2022 Gala and Opening Night hosts announced

Friday 4 March, 2022

The Gala, which for the 25th year will proudly support the work of Oxfam, will be hosted by the luminescent Steph Tisdell. Steph was set to host the 2020 Gala before it was cancelled, so will finally take to the stage this year - marking the first time a solo First Nations comedian has hosted the Festival’s much-loved kick-off event.

Then one week later, the impressively dapper Rhys Nicholson will take on hosting duties for the Opening Night Comedy Allstars Supershow. Straight from the set of RuPaul’s Drag Race Down Under, Rhys will no doubt frock up and rock up for the fabulous, official opening night of the 2022 Festival!

Featuring a sensational line-up of the biggest names of the Festival and the brightest new stars of comedy, together on the iconic Palais Theatre stage, The Gala and Opening Night Allstars Comedy Supershow are sure to raise the roof and fill the city with laughter.

The Gala supporting Oxfam takes place on Wednesday 23 March, then the Opening Night Comedy Allstars Supershow on Wednesday 30 March. The Gala will air in two parts on ABC TV and iview from Wednesday 30 March and the Opening Night Comedy Allstars Supershow from Wednesday 13 April.

Both shows are sold out, but to be notifed first of future ticket releases add the show to your favourites (click the heart in the top corner of the show image on The Gala or Opening Night Comedy Allstars Supershow page). 

Tune into the Gala and Opening Night Comedy Allstars Supershow on ABC TV + ivew - kicking off Wednesdays across the Festival from 30 March.

You can also catch Steph Tisdell from 12-24 April at Melbourne Town Hall – click here for more info and tickets. And Rhys Nicholson from 31 March – 24 April at Forum Melbourne – click here for more info and tickets.