There’s a new stand-up comedy venue in Melbourne, and it’s ‘south of the river’! It’s the ‘Rubber Chicken‘, and it aims to be Australia’s first comedy hub. Those familiar with Melbourne’s comedy scene will recognise the names of comedy disruptors, Ben Horowitz and Morry Morgan. Since 2016, the duo have been helping build Melbourne’s stand-up comedy industry, first with their …
The Stand-up Comedy Disruptors proving you can teach stand-up comedy
When it comes to becoming a stand-up comedian, not much has changed in the last 30 years. Turn up to a pub that runs an open mic night. Perform five minutes of embarrassing jokes. Then repeat. Do that for three or four years, night after night, and you might have a shot at the big time. Maybe. That’s how Christine …
Photographic headshots now included in stand-up comedy course
From January 2021, stand-up comedy students at the School of Hard Knock Knocks will each receive a photography package as part of the standard comedy course. Photographer and cinematographer, Anthony Littlechild, has been shooting film and video for over 13 years, and was the official ‘behind the scenes’ music video photographer for Tones & I. Anthony’s mobile photography studio will …
The Subtle Art of Becoming a RAW Comedy Finalist
How many Indians does it take to change a light bulb? Hey listen, we have one point three billion, take as many as you want. Alright alright, not a great joke, but then again, I never was funny. I was never the funny kid; I was the shy kid, the kid who sat in the corner and laughed at funny …
Gavin Sempel – The hard road to Raw Comedy
The audio interview of this transcript with Gavin Sempel is available here. Morry: Comedian Gavin Sempel is one of the hardest working new comics in Australia. At the age of 18, in March 2016, Gavin Sempel began his stand up comedy career by enrolling in the very first School of Hard Knock Knocks course. Two years later, almost to the …
Nikki Osborne – Go hard or go home
The audio interview of this transcript with comedian Nikki Osborne is available here. Morry: In her very first Melbourne International Comedy Festival show, comedian Nikki Osborne, not only sold out, but also managed to attract over $100,000 of free or earned publicity for her show, On The Spectrum. That’s the good news. The bad news was she also endured an …
MICF Review – Charisa Bossinakis – Paquito
Comedian Charisa Bossinakis is young, attractive and intelligent – and uses these traits to work the room and build rapport. Her latest hour show at the Melbourne International Comedy Festival (MICF) 2019, ‘Paquito’, is a nonlinear narrative about a trip to Cuba with her loveable, albeit naïve, girlfriend. Peppered with just the right amount of sass and self-deprecation, the audience …
MICF Review – Michael Shafar – 50/50
Comedian Micheal Shafar is a sublimely charismatic and genuinely likeable performer with the kind of comedy that is relatable, hilarious and full of honest observations that I guarantee would even make your 80 year old grandmother laugh out loud. He is like your best mate’s cheeky younger brother who eventually and ultimately becomes your best mate. In his MICF 2019 …
MICF Review – Willem Richards – Like to Play Pretend?
An inspiring and energetic performance was enjoyed by those attending Willem Richards’ ‘Like to Play Pretend?’ at this year’s Melbourne International Comedy Festival. This endearing performer has produced a fantastic hour-long, one-man show. Richards moves well between multiple characters and skits utilising many and varied props. Take, for example, the massage bench prop which was clearly and hilariously employed during …