The Melbourne International Comedy Festival Roadshow is hitting the road and bringing the laughs to the Pilbeam Theatre on Friday 26 June, delivering a fast‑paced, side‑splitting showcase of the very best comedy talent from Australia and beyond, all packed into one unmissable night of comic treats.
For almost three decades the Melbourne International Comedy Festival has been touring far and wide, bringing giggles, guffaws and good times to Australia - and now it's Rockhampton's turn!
Rockhampton crowds can expect four seriously funny humans who collectively boast more awards, TV credits and cult followings than most group chats. Expect offbeat brilliance and razor‑sharp observations from Taskmaster Australia champion Danielle Walker; dry, delightfully cutting comedy from international breakout He Huang; smart, self-aware laughs from acclaimed writer‑performer Suren Jayemanne; and high‑energy, award‑winning stand‑up from festival favourite Takashi Wakasugi (Waka), whose shows sell out faster than festival bar queues. Together, they deliver a night of world‑class comedy that proves Australia's funniest people are very, very good at their jobs.
Experience the fun of Australia's largest comedy festival in your own backyard. Get more laughs for less with discounted group bookings of four or more. Book your seats now and get on board the Roadshow!
Tickets are on sale now from the Pilbeam Theatre Box Office, by phoning (07) 4927 4111 and online at www.seeitlive.com.au
The Melbourne International Comedy Festival Roadshow is part of Rockhampton Regional Council's 2026 See It Live season.
Comedian Bios
Danielle Walker | Danielle grew up in Far North Queensland. She is known for her offbeat comedy and in 2015 she moved from Townsville to Melbourne to pursue stand-up comedy. In 2016 she won Australia's Largest Comedy competition RAW Comedy and in 2018 she won the coveted Best Newcomer Award at the Melbourne International Comedy Festival (MICF) which secured her a solo run at the Soho Theatre in London.
In 2022, Danielle was nominated for Most Outstanding Show at MICF and she won the Pinder Prize which helped take her show Nostalgia to the Edinburgh Fringe Festival.
In 2023 she won the first season of Taskmaster Australia and starred in the ABC/CBS co-production Gold Diggers as Marigold Brewer.
He Huang | Skyrocketing to international recognition after her audition on Australia's Got Talent, Chinese superstar He Huang is wowing comedy audiences across the globe with her irreverent blend of dry wit, sarcasm and hilarious observations of family life, cultural differences and language.
Suren Jayemanne | Suren is a stand-up comedian, writer and actor. While not himself an industry darling, he regularly plays squash with some, making him industry darling adjacent. Suren was selected for the prestigious Moosehead Award in 2023 for his show The Bag of Vegeta which wowed critics and audiences alike at the Melbourne International Comedy Festival.
In addition to once lurking up the back of a Thor film, Suren is the creator and host of SBS Food's Good Tucker, his stand up special featured on ABC's Comedy Next Gen (2018) and he has appeared on Comedy Up Late (ABC), Question Everything (ABC), The Cook Up (SBS) and Celebrity Letters & Numbers (SBS). He is also a writer for The Project (TEN) and Wil Anderson's Question Everything (ABC).
Takashi Wakasugi (Waka) | Waka is fast becoming one of the most beloved and in demand comedians in the country. After moving to Australia as a student from his native Japan, Waka started performing comedy and quickly began touring the festival circuit - with seasons in Perth, Adelaide, Sydney and Melbourne.
He has scooped prestigious awards and nominations at the acclaimed Melbourne International Comedy Festival and in 2024 toured his show to the New Zealand Comedy Festival and Edinburgh Fringe, performing at Assembly to sold out crowds.
2024 saw Waka become a regular fixture on our tv screens with appearances on Thank God You're Here (TEN), Question Everything (ABC) and The Cook Up with Adam Liaw (SBS).
In 2025 he appeared as a contestant on Season 4 of Taskmaster AUS and toured his new show Comedy Samurai across Australia and New Zealand.
WINNER: 2023 Directors' Choice Award Melbourne International Comedy Festival
NOMINEE: 2024 Melbourne International Comedy Festival Award for Most Outstanding Show
'Exquisite stand-up.' ★★★★ Chortle (UK)
'Abundant pleasure... It's a genuine joy to be insulted by him.' ★★★★ The Scotsman (UK)
'Funny, clever and insightful.' ★★★★ ArtsHub
About the Show
Melbourne International Comedy Festival proudly presents the Melbourne International Comedy Festival Roadshow, delivering a seamless, ultra‑hilarious night of stand‑up featuring some of the festival's best‑loved performers.
'A seamless and ultra-hilarious evening!' Scenestr
'We were laughing from the moment the lights went down, to well into the drive home.' Scenestr
'Side-splitting fun, razor-sharp, high velocity wit.' Daily Examiner, Grafton (NSW)
'Melbourne Comedy Festival Roadshow… has everyone's humour covered.' The Sunday Times (WA)
The Rockhampton leg of the Roadshow is hosted by Tim Hewitt with special guests Danielle Walker, He Huang, Suren Jayemanne and Takashi Wakasugi (Japan). Host Tim is a regular on the festival circuit and a staple of the Melbourne bar comedy scene plus host of cult comedy show 'Crab Lab', and notorious satirical sketch show 'Big Hewy's Footy Show'.
Content Warning: Performances often contain coarse language, adult themes, sexual references and material that may offend. The show is recommended for people aged 15 years or older. Smoke Machine/Hazer may be used during this performance.
Running Time: Approximately 2 hours including 20 minutes interval.
About the Pilbeam Theatre
The Pilbeam Theatre is Central Queensland's leading performing arts venue, presenting a vibrant year‑round program of local, national and international entertainment. Since opening in 1979, the Council-owned theatre has hosted iconic performers, major touring productions and the region's most loved community arts groups. Welcoming more than 61,000 patrons annually, the Pilbeam Theatre remains a cultural cornerstone championing creativity, celebrating talent and bringing world‑class live performance to audiences in Rockhampton.
