Need a laugh? Catch the rising stars of this year’s Comedy Festival

Article by Joanne Brookfield

For those in desperate need of a laugh after so many lockdowns, the Melbourne International Comedy Festival makes a welcome return on March 30. And with more than 450 shows scheduled, comedy is back where it belongs – live and on stages throughout the city and suburbs.

How do you decide what to see? Catch a favourite performer but also take a chance. Here are five acts you may not have heard of before, although they won’t stay under the radar for long.

Annie and Lena were nominated for a comedy award at Melbourne Fringe in 2019.

Annie and Lena – Different Now

It’s likely these two abundantly talented multi-hyphenates will have a hit show on an international streaming service in a few years. Actor Annie Lumsden and TV writer Lena Moon write, perform, improvise and sing. This Is Our Pilot, their 2019 debut about “farts, feminism and feeling good about yourself”, was a slick, solid start and earned them a best comedy nomination at Melbourne Fringe that year. With a web series also under their belt, the sketch duo are making a welcome return to the stage with Different Now.