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Cheeky and loud, black and proud, Deadly Funny is Melbourne International Comedy Festival’s national comedy competition unearthing the freshest and funniest First Nations talent from across the country.
Deadly Funny is a national comedy competition open to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders over the age of 18. We want you to get behind the mic and work with some of Australia’s finest First Nations comedians and storytellers.
Entering its 16th year, Deadly Funny has seen the likes Steph Tisdell, Kevin Kropinyeri, Andy Saunders, Shiralee Hood, Dane Simpson and Sean Choolburra join the program as both participants and mentors – and you could be next!
To participate, all you need is five minutes of funny material. Material can be stand up, musical, sketch, physical/dance or character based, or simply the telling of a good yarn. You can participate as a solo, duo or trio. Sign up, come along, run through your ideas with a professional comedian in a three-hour workshop, and then jump on stage for a public performance.
Need more reasons to enter? Those who progress from their heat will be flown to Melbourne to perform at the 2022 Melbourne International Comedy Festival and compete for the Deadly Funny crown and a $2,000 cash prize!
Head over to our YouTube channel to watch performances from past Deadly Funny national finalists.
For info on what the judges are looking for read the Deadly Funny judging policy here.
Registrations for Deadly Funny are currently closed. Check back later in the year and follow us on Facebook for updates.
How do you write material?
What if you bomb on stage?
What is the secret to success?
We think the best people to answer these questions are the comedians who’ve “been there, done that”!
We asked some of Australia’s funniest folk for tips and tricks to get you started on your comedy journey and they’ve given candid answers to tricky questions. Join Rhys Nicholson, Dane Simpson, Cal Wilson, Ivan Aristeguieta, Michelle Brasier, Geraldine Hickey, Claire Hooper and Annie Louey, as they guide you through writing jokes, stagecraft and everything in between.
But first…
Why try comedy? Hear from Ivan, Michelle, Geraldine, Claire, Annie, Rhys, Dane and Cal in this in introductory video on why you should give comedy a go!
To access the full series of video resources simply register for Deadly Funny and we’ll email you all videos, including: how to write material, what not to do, what to do before hitting the stage, what to keep in mind on stage, what are the judges looking for, what if you bomb and how to use the stage.
These invaluable resources are exclusively available for Deadly Funny participants.
Melbourne International Comedy Festival openly encourages participation from people of all backgrounds and abilities, and is committed to providing a safe, inclusive and respectful environment for all. If you need any assistance with your registration or have any questions regarding the physical requirements to compete in the Deadly Funny workshop and competition, please contact deadlyfunny@comedyfestival.com.au or (03) 9245 3700.
DEADLY FUNNY 2022 COMPETITION CALENDAR |
Deadly Funny workshops and heats will take place prior to the National Grand Final at the Melbourne International Comedy Festival in April 2022.
The safety and wellbeing of mob is our absolute priority. We’ve been working closely with our partners to make sure our state heats can proceed in the safest way given the surge of COVID cases. Some events will need to be postponed and rescheduled, check back for updates.
Event | Date | Times | Venue | Tickets |
Adelaide, SA - Tarntanya | 6pm performance |
CANCELLED | ||
Melbourne, VIC - Naarm | Fri 11 Mar | 4pm workshop 7pm performance |
Northcote Town Hall | |
Darwin, NT - Garramilla | Tue 15 Mar | 4pm workshop 7pm performance |
Darwin Entertainment Centre |
|
Sydney, NSW - Djubuguli/Cadi | Sat 12 Mar | 2pm workshop 5pm performance |
The Comedy Store | |
Brisbane, QLD - Meanjin | Thu 24 Mar | 4pm workshop 7pm performance |
Citipointe Church West | |
Canberra, ACT - Ngambri | TBC | TBC | Tuggeranong Arts Centre | |
Alice Springs, NT - Mparntwe | TBC | TBC | Araluen Cultural Precinct | |
Fremantle, WA - Walyalup | TBC | TBC | Fremantle Arts Centre | |
Thursday Island, QLD - Waibene | TBC | TBC | TBC | |
Townsville, QLD - Thul Garrie Waja/Currumbilbarra | TBC | TBC | TBC | |
Katherine, NT | Postponed | Postponed | Godinymayin Yijard Rivers Arts & Culture Centre | |
National Grand Final | Sat 16 Apr | 3pm | Forum Melbourne 2022 Melbourne International Comedy Festival |
BOOK NOW |
Check back later for more information on Deadly Funny events dates or follow us on Facebook to stay up to date!
COVIDSafe Comedy - for more information on the Festival's COVIDSafe practices and to read a copy of our COVIDSafe Plans click here.
Deadly Funny is supported through the Australian Government's Indigenous Languages and Arts program.
Have more questions about Deadly Funny? Check out our FAQs page.
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