They say laughter is the best medicine! The Brisbane Comedy Festival is prescribing a giant dose of it as the event unveils the full program for its anticipated sweet 16th edition!
Running from 23 April to 25 May, the festival will take over Brisbane Powerhouse, The Tivoli, Fortitude Music Hall and The Princess Theatre, spreading a month’s worth of non-stop cackles across the city for its biggest, boldest and funniest instalment yet.
Pushing the boundaries of comedy with more shows than ever before, Brisbane Comedy Festival 2025 is not just serving stand-up but also clowning, interactive performances, theatre improv, kids and family entertainment – and even wine tasting!
Whether you’re after sharp-witted satire, absurd antics or side-splitting storytelling, there’s something for every comedy lover at Brisbane Comedy Festival 2025.
Brisbane Comedy Festival Director, Phoebe Meredith said there are over 130+ shows this year, with everything from sharp stand-up and witty storytelling to sketch and musical comedy, and a very strong contingent of clowns (not the creepy kind).
“The rise of the clown for me brings an extra layer of theatricality and commitment to silliness that I know our audience will really enjoy,” said Ms Meredith.
“As always, we have a few viral sensations making the leap from your phone screen to the stage, international icons, people you see on the telly and hear on the radio, as well as a pack of up-and-comers ready to make you lol. No matter your taste in comedy, there’s something for everyone.”
For your dose of clowning and silliness, the 2025 festival brings Elf Lyons with the first ever comedy show performed entirely by a horse, Furiozo – a punk-rock comedy, and Garry Starr performs every classic Penguin novel ever written. In an hour.
Festival favourite Aboriginal Comedy Allstars returns, featuring premier First Nations comedians Andy Saunders, Elaine Crombie, Janty Blair, Jay Wymarra, Kevin Kropinyeri and Sean Choolburra. With sell-out seasons and five-star reviews across the UK, Adelaide, Melbourne and beyond, they’ll be bringing huge belly laughs from the heart of the wide brown land.
Witness proud Butchulla, Mununjali and Woppaburra woman Janty Blair perform her first-ever solo show – at the age of 60! A nurse, a midwife, mother, friend, sister, daughter, and winner of the 2022 Deadly Funnies, Janty is the cool Blak Aunt you want to sit next to at the family function. Don’t miss her yarning stories and physical comedy that’s full of heart when she makes her solo debut.
Catch Brisbane locals Matt Okine, Ben Hunter and social media sensation Anisa Nandaula, and rising stars of comedy Jordan Barr, who has opened for the likes of Hannah Gadsby and Catherine Cohen, Fady Kassab dishing on his Fady Issues, and Stuart Daulman with a treasure trove of new material and timeless classics.
There’s also the musical comedy of award-winning identical twin duo The Stevenson Experience, and Harry Jun’s Friendship Safari, an expedition into the highs and lows of companionship.
Queerstories makes its anticipated return to Brisbane Comedy Festival in 2025, featuring a stellar line-up of some of Australia’s best LGBTQIA+ comedians telling unexpected tales – stories of pride, prejudice, resilience and resistance – at this hilarious yet heartbreaking, vulnerable yet powerful comedy event.
Then, see some of the country’s top women comedians grace the stage for Frocking Hilarious! Hosted by Claire Hooper and featuring some of the best in the biz, this comedy show supports ActionAid’s mission for women’s rights worldwide – laughter with purpose, anyone?
And there’s plenty you should have FOMO about with heaps of shows already sold out including the Festival’s official opening gala, hosted at the glittering Fortitude Music Hall; Kiwi legend Rhys Darby’s brand-new show; Aunty Donna’s Broden Kelly; and your favourite workplace wankers, Wankernomics, fresh off entirely sold-out runs in Australia, Edinburgh and London.
So, what are you waiting for? Now’s the time to start planning your laughter-packed adventure, because Brisbane Comedy Festival 2025 is bringing the laughs like never before! Sixteen years and sixteen festivals later, the gags just keep getting better – with over 130 comedy events on offer, there’s something for everyone.
The 2025 Brisbane Comedy Festival run 23 April to 25 May. For more information and full program, visit: www.brisbanecomedyfestival.com for details.
Images: Brisbane Powerhouse (supplied) | Elf Lyons (supplied) | Janty Blair (supplied) | Queerstories (supplied)