The Twitter addicted, relief teaching Brisbane comedian Melinda Buttle is ready to perform at the Melbourne International Comedy Festival for the first time. She hasn’t always imagined performing at the festival, however, as comedy hasn’t been a direct career path for the twenty eight year old. Although she had always been curious about trying stand-up, Mel started out as a drama teacher. Until that fatal day she saw an advertisement for an eight week stand-up course. “At the end of it we had to do a performance. And it was …

Festival has kicked off and we’re celebrating with the biggest Melbourne International Comedy Festival ticket giveaway you’re likely to find anywhere.  Here’s where you’ll find your key to winning double passes to over 75 shows.  To enter, all you need to do is email win@anewleaf.com.au and tell us which tickets you’d like and on which date.  In your email please include your name and a contact telephone number.  These details will only be used to contact you if you win.  You can enter for as many shows as you like!  …

Q. Did you hear the one about the female comedian?
A. Actually, women aren’t really that funny..
It’s the laughable line that gets trotted out every Comedy Festival.
Delivered in didactic terms in queues for Wil Anderson, spluttered by seedy types holding up the Festival bars, whispered guiltily as those few ladies who actually get a guernsey at the Gala take the stage.
The standard “Sheilas can’t crack a joke”, the occasional “Kristen Schaal is the exception that proves the rule”, and of course “Oh yeah, then why is there twice the number of …