A host of Melbourne International Comedy Festival comics gather to explore how comedy survives, thrives and occasionally lands a punch on authoritarianism.

The powerful often say they have a sense of humour. This turns out to be true – provided the joke is about someone else.

From public denunciations to legal action and intimidation, comedians across the world are increasingly required to work within narrowing spaces, where the right punchline at the expense of the wrong politician carries the risk of personal and professional consequences. When laughter is policed this closely, what does it reveal about the strength – and fragility – of power?

Join host Tom Ballard alongside leading comic voices Bahaa Dabbagh, Leon Filewood and Sam Jay for a timely conversation on the role and power of comedy in an age of rising authoritarianism.

Presented in partnership with Melbourne International Comedy Festival 

The sell-out Melbourne Fringe hit returns for six shows only!

A weekly stand-up gig. Backstage.

In between their sets, five comedians are laughing, bitching and talking shit.

It’s all fun and games… until they hear the news: a legend has died.

Depending on who you ask, he either leaves behind a lifetime of laughter, or a legacy of bigotry and pain. Or maybe both. Or neither…

The comics get stuck in: was this guy actually funny, or just embarrassing? Is being “funny” all that matters, anyway? What’s even the point of telling jokes? How much harm (or good) can they ever do? How dark and f#%ked up can you go? Who can say what – and who decides?

As the gig carries on in the background, the comics go to war on ‘The Big Question’ – what is comedy even for?

A new (funny) play about what it means to be funny.

Starring Bev Killick (Deadloch), Kevin Hofbauer (Dear Life), Tom Ballard (Tonightly), Tiana Hogben (Thank God You’re Here) and Lauren Bonner (Going Under).

Written by Tom Ballard.

Directed by Ben Russell (Thank God You’re Here).

Longlisted for the 2025 Griffin Award.

‘Clever, illuminating.’ ★★★★ The Age

‘Acerbic and flat-out hilarious.’ ★★★★★ Tinsel & Tap Shoes

‘A wonderfully, tightly written commentary on comedy today.’ ★★★★ Theatre Matters

Content warning: this play includes very strong coarse language, adult themes, black humour and the use of certain slurs relating to disability, race and gender.