Mardi Gras Comedy Festival 2017
There’s a mix for everyone, gay and straight, at the Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras Comedy Festival, where the objective was to make a festival that reflected creating equality, which is the Mardi Gras theme this year.
”I would be hard pressed to pick a festival highlight. There was a Comedy Festival built into the Mardi Gras festival 26 years ago but no one really knows why it stopped. So this is the first Comedy Festival in a very long time,” said Managing Director of Frontier Comedy, Andrew Taylor, who’s produced the Festival.
The Mardi Gras Comedy Gala opens the festival at The Enmore Theatre and it is the jewel in the crown. If you want to come along and sit down and see a broad range of top shelf Australian, American, Irish and English comedians then the Gala’s the thing for you. It has the biggest range of people from all different sexual orientations and genders. The hilarious Bob Downe will be co-hosting with hugely popular breakfast radio host Em Rusciano (2DayFM).
Then the following night two of the most exciting international comedians perform: drag queens Panti Bliss and Dixi Longate.
“If you want an award winning show, then probably Panti Bliss’ High Heels in Low Places is the show you should see. There’s been a feature film documentary [The Queen of Ireland] made about her campaign for marriage equality in Ireland,” Taylor explained. Bliss also had a critically acclaimed, super successful season at Edinburgh Fringe last year.
America’s most famous Tupperware lady, Dixi Longate, has an amazing show, Dixie’s Tupperware Party. It’s got a lot of pathos in it, it’s very funny and it’s a character driven show.
Other highlights include Bridget Everett‘s (Inside Amy Schumer) solo show Pound It at Max Watts. She’s been called the best performer in New York.
Rounding things out, local stand-ups Joel Creasey and Rhys Nicholson are hosting their very own GAYmes Night at the Seymour Centre where they’ll force a bevy of celebrities and gay icons to battle each other live on stage in a series of outrageously naughty games. (MS)
Mardi Gras Comedy Gala: Feb 28, 7.30pm. Enmore Theatre. $92.
Panti Bliss – High Heels In Low Places: Mar 1, 9.15pm. Enmore Theatre. $56.70.
Dixi Longate – Dixie’s Tupperware Party: Mar 1, 7pm. Factory Theatre. $56.
Bridget Everett – Pound It: Mar 2, 8pm. Max Watt’s. $52.
Joel Creasey & Rhys Nicholson’s GAYmes Night: Mar 3, 7.30pm. York Theatre, The Seymour Centre. $39.90.
Tickets & info for all events: www.mardigras.com.au
