Lefa Singleton Norton
- Website: http://maintainingtheragemakesmetired.blogspot.com/
- Bio: Lefa Singleton Norton is Editor in Chief at A New Leaf Media. She proudly edits Green magazine, The Pun and the intermittent publications which come our way. Lefa edited university magazine Rabelais for over two years and was the director of the National Student and Emerging Media Conference for two years. In her ’spare’ time, Lefa is a contributor to The Big Issue, freelance writer and editor. During previous Melbourne International Comedy Festivals, she has been a reviewer for Beat, booked and produced festival seasons for Tony Starr’s Kitten Club, and produced shows such as Shopper.
Featured, The Pun, The Pun 2009, The Pun 2009 Articles »
The nominations have been announced and the competitive end of the festival is here. Here’s the low-down.
The Barry Awards – 2009 Nominees
Tim Minchin (AUS) – Ready For This?
Rich Hall (USA) – Otis Lee Crenshaw Featuring Special Guest Rich Hall
Wilson Dixon (AUS) – Wilson Dixon Rides Again
Sarah Millican (UK) – Sarah Millican’s Not Nice
Asher Treleaven (AUS) – Open Door (Moosehead Award Recipient)
The Pajama Men (USA) – Versus vs Versus
Henning Wehn & Otto Kuhnle (DEU) – 1000 Years of German Humour
The Golden Gibbo – 2009 Nominees
Heath McIvor – Randy’s Postcards from Purgatory
Rob …
The Pun, The Pun 2009, The Pun 2009 Reviews »
Courteney Hocking is one of the few comics in Melbourne doing pure political comedy, and this one-hour show is one of even fewer straight-out political shows on offer at MICF this year. Hocking has had enough of her left-leaning days, what with the disappointment of the Kevin08/09 reality, and who can blame her? Solution? Turn to the right. While the left are still twiddling thumbs after the symbolism of the apology, Kyoto and that darned 2020 Summit, Hocking is eager for some real action. It seems her only alternative is …
Featured, The Pun, The Pun 2009, The Pun 2009 Articles »
In no particular order, here are our Top 5 suggestions for shows which break out of the stand-up mould to offer you something a little different.
1. Denise Scott – Number 26
Sit back, relax and put your metaphoric comfy nightie on so you can join Scott in her jaunt down memory lane. Part stand-up, part storytelling with a dash of showbiz thrown in, this show is one you’ll remember long after you’ve rushed off to the next gig.
2. Wilson Dixon Rides Again
If you haven’t seen a Wilson Dixon show before, you’ll …
The Pun 2009, The Pun 2009 Reviews »
Five minutes into Denise Scott’s latest show, the whole audience is relaxed. Ah, the familiar comfort of knowing you are in safe hands. No wondering if the show will go off the rails, no worry you might have to force a laugh or two out to offer a performer some reassurance, no fear you are going to be bored twenty minutes down the track. Consumate performer from beginning to end, Scott starts an audience laughing strong, and keeps them happy the whole way through, as only a seasoned professional can. …
Editor's Diary, The Pun, The Pun 2009 »
Another day, another opportunity for me to feel ripped off as I stay home rugged up in quilts while our team brave the cold to see more shows. While my friends and co-workers are having a night out at Trades Hall seeing a bundle of shows (they’ve already called to share how great their first show, Tale of the Golden Lease was), including Lawrence and Andy’s Time Ninjas, which I’ve been hanging out for, I’ll share my rather quiet night with you.
Last night I attempted to re-join the living for …
Featured, The Pun, The Pun 2009, The Pun 2009 Articles »
If there’s one issue that gets comics hot under the collar as a collective group, it’s reviews and reviewers. As the festival begins, they’re keen to get media outlets into the audience in order to get a review. After the reviewer has been and the review is written, often their attitude can change significantly. The same performer once complaining that nobody will come review their show can now be found spilling bile and hatred for reviewers one-and-all. It’s a phenomenon that is pretty unique to comedy, and as somebody who …
Editor's Diary, The Pun, The Pun 2009 »
It’s been eerily quiet over here in the editor’s corner, and for that I apologise. I’ve been struck with the dreaded Festival Flu, which has provided no mirth but plenty of misery. I’ve missed out on a heap of shows I was really looking forward to, and after a brief re-emergence from sick-den Sunday night to see Mark Watson I’m now feeling sorrier for myself than ever. There’s so much I want to write, including a response to the interesting article in today’s edition of The Age, …
The Pun, The Pun 2009, The Pun 2009 Reviews »
Goodbye Ruby Tuesday is the latest offering from ambitious comic Justin Hamilton. It’s a show which mixes stand-up and theatre, raises questions about the role of comedy for the punter and offers a refreshing perspective on both comics and audiences.
For Ruby (Hannah Norris) who has just moved to Melbourne, a chance meeting with comic Jason Harrington (Hamilton) leads to an unlikely friendship and a developing interest in the local comedy scene. Through their quirky friendship, she is forced to confront the past she’s been moving away from since leaving her …
The Pun, The Pun 2009, The Pun 2009 Reviews »
Celia Pacquola’s show, Am I Strange?, begins with Pacquola herself cheerily greeting the audience at the door, ushering her audience in as if welcoming them into her home for a cup of tea and a chat. As she takes to the stage, her broad smile and upbeat tempo start the show off with a great atmosphere.
Essentially, as Pacquola explains, she often finds herself wondering if she’s strange. Do other people have the same kind of inner monologue, or her weird and wonderful thoughts? Happily for the …
Editor's Diary, The Pun, The Pun 2009 »
Another night at the MTH hub – that’s three in a row – and yet again the horrid weather hasn’t kept the crowds away. Â Last night was a brief but enjoyable one with Club XX at Bar Open, a quick bite to eat then in to see Sammy J at MTH. Â Unfortunately I’d got my wires crossed and didn’t have tickets to Sammy J at all, so I’ll be planning to head to his show later in the week, but that left an enjoyable evening of Mike Wilmot and Ali …
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In no particular order, here are the Top 5 Australian television personalities it’s worth shelling out your money to see live.
1. Adam Hills
Don’t get us started on Adam Hills. We’re fans. Big fans. While he sometimes cops it for being “too niceâ€, Hills is a rare comic. He remains relevant, likable and cheeky in just the right doses. His many years of performing to live audiences all over the world have helped him become one of the most consistent, crowd-friendly shows you’ll find in the festival. Never failing to meet …
Editor's Diary, The Pun, The Pun 2009 »
Friday night madness at the Melbourne Town Hall.  There are people everywhere, which is awesome to see considering the massive thunderstorms outside earlier.  Just seen my first show for the night, Mamafied, in the Council Chambers.  They should really stop using that space.  Awesome as it is, what with the ornate chairs, gorgeous walls and impressive size, it does performers no justice.  This is the third or fourth show I’ve seen in there when there is a mid-sized audience attending which is completely dwarfed by the space, and as such lacks atmosphere.
Meanwhile, …
Editor's Diary, The Pun, The Pun 2009 »
Two nights in, and it’s clear that this festival is shaping up nicely. There are some great concepts on paper, and plenty of shows I’m quite intrigued by. First official show of the festival, Celia Pacquola, was a good one to start with. Having performed the show at festivals previous to this one, Pacquola appeared comfortable and well prepared. Her audience was nearly full, with quite a few familiar comedy faces, including Daniel Kitson and the show’s director, Geraldine Hickey. We weren’t the only reviewers in the crowd, so it …
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Festival Club is a place of magic. We won’t run you through the folklore of previous years to make you jealous over what you missed, but we will mention that they include nakedness, manic sing-alongs and your favourite headliners cutting loose both on stage and on the dance floor.
This year Festival Club also has some exclusives to offer. Each week a new headline act will take the stage for four nights only, traveling all the way from America to make us laugh. And you won’t see them anywhere else. Week …
The Pun, The Pun 2009, The Pun 2009 Articles »
The first in our series of Top 5 recommendation series, this year we begin with the ladies who will make you laugh.
There are some damn funny ladies who perform in this country. In no particular order, we suggest:
1.   Upfront
Previously known as Upfront 8 (owing to the fact that eight performers usually graced the stage), Upfront is testament to the breadth of female talent in comedy. No longer a show featuring eight comics, it has now expanded to offer more ladies and more laughs. A great opportunity to see a range …
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Only one big sleep until the Melbourne International Comedy Festival officially begins. Luckily for us, we’re starting our festival by seeing a preview show. Preview shows are a great way to see an inexpensive performance and get your festival started with a bang. Luckily for you, and us, we’ve scored you some free tickets for preview shows. The only thing better than a good show is a good free show!
For those interested in free tickets or special offers, you should be checking us out on twitter, which is where we …
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