Camp Kiwi cabaret provocateur Marshall Lorenzo discusses finding the absurd in serious politics, the “posh bastard” in the audience, and the involuntary comic moments when we accidentally reveal our true selves.

Presented by George Stamkoski — Roving Eye Reporter

Part of the What’s Funny? series recorded backstage at the 2026 Melbourne International Comedy Festival.

www.comedyfestival.com.au/browse-shows/marshall-lorenzo/

Themes: political absurdity / involuntary bodies / social discomfort

Self-described “human cartoon character” Mr Snotbottom discusses physical absurdity, the importance of surprise and the comic power of taking silly ideas completely seriously.

Presented by George Stamkoski — Roving Eye Reporter

Part of the What’s Funny? series recorded backstage at the 2026 Melbourne International Comedy Festival.

www.comedyfestival.com.au/browse-shows/p-gee/

Themes: Absurdity / surprise / kids' chaos

Self-confessed fraudulent gold trader Mark Silcox discusses truths about the gold market, on-stage authenticity and the peculiar territory where complete sincerity becomes unexpectedly funny.

Presented by George Stamkoski — Roving Eye Reporter

Part of the What’s Funny? series recorded backstage at the 2026 Melbourne International Comedy Festival.

www.comedyfestival.com.au/browse-shows/mark-silcox-the-successful-gold-trader/

Themes: absurd truth / deadpan certainty / gold standard

Openly “on-the-spectrum” stand-up muso George Rigden discusses what happens when truth meets shame and the importance of being fully present in the room when comic improv takes an unexpected turn.

Presented by George Stamkoski — Roving Eye Reporter

Part of the What’s Funny? series recorded backstage at the 2026 Melbourne International Comedy Festival.

www.comedyfestival.com.au/browse-shows/george-rigden-self-inflicted/

Themes: raw truth / presence / shame

Kids entertainer, freestyle basketball maestro and self-proclaimed superhero Basketball Man discusses family fun, physical comedy and why children often find the greatest joy when things go gloriously wrong.

Presented by George Stamkoski — Roving Eye Reporter

Part of the What’s Funny? series recorded backstage at the 2026 Melbourne International Comedy Festival.

www.comedyfestival.com.au/browse-shows/basketballman-can-fly/

Themes: silliness / family fun / physical comedy

Chris Marlton, whose alter ego Desmond Little steals the stand-up spotlight, discusses the art of risk-taking improvisation, trusting instinct, and why comedy remains one of the few art forms that defies formula.

Presented by George Stamkoski — Roving Eye Reporter

Part of the What’s Funny? series recorded backstage at the 2026 Melbourne International Comedy Festival.

www.comedyfestival.com.au/browse-shows/desmond-little/

Themes: risk / instinct / reading the room

San Francisco-based Italian clown and priest performer Andrea Barello discusses the funny side of religion, audience confessions and rediscovering the creative freedom many of us leave behind in Childhood.

Presented by George Stamkoski — Roving Eye Reporter

Part of the What’s Funny? series recorded backstage at the 2026 Melbourne International ComedyFestival.

www.comedyfestival.com.au/browse-shows/full-of-grace/

Themes: Play / clown state / child imagination

One-woman showstopper Sarah Francis discusses being spiritual, conjuring up oddball characters to share vulnerabilities while finding magic in uncertainty, silliness and chaos.

Presented by George Stamkoski — Roving Eye Reporter

Part of the What’s Funny? series recorded backstage at the 2026 Melbourne International Comedy Festival.

www.comedyfestival.com.au/browse-shows/psycho-or-psychic/

Themes: vulnerability / uncertainty / everyday magic

Luke Rocca discusses bad backs, being talked about on the Cheap Seats and the guilty pleasure of turning the larger-than-life characters in his life into comic characters.

Presented by George Stamkoski — Roving Eye Reporter

Part of the What’s Funny? series recorded backstage at the 2026 Melbourne International Comedy Festival.

www.comedyfestival.com.au/browse-shows/spineless/

Themes: surprise / physicality / silly edge

Former bored insolvency lawyer Anthony Locascio discusses personal heartbreak, the healing power of faith and why stand-up can illuminate truths that lie hidden beneath the laughter.

Presented by George Stamkoski — Roving Eye Reporter

Part of the What’s Funny? series recorded backstage at the 2026 Melbourne International Comedy Festival.

www.comedyfestival.com.au/browse-shows/anthony-locascio-the-divine-comedy/

Themes: truth / thought / art beyond laughs