with Chris Marlton
The biggest names in comedy are descending on Canberra once again, but the Canberra Comedy Festival is not just about bringing the internationals.
This year’s Canberra contingent is bigger and better than ever, with another raft of locally-brewed laughs from the region’s top comics on offer, from dinky-dye residents to returning heroes.
Here are some local shows you have to see:
Anneli Cole & Jeffrey Charles – Big Smoke, Big Roundabouts
Split-bill comedy from two of Canberra’s best. This new show sees Anneli share about her personal life and struggles with mental health and Jeffrey’s apparent surprise at being a teacher and married with kids. Jeff’s songs are an unparalleled journey of energy and hilarity. Anneli’s powerful stage presence is matched only by her sharp writing and daring delivery. This show will be very good.
Fri 15 March, 7:45pm, Street Theatre, Street Two.
Tom Gibson – Bored and Scared
Canberra-born and bred and one of the best comics in Oz, Tom Gibson brings a brand new hour full of clever observations and hilarious comparisons.
His new show contrasts each generation’s childhoods in search of The Best, with cheeky nostalgia and, perhaps, a deeper meaning to be found by the end. Great observational comedy from a comedian at the peak of his powers.
Fri 14 & Sat 15 March @ 8pm – Fun Time Pony
Carlo Ritchie – A Bit Of This, A Bit of That
With TV appearances on Thank God You’re Here and Celebrity Letters and Numbers under his belt, Carlo Ritchie’s thoughts span the ages, from hard truths about moving to modern-day Canberra to harder truths about the Austro-Hungarian Empire. No one is safe in this energetic and clever show. A powerhouse experience from start to finish, this is another must-see for the 2025 comedy fest.
Fri 14 March @ 8pm – Courtyard Studio
The Women’s Room – Underestimated
Trish Hurley, Tan Losanno and Jacqui Richards are back with their new show, Underestimated. Trish Hurley has a new job; Tan Losanno is balancing her hormones and her teenagers (don’t ask); and Jacqui Richards is dodging matchmakers and public servants whilst wondering whether her kids have ever told her the truth… about anything. Big laughs are guaranteed from this comedy trio powerhouse.
Thurs, 13 March @ 7pm – Canberra Theatre, Courtyard Studio
Chelsea Heaney – Big Pants
A twice RAW Comedy state finalist, Chelsea is back in Canberra to bring her composed and poignant yet hilarious persona to her hometown audiences with her new show Big Pants. There’s nothing Chelsea can’t do, except find her luggage on a Contiki tour. She’ll tell you all about it, and you’ll love hearing it.
Fri 14 March @ 7:45pm, The Street Theatre
Suma Iyer and Felix McCarthy – Realistic Beauty Standards
[Rescheduled] Two hilariously different and magnetically funny comedians in a split-bill hour, this is a must-see show this year. RAW Comedy National Finalist, the endlessly talented Suma Iyer, cleverly constructs elaborate and relatable comedic tales that you’ll be laughing at long after the show ends. Felix McCarthy is a sight to behold; humour reverberates out of every sentence as Felix turns mundane thoughts into flights of fancy, with the audience always happily along for the ride.
New date is Fri 16 May @ 7pm – Fun Time Pony
Laura Johnston – 3am Thoughts
The globe-trotting Laura Johnston has been sharing her humour and putting Canberra on the comedy map this past year. Now— following sold-out shows at 2024’s festival and a stirring encore at the Canberra Theatre in October—her new show, 3am Thoughts, will have you laughing and thinking for days. Relatable, talented, unstoppable – Laura Johnston’s rise continues unabated. Do not miss.
Fri 14 & Sat 15 March @ 6:30pm, The Street Theatre, Street Two
Jeremy Smith – ImMature
Following his sold-out 2024 show, Jeremy Smith returns in 2025 to ask himself, and anyone who’ll listen, where did life go wrong? Great lines, clever observations and dry wit from Jeremy will have you enraptured and in stitches.
Sat 15 March @ 9pm, The Street Theatre
Stell Muses, Seany Boy and Nathan Hillman – The Unholy Trinity of Music, Death and Politics
Stell Muses will take you on a funny journey through the end of life, proving that even death has its lighter side. Then aspiring politician Seany Boy will deliver the inside scoop
on the absurdities of government with razor-sharp humour that hits almost too close to home. Lastly, Nathan Hillman is a deep, soulful musical comedy by a fun and funny man.
Wed 12 March 2025, 8:30pm, Canberra Theatre Centre, Courtyard Studio
Caitlin Maggs – Sparkles
From winning a RAW comedy state final with one of her first-ever gigs to debuting her first-ever solo show at the Canberra Comedy Festival, the naturally funny and effortlessly charismatic storyteller comedian Caitlin Maggs will have you wrapped around her little finger and laughing hysterically.
Thur 13 & Fri 21 Mar @ 6:15pm Fun Time Pony
Chris Ryan – Extreme Tenant
Her comedy career has taken Chris Ryan all around, but she’s back in Canberra this March to tell you all about it. Chris has a way of viewing and explaining the world that will have you rolling in the aisles. Her unique takes on life’s frustrations are insightful and poignant; Chris is one of the best comics around. Her new show, Extreme Tennant, talks about life’s challenges in a relatable and laugh-out-loud way.
Fri 14 March, 7pm, Street Theatre, Street One
Holly Hazlewood & Chris Knight – TransFat
Split-bill show from fresh new comedians on the Canberra scene. Holly Hazlewood offers a unique perspective on her rollercoaster life while giving audiences a chance to walk a mile in her stilettos. Chris Knight explores a bumpy, brilliant and bear-filled journey to becoming a father, answering tricky Qs like: Where do babies come from? What is a bear? And who would win in a fight between Dorothy the Dinosaur and Bluey?
Wed 19 March @ 8:30pm – Fun Time Pony
Emma Holland – Don’t Touch My Trinkets
Emma Holland’s career has gone from strength to strength in recent years, with regular TV appearances and a nomination for the best show at the Melbourne International Comedy Festival; you won’t want to miss her new outing. Emma will take you on a giddy tour of her treasures and wares. Likely to sell out, grab your tickets quick.
Fri 21 & Sat 22 March @ 9pm The Street Theatre
Community Noticeboard – Live
One of Canberra Comedy’s favourite sons, 2017 RAW Comedy National Finalist Drew Bensley is back in town with his hit podcast Community Noticeboard at the Comedy Festival for a fun new live episode! Alex White, Jamie Kirk and Drew will get into it with the crowd’s stories and gossip with help from a few special guests.
Sat 15 March @ 4pm – Canberra Theatre, Courtyard Studio
Nick Starkey and Charlotte Kuruc – The Marketplace Of Bad Ideas
Storming onto the local comedy scene, Nick and Charlotte are two rising stars. Two-time state RAW Comedy finalists (back again this year!), these two comedians have innovative styles that’ll keep you laughing through the night. This split-bill show will highlight the rampant energy and abrupt thoughts of comedian avenger Starkey while allowing you to see Kuruc’s outrageous and clever comedic insights.
Sun 16 March @ 8pm – Canberra Theatre, Courtyard Studio
Stuckey, Carruthers and Tomic – Road Dogs Ride Again
The analytical and relentlessly funny Harris Stuckey, the master of charts and curated comedic sentences Phill Carruthers and THE Anthony Tomic are back in Canberra this festival in a split-bill tripleheader of such gargantuan size that you won’t be able to watch it without a permit. A BIG LAUGHS PERMIT, FOR ALL OF THE BIG, THICK LAUGHS (it’s gonna be huge).
Thur 14 March, 6:15pm – Fun Time Pony
