of the house, away from the TV and celebrate what Perth has to offer when you can’t go to the beach for a swim, or a sunbake.”
Barefaced Stories happens on the last Tuesday of every month at The Bird in Northbridge.
Tickets are $10 and doors open at 7pm.
To purchase tickets visit www.barefaced.com.au.
The Comedy Lounge Dave
It’s not just the main stage at His Majesty’s Theatre that will be boasting prestigious comedians; Downstairs at The Maj will also be hosting its Comedy Lounge during the Perth Winter Arts Festival.
With a maximum capacity of 135, this intimate venue, featuring cabaret-style seating, will have you feeling very much a part of the action as a carefully selected line up of comedians get you laughing all night long.
The next show on July 15 will feature Melbourne-based comedian and Triple J presenter Dave Callan alongside fellow Melbournian Ben Lomas and Katie Burch from NSW, and many more.
Complete the experience by indulging pre-show and during interval at the relaxed downstairs bar.
Shows begin at 7.30pm with tickets starting from $45 through Ticketek. (http://premier.ticketek.com.au/shows/show.aspx?sh=COMEDYLU16)
An Evening of Sit Down with Billy Crystal
Sit back, relax and let much-loved American actor Billy Crystal tickle your funny bone for an evening.
The Tony and Emmy Award-winning comedian, actor, writer, producer and director will be in Perth July 25 and 28 at the Perth Convention and Exhibition Centre, and will share the stage with celebrated Australian interviewer Andrew Denton.
If you’ve ever wanted to know what goes on behind the scenes in the life of the When Harry Met Sally star you won’t be disappointed as he shares his unique world observations and reflections on his life and career.
Billy brings this brand new show on tour this winter to Australia and New Zealand.
The TV funny man has hosted the Academy Awards nine times and his latest memoir till Foolin’ ‘Em: Where I’ve Been, Where I’m Going, and Where the Hell Are My Keys? was an instant New York Times best seller.
After a sell out of his 700 Sundays Broadway production you’ll want to get in early to avoid missing out on this one.
For the dedicated fans there are even meet and greet ticket options, which include a photo opportunity, a pre show sit down three-course dinner, official VIP merchandise and red carpet VIP access.
General tickets start at $112 and up to $994 for the most luxurious package, all of which can be purchased through Ticketek.
(http://premier.ticketek.com.au/shows/show.aspx?sh=BILLYCRY16&v=RTP)
Trevor Noah
Another big name to hit our shore this winter and cheer us all up, host of the Emmy and Peabody Award–winning program The Daily Show in the US, Trevor Noah, will storm the stage this August.
Despite his current role, Trevor Noah has his roots firmly planted in comedy, touring his first one-man show in 2009 with his second show selling out at the 2012 Edinburgh Fringe Festival.
However, this time he brings a brand new show to Perth Arena on August 25.
As a performer Trevor has tackled the lot – radio, TV and stand-up comedy – and earned quite the following.
Described as having ‘unmistakable charm’, ‘sharp wit’ and ‘intelligent commentary’ his audiences rarely want for anything.
This event is expected to be a sell out, so if you have an itching to catch Trevor Noah before he jets back to the US grab your ticket from Ticketek.
(http://premier.ticketek.com.au/shows/show.aspx?sh=TREVORNO16&v=WPA)
Kaitlin Shawcross is a Perth Journalist and lifestyle blogger.
Website: https://fivefootsteps.wordpress.com
