Melbourne Comedy Festival Launch

By Noel Kelso

I arrived at the Greek Centre ahead of time because I’m a Scientist and if you’re in Science and don’t come somewhere on the OCD spectrum, you’re in the wrong profession.Effie at the Greek

The new venue is spacious and modern and it’ll be interesting to see how shows perform there. The presentation itself was MC’ed by Effie who was interrupted almost immediately  by Puddles the Clown who sang a haunting tune and toyed with assembled throng before scarpering.

We were then entertained by Ongals from South Korea – a clowning troupe with a nice line in juvenile humour. They were followed by the serious people involved with MICF – Susan Provan, Mayor Robert Doyle and Minister for Creative Arts Martin Foley, all of whom thanked the contributors and attendees of the festival and talked-up the expanded nature this year. Martin Foley also managed to demonstrate that Politics is one of the oldest forms of comedy with a few amusing lines of his own.

To get us all through this there were drinks supplied and nibbles – including dolmades and fetta parcels.

As this will be my fifth and possibly last MICF, I have every intention of seeing as many of the 550 shows as my bank balance and stamina will allow.

Let the laughter begin!
The 2015 Melbourne International Comedy Festival runs from 25th March until 19th April. The full programme can be found at www.comedyfestival.com.au