A

Am I The Drama? 

Andy Balloch’s solo character-based show has won a clutch of awards. He’s also written for the likes of Reuben Kaye, so you know you’re in safe comedy hands when he brings the likes of clingy Nazis and desperate real estate agents to the stage.

The Majestic, Monday 4–Sunday 17 March. 

B

Brendan Goh

Chinese comedian Goh is desperate to both find romance and crack Australia’s comedy scene. In People Like Us, he shares experiences of coming out as a gay man in Malaysia and the challenges of trying to live authentically.

Rhino Room, Friday 16 & Saturday 17 February; My Lover Cindi, Sunday 18, Tuesday 20 & Wednesday 21 February.

C

Completely Improvised Shakespeare 

A fast-paced improv show: the audience suggests a title and Soothsayers will create an entire play, as if it came from the pen of the Bard himself. Silly yet skilled fun which could potentially turn you onto Shakespeare too. 

Dom Polski Centre, Monday 4–Sunday 17 March. 

D

Danielle Walker 

You may recognise Walker from Taskmaster Australia (she won) or music quiz show Spicks And Specks. The Lady Upstairs takes a nosy peek inside the previous Melbourne International Comedy Festival prizewinner’s darkly funny mind. 

The Garden Of Unearthly Delights, Monday 11–Sunday 17 March.

E

Elf Lyons 

UK comedian Lyons took inspiration for her show Raven from the macabre work of Stephen King. Expect a loopy blend of Hammer horror, clowning and physical comedy. 

The Courtyard Of Curiosities At The Migration Museum, Tuesday 5–Sunday 17 March. 

F

Fashion 4 passion 

They’re back, and they’re hotter than ever (probably thanks to all those man-made fibres). The underdogs of Australian TV (yeah, those ones, the white privileged ones) have resorted to sketch comedy and sweatshop chic. After all, life is better when you’re a trendsetter. 

Gluttony, Friday 16–Sunday 25 February.

G

Grace Jarvis

This Melbourne-based comedian brings Oh! The Horrors! to Adelaide, a whimsical show about her attempts to establish her independence. Sydney Comedy Festival and Edinburgh Fringe audiences have already given her the thumbs up. 

Gluttony, Friday 16–Sunday 25 February.

H

Hannah Camilleri

After success at Melbourne International Comedy Festival, Edinburgh Fringe and last year’s Adelaide Fringe, this Melbourne comedian has honed her show Lolly Bag to perfection, with newly fleshed out characters and sketches. 

The Courtyard Of Curiosities At The Migration Museum, Tuesday 27 February–Sunday 3 March.

I

Ingrown 

Hopefully not all about things that can go wrong with toenails, this is the solo debut from the absurd brain of Melbourne’s Matt Jenner. Recommended for fans of the brilliant Maria Bamford, this show was nominated for best comedy at Melbourne Fringe. 

Secret Basement @ WEA, Monday 26 February–Sunday 3 March.

J

Jez & Jace

Will a final night on the town make or break our heroes? What does it really mean to love your bro? Lads On Tour is a sort-of homage to toxic masculinity that’s full of heart and asks important questions about growing up bogan and queer. 

Gluttony, Tuesday 5–Saturday 9 March.

K

Kate Smurthwaite

Fire Snake is this comedian slash activist’s look into the grim world of disaster capitalism. Come watch an ex-maths tutor being sarcastic in a hi-vis vest and snakeskin top. 

Laugh Lounge, Wednesday 28 February–Sunday 3 March.

L

Lou Wall 

Queer Aussie comedian Zoë Coombs Marr directs another queer Aussie comedian, Lou Wall, in musical comedy The Bisexual’s Lament. Expect keyboard ditties and PowerPoint presentations on some LGBT burning issues. 

Rhino Room, Tuesday 5–Sunday 10 March.

M

Man With A Fork In A World Full Of Soup 

With a promise of ‘laughter pies’ and an ‘umami odyssey’, Sam Simmons (presenter of the Niche As Quiche podcast) brings his brand of comedy surrealism to The Garden. 

The Garden Of Unearthly Delights, Friday 16 February–17 March.

N

Neptune Henriksen

You’ll spot this queer actor/director/comedian in both the comedy and theatre sections of the Fringe programme. Being A Woman For Money delves into gender, capitalism and desirability. After all, sex sells, but gender sells out. 

Secret Basement @ WEA, Monday 4–Sunday 10 March.

O

Out Of Body Experience 

Is anyone really having a good time? Writer/comedian and advocate for those with invisible disabilities, Ashley Apap brings the world premiere of her show to Adelaide, investigating existential angst and lava lamps, among other things. 

Secret Basement @ WEA, Tuesday 5, Thursday 7, Saturday 9 March.

P

Paul Savage

In a Fringe with (surprisingly) more than one spider-shagging title, Paul Savage has come all the way from London to share this story of falling in love with an Aussie woman in Actually, I Did Come Here to F**k Spiders. 

Gluttony, Tuesday 27 February–Sunday 3 March.

Q

Quirky Best Friend 

Not everyone has Main Character Energy, as queer Australian/Sri Lankan film and TV actor Nicole Gulasekharam explores in this one-person romcom show about the power of female friendship. 

The Majestic, Friday 1–Sunday 3 March.

R

Rohan Harry

First this Adelaide comedian made a podcast, then he made a comedy show about the making of said podcast. Come and find out more about one man’s early midlife crisis in Attitude Consultant. 

The Gilbert Street Hotel, Monday 4, Monday 11 March.

S

Stephen K Amos

Fresh from singing and dancing as Dr Doolittle in My Fair Lady in London’s West End, stand-up veteran Amos’ brand new show Oxymoron looks back over his past few slightly bizarre years.

The Garden Of Unearthly Delights, Friday 16 February–Sunday 3 March.

T

Takashi Wakasugi 

This Japanese-born stand-up was once called ‘Australia’s politest comedian’ in a review. Japanese Aussie explores his transition from Asia to Australia, where he’s been based for five years now. 

Hotel Richmond, Friday 1 & Saturday 2, Friday 8 & Saturday 9 March.

U

Urvi Majumdar 

Life has dealt this Melbourne comedian a few sick burns. In Burnt, she’d like to share a few of them, from family favouritism to high-school horrors. 

Rhino Room, Tuesday 5–Sunday10 March.

V

Vida Slayman Is A Motherchucker 

This self-titled motherchucker makes her children cringe when she poses naked, but they’re missing the point. Which is liberation, retaining identity during motherhood and generally being a badass. 

Rhino Room, Tuesday 5–Sunday 10 March.

W

William Boyd

The character comedian and clown William Boyd wants to revisit all his favourite childhood games, from Pictionary to Simon Says, via Pass The Parcel and Marco Polo. The People’s Champion lets him do just that. 

Secret Basement @ WEA, Monday 11–Sunday 17 March.

X

Extra Curricular 

Former teachers turned cabaret duo Libby and Matt take you on a tour of staff meetings, parent/teacher sessions and sports day in the professional development session you never knew you needed.

Prompt Creative Centre, Thursday 22–Sunday 25 February, Thursday 29 February–Sunday 3 March.

Y

Yozi

Comedian Yozi had clearly never visited Finland when he named his show No Babies In The Sauna. This solo sketch comedy takes you to some absurd places as he examines rules and rule breaking. 

My Lover Cindi, Tuesday 5–Saturday 9, Thursday 14–Friday 16 March.

Z

Zan Rowe & Myf Warhurst 
Radio and TV presenters Myf Warhurst and Zan Rowe take their popular podcast Bang On out on the road, with a live version of their chat show featuring music, art, life and stuff.

The Garden Of Unearthly Delights, Saturday 24 & Sunday 25 February.