Stand up for laugh fest
JEWISH comedians from Melbourne, Sydney and the United States are among the hundreds of comedians performing in the Melbourne International Comedy Festival that got underway this week.
Billed as the third biggest comedy festival in the world – after Edinburgh and Montreal – it attracts more than 500,000 fans to see 5000 performances.
Among the international stand-up comics making their festival debut are Moshe Kasher and Marc Maron, both from Los Angeles.
Before flying to Australia, Kasher told The AJN: “My shows are comedic genius and humility and I never deviate from those themes!”
Maron, who is well known to TV fans for his appearances on Conan O’Brien’s former late-night show, Comedy Central and HBO specials, explains his comedy style: “The way I approach things is with debate, which is so Jewish an entry point.”
Sydney comedian Dave Bloustien plans to take audiences on a roller-coaster ride with his new solo show, A Complete History of Western Philosophy.
“People are not going to learn a great deal about philosophy, as it’s a comedy show, but I hope they’ll come away uplifted and entertained,” explained Bloustien.
Melbourne-born actress and comedian Lisa Fineberg is making her debut in the festival with her solo show, Mermaids Can’t Ride Bikes.
Jack Levi, who has been performing his Elliot Goblet character for 30 years, established his own comedy venue, the Crimson Goat Cabaret Club in Albert Park, last year in response to the lack of opportunities for budding comics, and will stage two “super” shows as part of the festival.
“It’s very disappointing that so many great acts out there are not able to do great rooms outside comedy festival time,” Levi says.
A new film produced by Shana Levine based on “Little Johnny” jokes titled Little Johnny The Movie premieres as part of the comedy festival with screenings at the Greater Union Cinemas.
The Melbourne International Comedy Festival is at various venues from March 30 to April 24. Enquiries: www.comedyfestival.com.au.
REPORT: DANNY GOCS
PHOTO: Comedian Dave Bloustien has a new comedy festival show.
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