Comedy gala hits Canberra

THE Canberra Comedy Festival kicks off tonight with a sold-out opening night gala at the Canberra Theatre to be hosted by Tom Gleeson.

The week-long festival, featuring over 50 shows, has been preparing for over 5000 attendees but is “expecting anywhere between five and eight thousand”, according to associate director Benjamin Stevenson.

The Doug Anthony All Stars, Chris Ryan and Eddy Nelson, The Stevenson Experience, and Matty Grey’s “Grossed Out Gameshow” for children have all sold out one or more of their shows, but Stevenson says tickets are still available to encore performances.

Other shows close to selling out are Jimeoin, Glenn Robbins and Dave O’Neil, Hannah Gadsby, Sammy J, and Tommy Little.

Among the highlights is “Radio Variety Hour”, a live vintage radio show at the Museum of Australian Democracy in Old Parliament House on March 7, billed as “a nostalgic homage to authentic radio shows of the 1950s, with all voices and sound effects performed on stage live”.

At the Playhouse on March 6 are former “Chaser’s War on Everything” colleagues, Chris Taylor and Andrew Hansen, who are threatening to perform “a lengthy tribute to Rolf Harris”.

The festival runs in venues across Canberra, including: Canberra Theatre Centre, ANU Arts Centre, Novotel Canberra, and The Civic Pub.

The Canberra Comedy Festival, until March 9, bookings to canberracomedyfestival.com.au

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