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Raw Comedy 2012 Screening on TV

admin — Fri, 18 May 2012 06:45:47 +0000

Comedian Dave Thornton (The Project, Talkin’ About Your Generation, Good News Week, Agony Uncles) hosts the annual Raw Comedy National Grand Final to be screened on ABC1 Saturday May 26 at 9.30am.

Raw Comedy is the nation’s biggest, most prestigious open-mic comedy competition and has been a launchpad for Australian comedy careers since its inception in 1996. The last chicken standing receives a trip to the Edinburgh Fringe Festival and a spot in the prestigious “So You Think You’re Funny’ competition.

A staggering 1,078 comedians entered this year’s competition, but after more than 60 gigs in capital cities and regional centres around Australia, this number was whittled down to the 12 finalists who had five minutes to perform to a sold-out house at the Melbourne Town Hall on Sunday 15 April. The Raw Comedy Grand Final represents a very healthy snapshot of newcomers to the stand up comedy world.

The 2012 finalists include Andrew Wolfe (NSW), Hayman Kent (Vic), Mitchell McCutcheon (QLD), Ivy Latimer (NSW), Lessons with Luis (VIC), Georgie Carroll (SA), Mike Nayna (VIC), Stephen (Dylan Hesp) (TAS), Amos Gill (SA), Kyle Walmsley (NT), Cameron James (NSW) and Jon Pinder (WA).

Raw Comedy is supported by Triple J.

Sammy J Releases CD

admin — Fri, 18 May 2012 06:22:55 +0000

Sammy J has recently released a Comedy soundtrack titled ‘Skinny Man, Modern World’. The 28 year old Melbourne comedian has come off performing a successful run of live shows at the Adelaide Fringe, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth and Sydney Comedy Festivals.

The CD release is a live performance featuring a full backing band and 13 catchy tracks showcasing Sammy’s award winning mix of musical comedy.

The album is available through iTunes, details here: www.sammy-j.com

The 2012 Melb Comedy Festival Wrap-Up

admin — Thu, 17 May 2012 07:51:42 +0000

The 2012 Melbourne International Comedy Festival is in its 26th year this year and made a total of $12,020,000 at the box office despite a turbulent economy.

It came head-to-head with last year’s record $12.1 million in ticket prices.

Here are the rest of the stats from the season:

5,286 performances
1,939 performers
129 venues
606,879 total attendance
461,383 paid attendance

The Melbourne International Comedy Festival will be back in 2013 and will run from March 27 – April 21.

Tim Minchin, a ‘Spice Girl’ & Andrew Lloyd Webber?

admin — Thu, 17 May 2012 05:55:04 +0000

The last time we wrote about Australian-born UK-based Comedian and Performer Tim Minchin we spoke of his new guest acting gig on US Television show ‘Californication’.

With no signs of slowing down Minchin yesterday said it was announced that he will play the role of ‘Judas Iscariot’ in the first ever UK arena tour of Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber’s rock musical Jesus Christ Superstar.

Joining the cast is former Spice Girl Melanie C who will play ‘Mary Magdalene’ and Chris Moyles (UK shock jock) announced as ‘King Herod’.

Tickets go on sale 9am Friday 18th May with a Digitally remastered album released 16 July.

Minchin says “As a huge fan of Jesus Christ Superstar, I’ve always thought it needed 3 key things: a big cast and band; loads of volume; and me playing Judas. I’ve been in two small productions of the show, and understudied the big man both times. I am really bloody excited about this.”

Tickets for the UK tour priced £45-65 go on sale at 9.00am on Friday 18 May.

Sydney Comedy Awards 2012

admin — Thu, 17 May 2012 05:24:53 +0000

Time Out Sydney and the Sydney Comedy Festival announced this year’s festival award winners on the final night, last Saturday, of the Festival at the Factory Theatre. Congratulations to all the 2012 winners.

Best Newcomer – Rhys Nicholson
Best Local/Australian Act – Felicity Ward
Best Sydney Act – Luke Heggie
Best International – Daniel Kitson
Critics Choice – Lou Sanz
Best Venue – Happy Endings Comedy Club

Watch where it all started for Best Newcomer Rhys Nicholson at Triple J Raw Comedy 2009

The Umbilical Brothers on TV

admin — Wed, 16 May 2012 06:11:32 +0000

In ’94 it had been approximately 7 degrees hotter than hell in the packed Edinburgh venue and the guys had sweated more than the legal limit for bloated opera singers during a game of squash.

Wanting to repeat the experience the following year, they were informed by their new London agent that it is compulsory to return to Edinburgh with a new show. And if they didn’t, the Fringe pixies would come over to their house and, in groups of five or more, paint it teal.

Fearing this might be true, the Umbies set about creating their next production. ‘Heaven By Storm’ was born on the 7th July 1995, and previewed to an understanding Sydney audience. After a few minor adjustments and the assistance of an exorcist, it was flown to Edinburgh 95 where it was re-cast, unfortunately with the same actors. The show is basically about God, Death, Heaven, Terry and twenty cents.

It’s won the Critics’ Choice Award for comedy, garnered a Perrier nomination, been performed at the Hong Kong International Festival and the Sydney Opera House.

If you haven’t seen it before, you can catch The Umbilical Brothers: Heaven By Storm at 8:30pm Monday May 21st on ONE.

Myf Warhurst in the Comedy Slot?

admin — Wed, 16 May 2012 00:21:55 +0000

Wednesday nights on ABC1 have traditionally been a night for comedy. Currently airing at 8.30pm is Andrew Denton’s word-based quiz show Randling followed by the series Laid and documentary Agony Aunts – all comedy skewed. Previously, Wednesday night ABC1 shows have included Frank Woodley’s ‘WOODLEY’ and Adam Hills in ‘Adam Hills in Gordon Street Tonight’.

So how will new 6-part light entertainment series “Myf Warhurst’s Nice” go in the Wednesday night slot when it premieres on June 13 at 8pm?

Here’s the run-down: The new series looks to take viewers on a cultural crusade to explore some of Myf’s favourite things from her youth in music, food, fashion, photography, art and design.

Along the way, Myf meets some familiar faces including; one of her personal heroes Kenny Rogers; TV Chef Peter Russel-Clarke; food journalist Matt Preston; Chicko Roll poster girl Danielle Scandrett; portrait photographer Douglas Kirkland; iconic artist Ken Done; art aficionado Steve Vizard; Myf’s perm idol Craig McLachlan; artist and designer Jenny Kee; celebrity hairdresser Edward Beale; the face (and voice) of Copperart Pete Smith and host of the UK TV series ‘Bargain Hunt’ Tim Wonnacott, plus many more.

If the preview clip of the Myf’s show is anything to go by, we reckon she may just do alright in her Wednesday 8PM slot… if all fails perhaps we could see her belting it out with this song on the next series of The Voice…? See for yourself…!

Funding for 3 New Comedy Projects

admin — Mon, 14 May 2012 23:21:41 +0000

Screen Australia has announced it will be investing in script development of three comedy films in a funding round which has supported a total of 16 project.

Abe Forsythe (Ned, 2003) will direct and write a black comedy based on the Cronulla riots with Greg McLean (Wolf Creek) to be executive producer.

Angie Fielder (Wish You Were Here) and producing partner Polly Staniford have secured funds for writers Emma Vuletic and Justine Flynn for romantic comedy, The Post Office.

Writer Duncan Kennedy will also receive funds for comedy Koala Blue.

www.screenaustralia.gov.au

Screen Australia Funding Details:

KOALA BLUE

Genre Comedy
Writer Duncan Kennedy

THE POST OFFICE

Genre Romantic Comedy
Producers Angie Fielder, Polly Staniford
Writers Emma Vuletic, Justine Flynn

UNTITLED AUSTRALIAN PROJECT

Genre Black Comedy
4/4
Producer Matthew Reeder
Executive Producer Greg McLean
Writer/Director Abe Forsythe
Synopsis A dark comedy about racism set during the Cronulla riots.

New TV Series for Hannah Gadsby

admin — Fri, 11 May 2012 03:40:32 +0000

Side-kick to Adam Hills on Adam Hills In Gordon Street Tonight, Comedian and Art Scholar, Hannah Gadsby will attempt to discover Australia’s cultural history in a new series for ABC’s Artscape.

Titled Hannah Gadsby’s Oz, the 3-part factual series is produced by Rebecca Summerton (Closer Productions) and directed by Matthew Bate (Shut Up Little Man).

Through the history of Australian art, Gadsby explores where Australia gets its national identity from “from first settlement to Federation to multiculturalism”.

The series is written by Hannah Gadsby and Matthew Bate and is currently in pre-production.

Just For Laughs 2012 Announced!

admin — Thu, 10 May 2012 00:10:31 +0000

Just For Laughs returns to Montreal in July for its 30th year. The Aussie line-up has been announced and we’re pleased to get in first with the news that Adam Hills, Dave Hughes and Sam Simmons will be representing us on stage.

If you’re in town or fancy the trip over the festival runs 10th – 29th July, tickets go on sale Friday 11th May (Canadian time) / Saturday 12th May Australian time. More details here: www.hahaha.com

More to come…