Queer Delights at the 2025 Melbourne International Comedy Festival

The Melbourne International Comedy Festival is back and bigger than ever – featuring a diverse and dynamic mix of international superstars, beloved Australian comedians, and exciting emerging talent.

Running from 26 March to 20 April 2025, the Festival promises to be an unforgettable celebration of comedy. From stand-up and sketch to improv and musical comedy, line-up shows, special events, talks and laughter-filled nights out. With so much on, the Australian Pride Network takes a look at 10 shows worth checking out:

Adore Händel’s Little Black Book
Storyville Melbourne: 29 March – 20 April
Adore Händel is the incorrigible 18th century time-travelling songbird and raconteur, here to share scandalous tales of lust, drama and paramours aplenty. This whimsical drag cabaret blends opera, pop classics and original songs, all with fanciful narratives sure to enchant and amuse. For a uniquely blush-worthy, magical hour of melodic excellence, come along as we open Adore Händel’s Little Black Book.

Big Dog Theatre: The Frog
Theatrette – Victorian Pride Centre: 4 – 6 April
Back to the stage for it’s second season, The Frog is a whimsical, absurdist comedy about unlikely friendships and a life spent working to rest. Frog is an accountant, content in his misery, who one day catches a juicy delicious Fly on their way home from work. In a bid to escape, Fly offers to help Frog search for a lost family heirloom, and the pair begrudgingly set out on the adventure of a lifetime, surprised by the friendship they find along the way. With magical simplicity and unbound imagination, Big Dog Theatre will transport even the grumpiest of desk dwellers to every corner of the whimsical world of The Frog.

Bob Downe: Choose Bob! 40 Ridiculous Years
The Capitol, Melbourne: 11 & 13 April
Aussie Comedy Icon Bob Downe has been making us Laugh and Singalong for 40 Ridiculous Years! But lets face it kids,” says Bob. “I’m not getting any older!” Celebrate with the still fresh Prince of Polyester in his brand new show featuring a bunch of Classic Hits with an unnaturally big-haired, shoulder padded, 80’s feel. From power ballads to bangers, you’ll walk IN humming the tunes! 40 Ridiculous Years! Features fabulous music from Music Director Bev Kennedy, special guests, fun memories, and a lotta laughs. Choose Bob!

Circus Oz: Non Stop
Melbourne Town Hall: 16 – 20 April
Circus Oz returns to the iconic Melbourne Town Hall for a strictly limited season. See them now before the show goes on the road from Shepparton to 42nd St. New York City! Witness the Non Stop energy in a fun-filled extravaganza, performed by a multi-generational ensemble for a multi-generational audience. A collision of comedy, clowning, acrobatics, muscles, live music, flying trapeze, juggling, slapstick, crazy antics and daredevilry by the hand of an eclectic ensemble spanning six decades. The infectious joy this ensemble brings is a sheer delight that will leave you breathless, laughing and screaming for more.

Geraldine Quinn: Bastard Joy
The Motley Bauhaus: 25 March – 6 April
Look out Melbourne. The high priestess of underground music comedy is medicated. Following up her sold out MICF hit The Passion of Saint Nicholas, Geraldine Quinn (Spicks and Specks) draws from the bottomless well of music industry ego-projects to present Bastard Joy – a mash-up of concert and (imaginary) legacy that would inspire Cher and make J-Lo embarrassed by her own pathetic efforts. Coinciding with her 20th year of Melbourne International Comedy Festival, get front-row access as Geraldine – the recipient of four major comedy nominations and over 35 Green Room Award cabaret nominations – explodes onto the stage in a night to remember. Weaving a history of slippery veracity about the definitely real impact of Geraldine – an electro-clash melding of ‘documentary’ and live music parody of a legend that never was.

The Mean Gays
The Pavilion – Arts Centre Melbourne: 18 April
The Mean Gays: Live has sold out major U.S. cities like Chicago, New York and Atlanta, and now they’re bringing their incredible sketch comedy down under! Jake Jonez doesn’t only shake his ass on the internet, but is also birthing his popstar career with his debut EP What We Want (out now). Aaron Goldenberg is an actor, who really wants you to know that he can do “drama” too! You can see him in Swarm (Prime), Righteous Gemstones (HBO), and most recently in Jordan Peele’s Scare Tactics (USA).

Reuben Kaye: The Kaye Hole
The Malthouse – Merlyn Theatre: 18 & 19 April
Late night, done right. The Kaye Hole is the hottest, queerest and loosest late-night variety show on the festival circuit. The show is a safe space of love, queer joy, queer protest and freedom of expression. Hosted and curated by Reuben, and backed by a live band, the night will feature an incredible line-up of artists across circus, comedy, cabaret, burlesque, aerial, singers and dancers. With sold-out runs across the UK and Australia, this is not a night to be missed!

Sam McGowan: Can’t Sleep
Tasma Terrace: 26 March – 6 April
Sam lies awake most nights, tossing and turning, thinking about every single thing that could ever happen, or ever will. Will the twink he likes text him back? Is the black mould in his bathroom affecting his aura? Will his singing lessons from a stranger on Gumtree actually help him achieve his goal of out-singing Susan Boyle? In this debut comedy hour, Sam begs you to help him answer the questions that keep him up at night. He’s already tried ear plugs, white noise, crying himself to sleep, and a free trial of Calm. He can’t afford $79 for an annual subscription. Please come to the show and suggest some ideas. He’s so curious and so tired. Expect to hear tragic dating stories, unsolicited hot takes on The Culture, and vendettas against the people who have wronged him (both real and imagined).

Yaaas Kween: Live, Laugh, Lesbian
The Grace Darling Hotel: 8 – 20 April
Live, Laugh, Lesbian invites, entices, practically begs straight women to embark on a wild and transformative journey embracing the lesbian side of life. From the creators of the sell-out Fringe World show Yaaas Kween, comes another provocatively sexy sketch comedy show that will challenge your gender norms and tickle more than just your funny bone. With quirky queer characters, pokes at the patriarchy and explorations of brown excellence, this show is a love letter to lesbianism. You’ll be questioning everything you thought you knew about love, relationships and identity.

Zak Vasiliou: Twinky Twinky Little Star
Speakeasy Theatre, Melbourne: 28 & 29 March and 9 & 13 April
Zak is gay. And that has been obvious since his childhood. Somehow, his parents missed every single sign. Prepare for non-stop laughter as Zak takes you through all of the signs his parents missed including belting out ABBA in the middle of the mall and asking Santa for the Hilary Duff album at five years old. Zak also has many questions about the gay community. When do you stop labelling yourself a twink? What happens after twinkhood? And what is with all the animal labels? This brand-new stand-up comedy show will have you laughing so hard, there won’t be a straight face in the audience!

The Melbourne International Comedy Festival continues to 20 April 2025. For more information and full program, visit: www.comedyfestival.com.au for details.