Wagga Comedy Fest will deliver all the laughs with its largest festival to date over the June long weekend from 8 to 11 June.
Presenting 22 comedy shows and workshops over four days and three venues, the line-up rivals its international festival counterparts and places Wagga Wagga's local comedy festival firmly in the annual calendar of touring comedians and audiences.
Tickets are now on sale for the Wagga Comedy Fest, which features names like Tommy Little, Tripod, Lano & Woodley, Karen From Finance, Dilruk Jayasinha and ABC Radio's Thank God It's Friday.
There are musical comedians like Jude Perl and Otto & Astrid, anything goes comedians like Garry Starr and Shad & Pet, clever stand-up gigs from David Quirk and Jennifer Wong, and family-friendly laughs with The Listies and the Greatest Magic Show.
"We say it every year, but this year there really is something for everyone!" Civic Theatre Manager Isobel MacCallum said.
"If you like your comedy from big name TV comedians, we've got you covered. If you like things a little crazier and more unpredictable, you need to get your tickets for Otto & Astrid or Garry Starr."
The Riverina Comedy Club House is a new Comedy Fest venue in 2023 and will play host to a program of workshops, improvised comedy and local talent curated by the Riverina Comedy Club. Local personalities will take to the stage in the inaugural Great Wagga Comedy Fest Debate to open the Club House program on Thursday night.
Also new in 2023, Comedy Fest will deliver family friendly shows for the first time.
"We don't want kids to miss out on all the fun," Ms MacCallum said.
"This year, we have The Listies back in Wagga with their show Rolling on the Floor Laughing because who doesn't love a bit of toilet humour? And then we have the Greatest Magic Show on Sunday afternoon.
"The shows have staggered start times so you can catch as many comedians as possible each night.
"The Laugh Lounge provides a great chill out space to grab a drink and a bite with friends between those shows from Thursday to Saturday, and the heated marquee is also a great place to meet for drinks after work on Thursday and Friday night."
Happy Hour offers will be in place at the Laugh Lounge between 5-6pm Thursday and Friday to encourage local workers to pop in and sample the food, local wine and beer and of course the famous Wagga Comedy Fest Gluhwein (mulled wine).
To buy Comedy Fest tickets, visit civictheatre.com.au/comedy-fest or contact the Box Office on 6926 9688.
COMEDY FEST LINE-UP
Thursday 8 June
The Listies – Rolling On The Floor Laughing
Jennifer Wong – Has No Peripheral Vision
The Great Wagga Comedy Fest Debate
The Funny Mummies Comedy Gala
Karen From Finance – Doing Time
Friday 9 June
Stand Up Comedy Workshop
Drive With Richard Glover Featuring TGIF – broadcast live on ABC Radio
David Quirk – Astonishing Obscurity
Open Mic – Fresh Faces
Tripod
Shad & Pete – Save the World
Otto & Astrid – Joint Solo Project
Saturday 10 June
Clowning Workshop with Jeromaia Detto
Dilruk Jayasinha – Heart Stopper
Garry Starr – Performs Everything
Lano & Woodley – Moby Dick
Jude Perl's Greatest Hits: So Fresh Winter 2023
Tommy Little – LIVE!
The Dane Simpson - Variety Hour
Otto & Astrid – Joint Solo Project
Sunday 11 June
The Greatest Magic Show
Adults Only Magic Show
