20 comedy shows to see at Adelaide Fringe
Get your laughing gear around this: Claire Sawers ploughs her way through a packed Adelaide Fringe programme to bring you the cream of the comedy crop
Stand-up
Christopher Hall: Pizzazz
Lily Allen was the latest diva to get Christopher Hall’s glorious backing singer treatment when he lip-synced ’Pussy Palace’ with his trademark moves, gaining a bunch of new Instagram and TikTok fans. A born chorus boy, there may well be spontaneous dancing.
The Garden Of Unearthly Delights, 17–22 March, 8pm.
Elaine Crombie
Recognisable from her role in TV’s Top Of The Lake or appearance in Crombie Crew (a documentary about Elaine and her mother Lillian), there are only three chances to catch the Pitjantjatjara and Yankunytjatjara comedian blending her sassy stand-up with singing.
Gluttony At Tandanya, 7–9 March, 2.30pm.
Eloise Eftos: Australia’s First Attractive Comedian – Encore
This feminist comedian from Perth takes a high self-esteem approach to life in her show, Australia’s First Attractive Comedian. So much so, she’s bringing it back for an encore run while also debuting new show The Trophy.
The Garden Of Unearthly Delights, 17–22 February, 8.30pm.
Kate Dolan: Trout
For those who prefer their laughs a little unhinged, expect a brash, surreal hour of meanderings and machine gunfire quips, as the UK-based comedian ponders that maybe river trout have a far easier life than modern women.
The Courtyard Of Curiosities (Migration Museum), 19 February–1 March, 9.20pm.
Liam Withnail: Big Strong Boy
Exploring masculinity in funny, heartfelt ways, this hour follows one boy’s journey, via alcoholism, othering and depression. Beginning 19 years ago when he left his Essex hometown at the age of 18, the story brings us to present day Edinburgh, which Withnail now calls home.
Rhino Room, 17–21 March, 5pm.
Lizzy Hoo: Says, Hoo?
Continuing her string of surname-based pun titles (see Hoo Am I?, Woo Hoo! and the Amazon Prime special, Hoo Cares!?), the Brisbane-born comedian is back with a short hairdo and new show. Expect material on co-parenting a rescue greyhound and embracing her new golf era, among other things.
The Howling Owl, 24 February–1 March, 6pm.
Zoë Coombs Marr: The Splash Zone
The popular Australian comedian (and former Best Show nominee at the Edinburgh Comedy Awards and Best Show winner at Melbourne Comedy Festival) returns to Adelaide post-hit shows Trigger Warning and Bossy Bottom. This time she’s juggling having ADHD while working in the highly distracting business we call show.
The Howling Owl, 3–8 March, 7.45pm.
Character comedy
Casey Filips: What A Character
Melbourne-based Greek-Australian actor and clown Casey Filips studied at the world-famous Ecole Philippe Gaulier and went on to win the Take A Chance Adelaide Award for debut solo show, Virtuoso. He’s back with more buffoonery and sketch comedy.
The Howling Owl, 3–8 March,8.30pm.
Fountain Lakes: Y2K
Kath And Kim fans rejoice: it’s a drag tribute pacifically focusing on your favourite foxy morons. The follow-up to sell-out show Fountain Lakes In Lockdown is here horndogs, and this month-long run may just sell out too. Noice.
The Garden Of Unearthly Delights, 21 February–22 March, 6.30pm.
Hannah Camilleri: Dinner Hannah Show
Daniel Kitson is a fan of this Australian performer’s absurd character comedy. Camilleri trained at the Gaulier clown school, and her 2023 one-woman sketch show Lolly Bag went down very well at Melbourne International Comedy Festival and Edinburgh Fringe.
The Courtyard Of Curiosities (Migration Museum), 3–8 March, 7.50pm.
Siblings: Dreamweavers
Real-life sisters Maddy and Marina Bye take a deep dive into the surreal subconscious with this unhinged, anarchic character show. Parental comedy talent has clearly been passed down: their mum is brash TV joker Ruby Wax and their dad is Red Dwarf director Ed Bye. Expect warm chemistry and daft style.
The Courtyard Of Curiosities (Migration Museum), 10–22 March, 9.30pm.
Sez: Sorry, What?
This chirpy tiny comedian regularly explores her quarter-life crisis online, where she’s built up a healthy following. This is your chance to see the tiny comedian irl, where she uses a combination of stand-up and songs to explore the world around her.
Rhino Room, 3–8 March, 7.45pm.
Tape Face: 20
The Las Vegas-headlining mime artist graces Adelaide with a three-week run. New Zealand-born comedian Sam Wills started out 20 years ago as The Boy With Tape On His Face and has popped up more recently on America’s Got Talent and Canada’s Got Talent.
The Garden Of Unearthly Delights, 2–22 March, 7pm.
Welcome To Dolphin World
Despite it being set in a water park, there is no actual splash zone at this multimedia sketch show. Aping the enthusiastic marine park presenters from the 1990s, the dolphinarium delivers absurd lols plus original music.
Arthur Arthouse, 19–21 March, 6pm.
Drag / cabaret
Beat Boyz: Best House Party Ever
Roxie Halley and Michele Owen present their drag king alter egos, the Beat Boyz (aka party boys Big Mike and DJ JayJay). Meet them in 2008, where they’re throwing a house party to rival all house parties. Expect chaotic improv and feral fun.
Gluttony Rymill Park, 24 February–1 March, 10pm.
Joni: Play (Like) A Man
Just after softcore sports romance Heated Rivalry hits the small screen, Susanna Pukkila presents this sweaty solo comedy show about a Finnish hockey bro. Expect fake blood and real sweat onstage, brilliantly sponsored by ‘internalised misogyny’.
The Courtyard Of Curiosities (State Library), 10–22 March, 7pm.
Kathy Maniura: The Cycling Man
Roll up, roll up for a Lycra-fuelled middle-aged meltdown. Character comedian Kathy Maniura was shortlisted for the BBC New Comedian prize and has portrayed electric scooters and paper straws in the past. This time she’s in drag king mode as a flawed, wealthy, emotionally unintelligent cycling man, inspired by real-life London cyclists.
The Mill, 18–22 March, 6pm.
Reuben Kaye: Hard To Swallow
The tattooed, slick-haired superstar is an absolute icon, and is back to spray glitter over the city once more. Sharp as a tack, this time Kaye’s giving us a musical, political, Swarovski-studded revolt against an increasingly conservative world.
Hindley Street Music Hall, 18–21 March, 7pm.
Tim Collins & Hannah Conda: Brothers In Wigs
These OTT siblings bring the family drama for one week only and are as outrageous as only they can be. Chris Collins, aka drag queen Hannah Conda (RuPaul's Drag Race Down Under runner-up), is taking musical brother Tim, plus many fine hairpieces, on tour.
The Garden Of Unearthly Delights, 16–22 March, 8.15pm.
Tits & Teeth
Spend an hour in the dazzling presence of Dolly Diamond, Australian drag queen and glamour puss. She’ll interview guests in her own razor-witted way, shoehorning in juicy gossip and innuendo wherever she can (that’s all the time).
Plant 4 Bowden, 12, 14 & 15 March, times vary.