To kick off Sydney Comedy Festival this year, Sydney Opera House’s “serious” Concert Hall played host to a stellar lineup of some of the funniest international stars, Australian legends, and next-big-things in comedy.
The opening night Gala allowed guests the knee-slapping, belly-aching, cheeks-sore-from-laughing pleasure of hearing five minutes from 16 diverse and amusing voices — all of whom will perform independent shows throughout Sydney Comedy Festival 22 April – 19 May.
British funny-man Joe Lycett took on the role of Master of Ceremonies. Better known as a Master of Comedy, guests loved the way Lycett sauntered on and off stage introducing acts, commanding attention and controlling audience cheers with hand movements, and a healthy dose of endearing sarcasm.
In between playfully teasing bashful front-row guests, telling tales of trolling his local jewellery engravers, and bagging out anyone who over-shares pics of their baby online — Lycett put the comedy crowd in high spirits, and high expectation for the caliber of talent to follow.
This year’s lineup did not disappoint.
If you’d have gone to the Gala, you would’ve enjoyed a host of outstanding and hilarious comedic talent hailing from all over the world (United Kingdom, Scotland, Venezuela, and New Zealand). Among others, you might’ve caught Aussie comic Tom Ballard lament the plight of millenials, Phill Jupitus give his best animal-sound impressions, Venezuelan comic Ivan Aristeguieta chat about how he learnt how to speak “Strayan”, and even hear The Chaser’s ‘War on the f*#king Election’ piece, which was local, hilarious, and timely political commentary.
The Gala comedy spoke to young and old, men and women, rich and poor, black and white, the queer, the straight, and everyone in between. Now in its 15th Annual year, the Festival’s gala show managed to reflect the downright easy-going, can-take-a-joke, brilliant sense-of-humour we know and love about Australian audiences. No joke, every act had the audience howling in laughter.
All 16 comics are performing independent shows throughout Sydney Comedy Festival 2019, so be sure to grab some mates and book in for a giggle.
– Jill
Jill is a Sydney-based journalist who believes life’s better when you’re laughing. Follow her on Instagram.
The Sydney Comedy Festival 2019 runs from 22 April – 19 May. Buy tickets now.
