The Canberra Comedy Festival is back! Here are eight acts that can’t be missed

Posted on 15 March, 2022

After a global pandemic, and the postponement of the 2021 festival (twice!) the Canberra Comedy Festival is finally roaring back to the nation’s capital.

Taking place from Wednesday 16 March until Saturday 26 March at various times and venues, the special 10-day edition of the festival will feature a huge line-up of shows that will keep you chuckling and guffawing long after it ends. 

According to the festival’s associate director James Stevenson– in all seriousness– the Canberra Comedy Festival is ‘“absolutely thrilled” to be able to bring local and international acts back to the stage after three years of cancellations.

“To put on regular shows, in regular theatres without restriction, with comedians who are able to travel across borders, we can get your big stars and local favourites in. Just having the capacity to deliver an event that feels fun and normal is so exciting,” he says. 

With a huge range of festival favourites, comedy superstars, international acts and hand-picked up and comers scheduled across the week, James says the line-up is perfect for Canberra who (unsurprisingly) is one of the best comedy audiences in the world. 

“They’re very astute…a tiny bit political but they love their filth,” he says. 

“It’s a real cross-section of people, they really enjoy comedy and they let the performer know about it.”

So in honour of our political yet filthy sense of humour, here’s a list of eight acts that can’t be missed (including a few suggestions from James himself!). 

Nurse Georgie Carroll – Sista Flow 2.0

Extremely hilarious but topical, Nurse Georgie Carroll will talk about her perspective as a nurse who went back to work on the front line during the pandemic. She might have stepped away from comedy for a while but her hour of unfiltered hospital banter WILL crack you up. 

Thursday 24 March | The Playhouse at The Canberra Theatre Centre

Kirsty Webeck – Silver Linings

The Canberra raised, Melbourne-based professional stand-up comedian has been taking her shows to the next (virtual) level hosting Zoom comedy shows since 2020, but now she’s back home, spinning silver linings into comedy gold on stage!

Thursday 24 March | Street 1 at The Street Theatre

Aaron Chen – Sorry Forever 

Making his mark in Australian comedy with his debut solo show entitled ‘The Infinite Faces Of Chenny Baby’, Sydney local Aaron Chen is making his way to Canberra to bring you the freshest and most splendid comedy you will have ever seen. 

As the Winner of Best Newcomer at the 2017 Melbourne International Comedy Festival and Sydney Comedy Festival, host of Aaron Chen Tonight and hilarious receptionist in comedy TV show Fisk on the ABC, expect a stone-cold killer with exquisite mic technique. 

Thursday  24 March and Friday 25 March | The Playhouse at The Canberra Theatre Centre

Lizzy Hoo – Hoo Cares?

Debuting her first solo show Hoo Am I? (What’s My Name?) at the 2019 Melbourne International Comedy Festival and Sydney Comedy Festival, Lizzy (pictured) is known for discussing her Chinese Malaysian/Irish Australian mixed-race heritage, and her one-of-a-kind father– and Brisbane ukulele personality– Chan.

Now she’s back with a brand-new show about life, family, and what happens to our shoes when we die.

Thursday 24 March | The Courtyard Studio at The Canberra Theatre Centre

Nick Cody – Classique Cody (Best Of)

This red-bearded d*ckhead (his words, not ours) is bringing premium classics from the last few sold-out, critically acclaimed tours, back to the stage for the final time.

As seen on The Project, CONAN, The Gala, Have You Been Paying Attention, and more, it’s the perfect opportunity to grab your Loose Units, and join Old Mate Cru$her for a night of Classique Cody that will be On Fire.

Saturday 26 March | The Big Band Room at The ANU

Chris Ryan – Can’t Complain

A journalist, a Mum and a woman with the uncanny ability to crack up audiences of hundreds with her instantly relatable and hilarious observations about Canberra, Chris Ryan is back in the capital to talk to us about how her special skill is making life harder than it needs to be. Still, others are worse off, so she can’t complain.

Thursday 24 March and Friday 25 March | The Courtyard Studio at The Canberra Theatre Centre

Stephen K Amos – Before and Laughter

We haven’t had a British comedian in Canberra for a while so Stephen K Amos is a must-see. Stephen has had his share of highs and lows and when the world gives him lemons, he adds gin, tonic, ice and a healthy dose of humour. 

Saturday 26 March | Canberra Theatre

Festival Club 

A festival insider favourite, this show is where all the comedians come to congregate and entertain with short sets of material.  A mix of locals and legends, the line-ups aren’t published, and once tickets are sold, they’re gone for good. 

And yes–the bar will be staying open late. 

Saturday 26 March | The Big Band Room at The ANU