Comedian Angus Brown will contest one of the RAW comedy heats. 76001 Picture: KRISTIAN SCOTT
By Charlene Gatt
WHAT do Chris Lilley, Josh Thomas, Hannah Gadsby, Peter Helliar, Claire Hooper, Mike McLeish and Tim Minchin all have in common?
Before becoming some of Australia’s most recognis-
able names in comedy, they all finessed their funny and took
on RAW Comedy, Australia’s biggest and most prestigious annual open mic comedy competition.
The event has been a highlight of the Melbourne International Comedy Festival and will come again to Footscray next month for one of the heats.
The rules are simple: you can’t have earned more than
$500 as a comedian, and you have five minutes to make people laugh.
“It’s very much for emerging comedians,” RAW Comedy producer Gideon James said.
“For some people it might be their very, very first time.
“A lot of spots people do around town are for free, so some people have got a little bit more experience, but so far no one has had much success. It’s an unearthing competition, really.
“It doesn’t have to be polished, it’s about having a go.”
“Mostly it is stand-up, but musical comedy is quite popular – people can do anything. It’s open to any form of comedy.”
Angus Brown is one of more than 1000 budding comedians who will try out his routine at one of the heats staged around the country.
Footscray Community Arts Centre will throw open its doors for one of those heats on 9 February from 7pm.
The grand final will be held at the Melbourne Town Hall on 15 April.
