7 Gay Comedians to Catch at the Comedy Festival

By Beau

March 30, 2022

Beau is the founder of Apollo Social. He recently relocated to Melbourne with his husband and has begun a love affair with the city.

Having trouble deciding what to see at the Comedy Festival? Here are 7 gay comedians that will have you giggling like a schoolgirl.

With over 400 shows playing in the 26-day festival, the program can be a little overwhelming. If you’re looking for some gay content in your gags then look no further because we’ve picked out 7 shows to tickle your funnybone.

Rhys Nicholson - Rhys! Rhys! Rhys!

Well known for his seat next to RuPaul and Michelle Visage on the Drag Race judging panel, Rhys is a veteran of comedy festivals - he won Timeout’s Best Newcomer award way back at the 2012 Sydney Comedy Festival.

In his show “Rhys! Rhys! Rhys!”, he is determined to give his audience a 1-hour reprieve from Coronavirus. “We’re living it. I would love just one aspect of my life to not involve talking about fucking Covid.” he told the Guardian in January. So expect plenty of laughs and no mention of the dreaded Miss Rona. Get tickets

Jake Howie - Cult Fiction

Kiwi comic Jake Howie thinks that life is one big cult. From religious cults like the Church of Scientology in which he was raised, to the cult of being straight, which he had to fight against growing up gay.

Join him as he takes us through a wild wedding reception that chronicles his life and the cults he’s had to evade in order to become the leader of the only cult that matters - himself.

His last solo show, Sparkle, topped Time Out Sydney’s “Best Things To Do” list for Sydney Comedy Festival. Don’t miss the true and hilarious story of Jake’s life in cults. Get tickets

Larry Dean - Fudnut

One of Scottland's finest comedians and star of Live at the Apollo, Larry has got multiple awards under his belt (include Scottish comedian of the year) and is sure to have you in tears of laughter. Get tickets.

Steven Oliver Bigger and Blacker

Join Steven Oliver for an hour of comedy cabaret. He raps, he sings, he dances, but most of all he makes you laugh. Steven has made a name for himself on ABC's Black Comedy and SBS's Faboriginal and he now makes his Comedy Festival debut with a show he has toured around the country to rave reviews. Get tickets.

Reuben Kaye - The Kaye Hole

Join your host the fabulous and queer Reuben Kaye for a night of circus, comedy, burlesque, drag, and cabaret with a superb backup band.

Winner of Best Cabaret Artist 2021 Adelaide Fringe and Best Cabaret Variety and Line Up Show at FringeWorld 2021. Get tickets

Dr Ahmed Gets Hitched: My Big Fat Gay Greek Pakistani Wedding

Dr Ahmed, Perth's favourite GP-Dermatologist, tells the side-splitting story of his same-sex, inter-faith, interracial, Greek-Pakistani wedding! Winner of Best Comedy Weekly Award 2021 & 2022 Perth FringeWorld. Get tickets

Chris Parker - Gentle Man

A household name in New Zealand, Chris makes his Comedy Festival debut with Gentle Man. He started his career in the hugely popular Auckland improv group Snort, and has gone on to entertain crowds at multiple comedy festivals including the NZ International Comedy Festival (Best Newcomer in 2015) and Edinburgh Fringe Festival (5-star reviews and sell-out shows). He has also made a name for himself on NZ television writing for popular sitcoms and winning reality TV show New Zealand’s Celebrity Treasure Island.

The Melbourne International Comedy Festival runs from 30 March to 24 April www.comedyfestival.com.au

Check out Midsumma's Unofficial Queer Guide to the 2022 Comedy Festival for more great queer acts.