Five local acts not to miss at the Canberra Comedy Festival
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There’s sure to be a show on this list that will tickle your funny bone.
The 2025 Canberra Comedy Festival is almost here, and with an overflowing program full of local and international stars, here are some more shows you need to put into your calendar.
Get ready to chuckle, because from fan favourites to some new up and comers, from Wednesday 12 until Sunday 23 March these local comedians will be cracking jokes all over the capital.
Dept of Rock ‘n ROFL
It’s without a doubt Canberra’s coolest department (sorry VisitCanberra) and now The Dept of Rock will be bringing a mash-up of Countdown, Utopia and Rockwiz to Smiths Alternative for twohilarious and music-filled nights.
Shining a light on shadowy government offices and revealing what’s keeping public officials up at night, from asking “Is falling asleep in a meeting really that bad?” to “Will ChatGPT replace me, and do I care?” they’ll spend two hours bringing two hours of frank, fearless and hilarious musical satire about the wild and wacky world of the public service.
Who could say no to a night of Canberra-centric clever commentary and live music?
Wednesday 12 and 19 March | Smiths Alternative, 76 Alinga Street, City | Book here.
The Women’s Room – Underestimated
Okay, we know – there’s (usually) nothing good about a threequel. But when three local queens of comedy walk into the Courtyard Studio for the third iteration of the Women’s Room, you’ll want to get your hands on tickets.
But what’s new? Well, Trish Hurley has a new job (she’s the personality hire), Tan Losanno is balancing her hormones and her teenagers (don’t ask) and Jacqui Richards is dodging match makers and public servants whilst wondering whether her kids have actually ever told her the truth about anything.
Drawing on their busy, active, funny lives, they’re daring you to underestimate them as they attempt to break the threequel curse. The question is, should you?
Thursday 13 and Sunday 16 March | Canberra Theatre Centre, Courtyard Studio, Theatre Lane, City | Book here.
ANU Law Revue – A Sketch Comedy Show!
It’s Canberra’s longest-running student comedy show, so you know it’s going to be good – and the ANU Law Revue is anything but your standard legal briefing. Written and performed by students from any degree at the Australian National University, it’s a staple of the Canberra Comedy Festival and is known for shattering the fourth wall (and throwing in the words ‘law’, ‘court’ and ‘government’ every so often).
Dissecting and parodying our legal, cultural, and political landscapes with excruciating honesty, if it’s been around since 1972 it’s probably worth seeing in 2025.
Friday 14 March | Canberra Theatre Centre, Courtyard Studio, Theatre Lane, City | Book here.
Anneli Cole & Jeffrey Charles – Big Smoke, Big Roundabouts
From the big city lights of Sydney to the mild-mannered lanes of Canberra; Anneli and Jeffrey have seen much of what middle class Australia has to offer, and they have some thoughts. In this show, they share these thoughts.
In this hour of laugher, Anneli will talk a little bit too much about her personal life and struggles with mental health while Jeffrey shares his apparent surprise at finding himself a teacher and married with kids (which he explores through song).
Because like all other middle-class millennials they often find themselves caught between two worlds – one of responsibility, the reality of ageing and that of just wanting to remain carefree and live like a wombat.
Honestly? Same.
Saturday 15 March | Street Theatre, Street Two, Childers Street, City | Book here.
Nick Starkey and Charlotte Kuruc – The Marketplace Of Bad Ideas
It’s basically all in the show name. These two local comedians feel like they’ve never had a good idea, so why not turn it into a joke?
Revelling in the dark absurdity of the world while cracking some subversive jokes, Charlotte Kuruc and Nick Starkey will be taking to the stage to share their bad ideas with an audience. Think of it as…test control. Don’t miss these young up and comers!
Sunday 16 March | Canberra Theatre Centre, Courtyard Studio, Theatre Lane, City | Book here.
Feature image: The Women’s Room.
