Sydney Comedy Festival Guide 2021 // Top Queer Picks
This week, Sydney ramps up for its national comedy moment, playing host to a stack of Australia’s brightest, funniest and most talented comedians. From the Monday 19th of April to Sunday 16th of May, the Enmore Theatre and Factory Theatre will truly come alive with back-to-back comedy, from the big names to up-and-coming junior comedy babes alike. It’ll also be the first time the city has been able to celebrate all things ‘LOL’ since 2019 and, in particular for our local comedians, will be the first time they’ll be able to reinvigorate their own careers in the industry.
Now although there are a plethora of LGBTQIA+ Aussie comics that will be presenting their ever-fabulous shows within the festival, we’re giving spotlight to just a few of our favourite up-and-coming queer talents who, thanks to this little guide, will enable you to claim to have supported them ‘since before they were famous’.
‘Up Late’ by AJ Lamarque
WHEN // Friday 30th April, 9.30pm
WHERE // The Factory Theatre
AJ is a powerhouse in the Sydney comedy scene being both a brilliant performer and a caring community leader as evidenced by his show Kweens of Comedy and the Comedy Initiative (a program to foster and support diverse, new talent in the industry). Continuing that trend, he’s teamed up with the festival itself to showcase comedians doing things a little differently including improvising legends Snake Pit and the incredibly Scout Boxall (see below!).
For more information or to book tickets, see here.
‘Curly & Coordinated’ by Alex Reynolds
WHEN // Wednesday 12th May, 6.50pm & Friday 14th May, 9.30pm
WHERE // The Factory Theatre
Alex’s talent is only shadowed by the volume of her hair and has been entertaining audiences across Australia for years. This year, she’s finally ready to tell Sydney the secrets and lies concealed beneath her Curly & Coordinated locks in what will be undoubtable a brilliant hour of comedy.
For more information or to book tickets, see here.
‘Open For Business’ by Hot Department
WHEN // Saturday 8th May, 9.30pm & Sunday 9th May, 8.30pm
WHERE // The Factory Theatre
Hot is an understatement. Honor Wolff and Patrick Durnan Silva bring their own brilliant brand of surreal, twisted, musical, sexy humour to comedy creating a genre that doesn’t even have a name yet. It’ll be a long time before you witness anything like what they can do with 60 minutes. Winning the 2020 Green Room Award’s Best Ensemble in Cabaret the Hot Department are officially open for business.
For more information or to book tickets, see here.
‘Sparkle’ by Jake Howie
‘Sparkle’ by Jake HowieWHEN // Thursday 22nd – Saturday 24th April, 9.30pm
WHERE // The Factory Theatre
I dare you not to love Jake Howie. The charismatic Kiwi is bringing his cabaret comedy Sparkle to Sydney audiences which will have you leaving feeling joyous, shining and positively sparkling. The show takes you on an epically funny and heartfelt true story in which Jake comes face to face with the boy who once stole his shine. A definite recommend for anyone wanting to leave a show with their heads held high and the jaws achy from laughter.
For more information or to book tickets, see here.
‘You Wouldn’t Guess It’ by Rudy-Lee Taurua
WHEN // Wednesday 28th April – Saturday 1st May, 9.30pm
Sunday 2nd May, 8.30pm
WHERE // The Factory Theatre
With his Sydney Comedy Debut, Rudy-Lee is one you have definitely have to check out. He’s well aware of the impact of first impressions and he’s intelligently crafted his experiences into an hour show that makes you laugh, reflect and leave feeling a stronger sense of community. He’s also just come off the back of making the 2020 Raw National Finals and a slew of awards at Adelaide Festival in 2019.
For more information or to book tickets, see here.
‘Good Egg’ by Scout Boxall
WHEN // Thursday 29th April – Saturday 1st May, 8.10pm
WHERE // The Enmore Theatre
Good Egg is a bit too humble if you ask me. Great Egg, Outstanding Egg these may be better show titles for the hour of sketch that garnered Scout a nomination for Best Newcomer in the recently wrapped-up, Melbourne International Comedy Festival. If you enjoy a show where you may have no clue what’s going on (but need guaranteed hilarity) then Scout is your new best friend.
For more information or to book tickets, see here.
Whilst we love our community, here are some honorable mentions from our allys on the other side of the Gender & Sexuality Pond: Bec Melrose with Absolute Goose, Suren Jayemanne with Industry Darling Adjacent, Bonnie Tangey with Yuck and Jenny Tian with Picture This.
