If autumn’s comedy events are anything to go by, there’s a new season to be merry.
Lovers of the British comedy series The Mighty Boosh will freak out over the news that one half of the show's comedy duo is coming to Perth as part of the Perth Comedy Festival. Three-time award winner of Shockwaves NME Best TV Award, The Mighty Boosh has a cult following the world over for its bizarre characters, and absurd plotlines – as well as the perfect stooge-and-banana man pairing of Julian Barratt and Noel Fielding. Noel, who plays the childlike Vince Noir (as well as bit parts like The Moon, and the Baileys Irish Cream-obsessed Old Gregg), is endearing on stage and off, with a wide-eyed daftness and an affinity for the absurd. He's joined by special guest Mike Fielding, who plays hookah-enthusiast Naboo on Boosh. Perth Convention Centre, April 24-25 Pick from Ronan Freeburn, Perth comedy expert and event organiser at Vulture Culture
There's not a glimmer of hesitation or awkwardness in Pablo Francisco's shows – in fact, his confidence and swagger on stage has earned him the epithet 'the Mick Jagger of stand-up'. Expect sly, observational humour, uncanny impersonations and an inexorable pace in his return to Australia, Here We Go Again (Back in the Outback). Pablo's forte is taking pot shots at pop culture, doing spot-on impressions of characters as varied as Arnold Schwarzenegger, Jackie Chan, a fictional Latino DJ, and 'the movie trailer voice-over guy' (yeah, you know the one). In an overseas interview, he also admitted he'd be using this show to test new material and a range of special effects, unusual for an hour-long stand-up show. Regal Theatre, April 24.
The smooth-voiced, furrow-browed Brit is no stranger to Aussie crowds, lending his humour to the panel on beloved Spicks and Specks, as well as being a veteran Melbourne Comedy Festival performer in the Great Debate for four years running. If you're ever fearful of getting picked on by a comedian, this is your show: Stephen steers clear of combative comedy, preferring to take a good-natured, friendly approach to riffing with the crowd. He'll have you cackling away and nodding your head in agreement with his country-specific jokes. His Majesty's Theatre, April 30-May 2.
Tommy Dean, ElbowSkin.
For fifteen years, the Melbourne International Comedy Festival has travelled Australia in a good old-fashioned roadshow – think shared vans, motels, dirty feet and plenty of beer and laughs for the comics. "People get a chance to see their old favourites, as well as emerging talent from overseas and Australia," says associate director Bridget Bantick. And there is something to cater to all tastes, with an MC and four acts at each show (most of which will be held at comedy hotspot His Majesty's Theatre). This June, Western Australian audiences can look forward to "fresh faces that won't cross over with the Perth Comedy Fest", says Bridget, including Rhys Nicholson and more seasoned comics like true-blue musical duo ElbowSkin. As you might imagine, what gets the laughs in central Melbourne may not be as much of a hit in Merredin, so the comedians love to "tailor the pace and jokes to fit certain crowds". They often find the most outrageous laughs come from towns that aren't big enough to show up on the map. Various venues, TBA. Pick from John Day, Minister for Culture and the Arts
Rhys Nicholson
Arts Comedy Events