28 March - 21 April
Tue-Sat: 9:00pm
Sun: 8:00pm

As seen on Deadloch, Taskmaster Australia and Utopia.

Nina Oyama is a 30 year old comedian who doesn’t really know what she’s doing or where she’s going.

But one thing is for certain. She is coming :)

“Nina Oyama is not a gentle or family-friendly comedian. What she is, though, is filthy, whip-smart and screamingly funny” Time Out  

“A natural at comedy” Chortle

“Male stand-ups have been doing jokes about self-pleasure since, well, forever, and now it’s Nina’s turn to go all in.” The Age  

28 March - 20 April, 10:30pm

A festival night isn’t over ‘til you’ve experienced our Late Show!

Kick on past bedtime at Comedy Republic every Thursday, Friday and Saturday of the festival with raucous line-ups of comedians ready to party. Plus, join us for extra special Easter Sunday edition.

Expect loads of spontaneous late night antics from our special co-host combos. See all your favourites live and loose as they riff together and come up with off-the-cuff comedy gold.

We've handpicked some outrageously hot line-ups, plus, last minute surprise drop-ins aplenty! After the show, the fun continues as comedians and punters enjoy a festival nightcap in the bar.

Past co-hosts include Geraldine Hickey, Luke McGregor, Denise Scott, Randy Feltface, Rhys Nicholson, Claire Hooper and more.

Lineups to be announced closer to the performance dates

Thursday 18 April, 11:59pm

It's late at night and I'm gonna go CRAZY on this stage.

YUM YUM YUM YUM. Maybe there will be little guest appearances from someone?

SLURP'S UP

28 March - 21 April
Added Shows at Town Hall

Comedy Republic run has SOLD OUT, tickets for added shows at Town Hall 17 - 20 April available HERE

On this, the year of our Lord 2024, it’s a brand new, hour-long, stand-up comedy concert from your ol’ pal Rhys Nicholson!

Only a coward wouldn’t attend.

28 March - 21 April
Tue-Sat: 7:30pm
Sun: 6:30pm

2023 was a great year for Damien Power – He released his stand-up special 'Alone In The Crowd’ and wrote and starred in his own series ‘Expanded Minds Only', released on Grouse House TV.

In 2024, Damien is coming in hot with a new hour of must-see stand up.

Strap in for an electric night of comedy from one of the best!

Three time Nominee – Best Comedy Performer, Melbourne Comedy Festival
Winner – Pinder Prize, Melbourne Comedy Festival 2017

“He’s cooked up his best show in half a decade.” ★★★★1/2 The Age  

“Hilarious gut-punches remain a marvel to behold.” ★★★★ Chortle

19 & 20 April, 11:59pm

Up and coming comedian Andy Balloch just wanted to host his own late night variety show. Unfortunately the only guest who agreed to appear in the lineup was Her Majesty Camilla Parker Bowles.

Join Golden Gibbo winner Thomas Jaspers and Golden Gibbo nominee Andy Balloch for a late night chaotic mix of stand up, improv, parlour games and just a light touch of treason.

Get in quick - with only two nights to see these two queens go head to head, tickets will sell faster than Prince Andrew's assets.

30 March - 21 April, 3:00pm
Sat & Sun Only

Frida Kahlo and Genghis Khan met at Schoolies. Monet and Lady Di bonded at F45 classes. Plato and Ned Kelly walked the Camino together.

Damian Callinan hosts an improvised chat show with a rotating duo of the world's best comedians and improvisors taking on historical roles as they reinvent the past, revealing how they became Unlikely Friends.

JOINING DAMIAN IN THE HISTORY MOSH PIT
Saturday March 30 - Tom Gleeson & Dane Simpson
Sunday March 31 - Wil Anderson & Gillian Cosgriff
Saturday April 6 - Jason Geary & Rik Brown
Sunday April 7 - Geraldine Hickey & Andy McLelland
Saturday April 13 - Elf Lyons & Kirsty Webeck
Sunday April 14 - Brian Nankervis & Rusty Berther
Saturday April 20 - Michelle Brasier & Claire Hooper
Sunday April 21 - Sami Shah & Ivan Aristeguieta

Friends of the Friends - MULTIPLE SESSION DISCOUNT Can't choose? Now you don't have to: Book tickets to multiple sessions for a friendly discount of 2 tickets for $60*!
*Applies in multiples of 2, a minimum 1 ticket for 2 different sessions applies.
Excludes booking & credit card fees.

30 March - 20 April, 4:30pm

Something Good is long form improv at its finest from Ben Russell, Amy Ruffle, Lena Moon and Alistair Baldwin, together with big name comedian guests dropping in each show.

Featuring players fresh off Ch 10’s improv juggernaut Thank God You’re Here, Melbourne's best improv ensemble brings famous faces on stage in completely made up and always chaotic performances, inspired by the audience's suggestion.

Guests for this season include Nina Oyama, Lizzy Hoo, Cam James, Merrick Watts and more to be announced.

Past guests include Tony Martin, Adam Hills, Guy Montgomery and Virginia Gay. You never know who will turn up, or what they'll do. And neither do they.

Sunday 21 April, 1:30pm

After years of struggling with addiction Ben uses his new found sobriety as a jump off point to explore his past, his clear-headed present and ask “what’s next?”

What got him to this point and how do we move on after we’ve taken the first big steps?

An award-winning comedian known as one of Australia's best character performers, Ben Russell is presenting his first hour of stripped back and revealing stand-up. An hilarious, raw and honest account of how Ben navigated the most transformative year of his life.

After years of not being sober, now all Ben has is himself, a microphone and a fresh new hour of raw, hilarious comedy about hope, addiction and love. Back after his 2022 sold old national tour, this is his most raw and honest show ever.

Co-written and directed by creative and life partner Maggie Looke.

Every Thursday - Saturday, 8:30pm

Comedy Republic's signature lineup show!

Main Stage has quickly become our biggest show, selling out on the regular with huge all-star lineups and lively fun-loving crowds. Every Thursday, Friday and Saturday, you can be sure to catch a heap of the best comedians Melbourne and the wider world have to offer.

- - - MAIN STAGE FORMAT - - -

Main Stage (120min show, 5+ comedians, inc interval)
Thursday 8:30pm - $26
Friday 8:30pm - $29
Saturday 8:30pm - $36

- - - UPCOMING LINEUPS - - -

Coming up in April/May: Meg Jager, Han Arbuthnott, David Rose, Jordan Barr, Aiden Jones, Suren Jayemanne, Ben Russell & more

(Lineups are subject to last minute changes)

Every Tuesday from April 30, 8:30pm

New comedians doing their best, and the best comedians doing their new.

Get the crew together for cheap tickets, cheap drinks, cheap laughs. What’s not to love!

Lineups coming soon

Wednesday 1-29 May, 8:30pm

Remember school? Learning new things with mates every day?

Imagine that again - minus the exams, detentions and raging hormones in the way.

Introducing Sashi Perera’s Night School! A weekly learning utopia featuring an hour of lessons from Melbourne’s best comics and (some) actual experts.

If you’re tired of new knowledge limited to internet videos on a 3am scroll spiral in the dark - come along for lots of laughs, a little learning and absolutely no qualifications.

Saturday 4 May, 5:00pm & 7:00pm
Workshop, 1:00pm

The Bear Pack are back in Melbourne for one night only!

Join improv duo Steen Raskopoulos and Carlo Ritchie accompanied by Ange Lavoipierre on the cello for 60 minutes of improvised storytelling inspired by the audience’s suggestions.

The audience have no idea what thrilling and hilarious twisted tale they’re in for, but are guaranteed to be left in awe of the quick- witted and creative minds of these improvised comedy masterminds.

“The most joyfully exhilarating, spiritually euphoric, and creatively hilarious comedy show I have ever seen. It’s like if your imagination had an hour-long orgasm.” ★★★★★ Time Out  

The Bear Pack ONE OFF Workshop: 1pm - 4pm
This one off workshop will teach you some of the various techniques The Bear Pack showcase in their performances. You’ll learn how to play multiple characters within scenes, finding the games with your scene partner, using flashbacks effectively, creating patterns and call backs.

This workshop will also teach you the importance of grounding your absurdity with honesty and specificity. We will challenge and encourage everyone to get out of your comfort zone and your head.

First Monday Of Every Month, 7:30pm

Monthly drag bingo with your favourite nans.

Edith Vale, Maureen McGillicuddy and Caroline Springs have been hosting their sold out Granny Bingo night for 5 years. The pandemic almost took them out, but never fear; Caroline doesn't think it's real, so we're back live in the Comedy Republic bar!

And yes, you will actually play bingo! Nanna kisses xx

More events: Granny Bingo is on the first Monday of every month.

Thursday 9 May, 6:30pm

Come and see comedian and podcaster Nelly Thomas live in conversation with a cast of fabulous queerdos to celebrate IDAHOBIT: International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia and Transphobia for 2024.

Nelly will be joined by:

Scott Brennan: comedian, actor and homosexual-about-town
Geraldine Hickey: comedian and Chief Lesbo-in-Residence
Quah Ee Ling: Fire Dragon Queer Feminist
(And possibly a surprise guest or two!)

With live music from Cabaret-Comedy Superstar, Tina Del Twist.

IDAHOBIT aims to raise awareness of LGBTIQA+ rights worldwide. So come celebrate our right to love, joy, romance, sex - and all the things - from the better side of 40.

Friday 10 May, 7:00pm

UK Comedian Mat Ewins is here with an hilarious multimedia extravaganza. A quick fire barrage of manipulated clips, bespoke video games and dangerous stunts.

Nominated for the Edinburgh Fringe Comedy Award and seen on 8 Out of 10 Cats Does Countdown and Live from the BBC.

“The most consistently inventive user of video in British comedy” ★★★★ Times (UK)  

“Multimedia noodler extraordinaire...It’s ceaselessly inventive and daft” ★★★★ Guardian (UK)  

“His video sketches are visually distinctive, silly, short, surreal and hilarious” ★★★★1/2 Chortle (UK)  

17 & 18 May, 7:00pm

When starting out in standup at the age of 19, Sammy Petersen was asked to write a book from a well known publisher titled ‘Why The Long Face: the story of a boy who tried to make people laugh when he can't even smile himself.’

This was not his idea and he never did it but, after over a decade, he can’t stop thinking about it.

This is a debut solo show from the host of ‘Confessions’ about self-worth, heartbreak and if he does in fact look a little bit like a horse.

“A great storyteller and the most comedy adjacent person I’ve ever met.” Wil Anderson