Dane Simpson gets Comedy Fest 2020 gig

Local funnyman Dane Simpson is getting serious about his next comedy role in Wagga Wagga.

Mr Simpson has today been named the guest Artistic Director for the 2020 Comedy Fest in Wagga and said he can’t wait to take the popular festival to even greater heights.

He said the Comedy Fest will always be one of his favourite gigs which holds a special place in his heart as a launching pad for his stand-up career.

“My first comedy performance was at the very first Wagga Comedy Fest in 2015 when I did a ‘fringe gig’. That was only five years ago,” Mr Simpson said.

“I’m honoured to be given the opportunity to work closely with the Civic Theatre team and Wagga City Council to make Comedy Fest 2020 an even better week of performances.

“The concept of this festival has a great following in Wagga Wagga and we saw from this year’s shows that local people always enjoy their comedy. Everybody enjoys a good laugh and that’s what we want to keep focusing on next year.”

Civic Theatre manager Carissa Campbell said Mr Simpson was an excellent choice for the position.

“Dane is a great local talent with broad experience,” Ms Campbell said.

“He is fresh from touring the country with the Melbourne International Comedy Festival Roadshow – that’s a huge accomplishment and we’re sure that experience will filter into the role Dane is going to fill with Comedy Fest 2020 which will result in a quality line-up next year.

“He knows the best talent and is working those connections to bring the best and brightest to Wagga between 11-13 June next year.”

Ms Campbell said the 2019 Comedy Fest introduced a new audience to the theatre and is adamant Mr Simpson will thrill this new audience and also satisfy the long-standing Wagga comedy fans

Riverina audiences will have their first chance to see Dane Simpson’s show “Origins” for one-night only on 7 September at the Civic Theatre.

After sold-out shows around the country, Mr Simpson is back in his first solo show to answer the question: “Where does his comedy comes from?”

“The show explores how a bloke who lives in Wagga Wagga has gone on to be one of Australia’s rising stars in stand-up comedy,” Ms Campbell said.

In the past few years Mr Simpson has been a finalist in the national Deadly Funny competition, has toured to every state and territory of Australia, has starred in the hit stand-up comedy show Aborigi-LOL, has appeared on Have You Been Paying Attention? and had sold out seasons at the 2018 & 2019 Melbourne International Comedy Festival Gala and the Opening Night All Star Supershow.