Melbourne festival line-up unveiled

The 19th Melbourne International Comedy Festival kicked off last night with a sold-out  televised gala.

Mike Wilmot, former Perrier winner Demetri Martin and camp singer Bob Downe were among the highlights of the high-profile show, hosted by local comic Dave Hughes.

A total of 25 of the 200 acts appearing at the festival took to the Regent Theatre stage, starting with comedy trio Gud who persuaded the 1,500-strong audience to don cardboard masks of TV sports presenter Eddie McGuire.

Bill Bailey, Stewart Lee, Sean Lock, Ross Noble, Daniel Kitson, Perrier-winner Jackson’s Way, and Chris Addison are among the British comics appraring at the festival.

The gala, in aid of Oxfam, will air on Australia’s Channel 10 on April 3. The festival runs until April 17 - see the official website for the full programme.

Published: 23 Mar 2005