Deadly Funny is a development initiative of the Melbourne International Comedy Festival, now in its 4th year. Deadly Funny is currently operating in Victoria, South Australia, New South Wales, Western Australia and we welcome Queensland and the Northern Territory in 2010.
Since its conception Deadly Funny has proudly presented 52 Indigenous Stand-up comedians. Previous National Grand Final winners are Kevin Kropinyeri, Shiralee Hood and Mia Stanford.
Deadly Funny offers professionally facilitated comedy workshops. Established professional comedians travel to Indigenous communities to help budding comedian’s tailor their deadly yarn and jokes into a Stand-up performance.
State Finals are produced by the Melbourne International Comedy Festival with the support of local Indigenous communities. Winners from these Finals qualify for the Deadly Funny National Grand Final held during the Melbourne International Comedy Festival. The winner receives a Deadly Funny trophy, a whopping cheque valued at $2000 and bragging rights as the Deadly Funny National Champion.
So if you’re Indigenous and can get to Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane, Adelaide, Perth or Alice Springs get cracking with your 5 minute Deadly Funny yarn / joke. Get to a comedy workshop and get ready for the ride of your life. Comedy stardom awaits you.
Deadly Funny, Laugh Your MOOM off!
If you're interested, sign up here:
and we'll be in touch with further details.
Deadly Funny Interstate coordinators
You can also register through your Deadly Funny State Coordinator
Victoria: Jason Tamiru, jason@comedyfestival.com.au
South Australia: Diat Alferink, wakaidgirl@hotmail.com
New South Wales: Lily Shearer, lshearer@cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au
Western Australia: Tash Nannup, dereknannup@yahoo.com.au
Queensland: Sam Watson samuel@989fm.com.au
Angelina Hurley yooleelar@hotmail.com
Alice Springs: Gman, gman@caama.com.au
Workshops
Workshops provide Deadly Funny contestants the opportunity to get their Deadly Funny joke or yarn workshopped by a professional Stand-Up Comedian. The workshops provide deadly tips and advice on your writing and performance. The workshops also provide confidence to perform in front of an audience. Workshops take out the shame aye.
It's easy don't sweat it okay!
Victoria
Where: Melbourne International Comedy Festival
240 Exhibition Street, Melbourne
Dates: Feb 18, Feb 25, Mar 4, Mar 11
Time: 6.30pm to 9.30pm
South Australia
Where: Tandanya Culture Centre
253 Grenfell Street, Adelaide
Dates: Feb 6, Feb 13, Feb 19, Feb 26
Time: 10.30am to 1.30pm
New South Wales
Where: Redfern Community Centre
29-53 Hugo Street, Redfern
Dates: Feb 6, Feb 13, Feb 19, Feb 26
Time: 10.30am to 1.30pm
Western Australia
Where: Yirra Yaakin
65 Murray Street, Perth
Dates: Feb 13, Feb 20, Feb 27, Mar 6
Time: 10.30am to 1.30pm
Queensland
Where: Jagerra Arts Centre
121 Cordelia Street, South Brisbane
Dates: Jan 23, Jan 30, Feb 6
Time: 10.30am to 1.30pm
Northern Territory/Alice Springs
Where: CAAMA
101 Todd Street, Alice Springs
Dates: Feb 20, Feb 21
Time: 10.30am to 2.30pm
What can I do?
Pretty much anything, as long as it's Deadly Funny: Stand-Up, musical, joke or a funny yarn. If you're not sure, sign up and come to the workshop anyway. I bet our workshop Stand-Up Comedian can make it Deadly Funny.
State Finals
After the workshops, we’ll leave you alone for a week or so to rehearse and take in the advice you’ve got. Then Deadly Funny comes back and we stage a live, public performance, hosted by a Festival comedian. This is where you strut your stuff in front of your community. All performers get 5 minutes with their comedy routine judged by comedy professionals and community comedy artists. A winner will be named and they will become Deadly Funny State Champion. All State champions will be flown to Melbourne during Melbourne International Comedy Festival, to compete to become National Deadly Funny Champion.
True that’s deadly!
Victoria: March 15, Evelyn Hotel, Fitzroy
South Australia: March 8, NOVA Cinema
New South Wales: March 5, Roxbury Hotel, Glebe
Western Australia: March 11, Comedy Lounge
Queensland: Feb 12, venue tbc
Northern Territory: Feb 27, venue tbc, Alice Springs
National Deadly Funny Grand Final
This is the big deadly day, the National Deadly Funny Grand Final. The Grand Final is held during the Melbourne International Comedy Festival. The show is held at Melbourne Town Hall and is seen by comedy professionals, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community and Melbourne Comedy Festival punters. The Grand Final is judged by comedy industry professionals and local community leaders.
The winner of the Grand Final wins a whopping cheque worth $2000 and a Deadly Funny National Champion Trophy and of course bragging rights as Deadly Funny National Champion.
Not too bad ey!
Date: April 10
Tickets available from or call 1300 660 013
How much does it cost?
Deadly Funny is open to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders, who are not fully professional comedy performers.
Entry is free. Food is provided at all workshops.
Tickets to the local gig and the Grand Final will cost something, but not much.
Any questions?
Phone Deadly Funny Producer Jason Tamiru on 03 9245 3700 or email him on jason@comedyfestival.com.au
Come on you mob sign up and lets put on a show that our community will be proud of.
Deadly Funny - Laugh Your MOOM off!
Jason Tamiru
Producer Deadly Funny
Yorta Yorta.
