Brisbane Comedy Festival enters its second big decade in 2020, playing in more venues, welcoming more international stars, promoting more local talent and bringing more laughs than ever before.
A highlight of the international comedy calendar, Brisbane Comedy Festival 2020 returns for its 11th year with a bumper line-up of 85 acts playing in 14 performance spaces across five Brisbane venues from 21 February to 22 March, 2020.
Brisbane Powerhouse is comedy central, hosting performances and gigs across its iconic New Farm space – from its rooftop to its storeroom – with Brisbane City Hall and Newstead Brewing Co again throwing open their doors to entertainers.
Joining the fold for the first time are two new Fortitude Valley venues: the old-world charm of The Tivoli and the shiny newness of Fortitude Music Hall.
The month-long festival of fun and frivolity begins with the popular Brisbane Comedy Festival Opening Gala, hosted by a soon-to-be-revealed act who will attempt to corral the comedic chaos of more than 9 comedians at Brisbane City Hall on Friday 21 February.
The festival again shines the spotlight on top Queensland talent including Mel Buttle, Steph Tisdell, Becky Lucas and Matt Okine; local collectives Act/React, Brisburned and Politics in the Pub; and the dazzling return of a ‘90s icon – Agro with Jamie Dunn.
Grin, giggle and guffaw with a slate of national comedy heavyweights such as Dave Hughes, Peter Helliar, Fiona O’Loughlin, Nazeem Hussein, Frank Woodley, Sammy J and the duo we never knew we needed: Paul McDermott and Steven Gates.
Once again, the festival brings the world to Brisbane with international acts including Stephen K Amos, Jimeoin, Cal Wilson, Jonathon Pie and Shit-faced Shakespeare, who return with a sozzled take on Hamlet.
Brisbane Comedy Festival’s dedicated family and all-ages program makes an encore appearance with Around The Campfire improvised comedy; Mr Snot bottom’s Horrible, Terrible, Really, Really, Bad, Bad, Show; Dusty Rich’s Stand Up Comedy for Kids (and Adults); the rough justice of This Is Your Trial; and Brisbane heats and state final of the Class Clowns competition for students in Years 9-12.
Also returning in 2020 are star-studded ensemble act Queerstories as well as free Livewired and Knockoff comedy events.
Brisbane Powerhouse Artistic Director Kris Stewart said Brisbane Comedy Festival’s jam-packed 2020 program cemented its standing as Australia’s fastest-growing comedy festival.
“It’s been 11 years since Brisbane Comedy Festival first brought the laughs and it’s fantastic to see so many new acts making their debut in 2020 alongside stalwarts who have a long history with the city, including Dave Hughes, who performed in the inaugural Brisbane Comedy Festival in 2009,” Mr Stewart said.
“Our festival family continues to grow and this year we welcome two new venues into the fold – The Tivoli and Fortitude Music Hall – who will turn their spotlights on our stars and provide them with all new spaces to entertain audiences and engage with fans.
“And speaking of families, how could we not bring back the disgusting and delightful all-ages program after it brought such a snot-load of fun to kids – and adults – in 2019?”
Brisbane Comedy Festival 2020 runs from 21 February to 22 March. Pre-sale tickets are available from Tuesday 26 November, 2019 at brisbanecomedyfestival.com. General tickets are released on Thursday 28 November at 10am.
Brisbane Comedy Festival 2020 has the support of some amazing partners, including presenting partner Brisbane Powerhouse with support from Brisbane City Council, and festival partners Bambrick, Brisbane Mini Garage, FV by Peppers, goa, Hire Republic, Network 10, Newstead, PixelFrame, scenestr, Triple M and Valiant.
– ENDS –
Full artist and event line-up
Aaron Chen, Aaron Gocs, Agro, Akmal, Alex Ward, Alex Williamson, Andrew Hansen, Around the Campfire, Becky Lucas, Cameron James, Blake Freeman, Brennan Reece, Brett Blake, Brisburned, Cal Wilson, Cam Knight, Charity Werk, Chris Ryan, Craig Quartermaine, Dan Rath, Dave Hughes, David Quirk, David Woodhead, Demi Lardner & Tom Walker, Dilruk Jayasinha, Double Denim, Dreamgun, Dusty Rich, Effie, Fiona O’Loughlin, Frank Woodley, Gen Fricker, Geraldine Hickey, Gillian English, Greg Larsen, Harley Breen, Heath’s Chopper, Ivan Aristeguieta, Jacques Barrett, James Veitch, Jeff Green, Jimeoin, Jimmy McGhie & John Hastings, Jonathan Pie, Jordan Raskopoulos, Josh Earl, Jude Perl, Larry Dean, Lauren Bonner, Lawrence Mooney, Luke Heggie, Mark Lombard, Mark Watson, Matt Okine, Matt Stewart, Mel Buttle, Melanie Bracewell, Mr Snot Bottom, Natalie Bochenski, Nath Valvo, Nazeem Hussain, Nick Cody, Nina Oyama, Oliver Coleman, Paul & Gatesy, Pax Assadi, Peter Hellier, Rosie Waterland, Sam Campbell, Sam Taunton, Sammy J, Shitfaced Shakespeare, Speed: The Movie, The Play, Steph Tisdell, Stephen K Amos, The Chaser & The Shovel, The Stevenson Experience, The Travelling Sisters, Tom Ballard, Tom Walker, Tommy Little, Zack Dyer, Zoe Coombs Marr.
EVENT Brisbane Comedy Festival 2020
DATE Fri 21 Feb – Sun 22 Mar 2020
VENUES Brisbane Powerhouse, Brisbane City Hall, The Fortitude Music Hall, The Tivoli, Newstead Brewery & Co.
PHONE 07 3358 8600
WEB brisbanecomedyfestival.com.au
SOCIAL @briscomedyfest / #briscomedyfest20