Dane Simpson shrugging shoulders, blue background

Arts & Culture

Get ready for some side-splitting fun

Published: 21 Apr 2022 4:07pm

Wagga Comedy Fest is back in 2022 and promises to deliver all the laughs, with some of the country’s best comedians taking to the stage over the Queen’s birthday long weekend, 9-11 June.

The world-class line up features Anh Do, Joel Creasey, Nurse Georgie Carroll, Effie, Luke Heggie, ABC Radio’s Thank God It’s Friday, Michelle Brasier, Dane Simpson and the Riverina Comedy Club.


Wagga Comedy Fest


The long weekend festival of laughs will kick off on Thursday night with the ever popular Anh Do, who returns to Wagga with his smash hit show The Happiest Refugee Live!! Based on his book of the same name, the stage show combines stand up comedy with real life stories in an amazing retelling of his story.

“Anh Do is absolutely back by popular demand! He was part of Wagga’s first Comedy Fest in 2015 and is now one of our most requested shows, so we are delighted to see it coming back," Civic Theatre Manager Carissa Campbell said.

“The laughs will continue to roll on Friday and Saturday night with the Winter Markets offering food, wine and live music outside the theatre and shows at staggered start times so you can catch as many shows as possible in one night.

“This year we have deliberately left a little more time between shows so that audiences can easily make a full night of it. Catch a couple of shows, stay for dinner and a drink and hear some live music in the heated markets marquee.”

On the Friday night, you can be part of the live broadcast of ABC’s popular drive show, Thank God It’s Friday, with Richard Glover. Nurse Georgie Carroll is also back in 2022 with Sister Flo 2.0; an hour of 100% unfiltered hospital banter.

And it wouldn’t be the Wagga Comedy Fest without some homegrown comedic talent. This year the festival with feature Michelle Brasier with her critically acclaimed show Average Bear and The Dane Simpson Variety Hour will be a fun mix of game show, meets talk show, meets musical extravaganza.

Don’t use all your belly laughs too soon because on the Saturday Effie takes to the stage with her post lockdown show Better Out Than In, Joel Creasey keeps it real with Basic AF and Luke Heggie puts his hilarious sarcasm on show in Your Stupid.

They say laughter is the best medicine and the Civic Theatre is delivering three days of laughter therapy this year to take advantage of its long weekend timing.

“It is the perfect opportunity to redeem any unused Discover NSW vouchers before they expire and get $25 off your ticket price”, Ms Campbell said

“So a ticket to see your favourite comedian just became very affordable!”

You can check out all the acts and get your tickets at civictheatre.com.au/comedy-fest