Melbourne International Comedy Festival Roadshow and comedy in the Hunter

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The Comedy Festival Roadshow in Cessnock

Each year the Melbourne International Comedy Festival sends a Roadshow of comedians from the festival on tour around Australia, and Cessnock has been a regular stop. The Vincent Street theatre's own listings show Roadshow nights in 2024 and 2025, and the theatre's older pages, which once lived at this web address, record Roadshow visits in 2018, 2019 and 2022. The 2027 tour dates are usually announced after the festival itself, which runs in Melbourne in autumn; we will add Cessnock's date when it is listed.

The 2025 visit, on Thursday 5 June, was billed as the Roadshow's 27th year on the road. The line-up was Alex Ward, a regular on Network Ten's Have You Been Paying Attention?; Danielle Walker, who won the festival's Best Newcomer award in 2018 and the first season of Taskmaster Australia; Harry Jun from ABC's Good Game: Spawn Point; and Zack Dyer, winner of Triple J's RAW Comedy competition in 2017. The night ran for 2 hours 20 minutes including an interval. Adult tickets were $50, or $45 for theatre members and groups of six or more, and the show was recommended for ages 15 and over.

Frenchy at Cessnock, 30 October 2026

Frenchy's Never Been Before tour skips the capital cities for towns he has never played, and Cessnock is one of them. He is on at the Vincent Street theatre on Friday 30 October 2026, from 8pm to 9.30pm. A Reserve seats are $59.90 and B Reserve $49.90, booked through the theatre's ticket page. The show is rated 15+ and contains strong language. Crowd work is a big part of his act, so the front rows should expect to be part of the show.

Comedy in Newcastle

The Civic Theatre carries the bigger touring names. On its list now: Denise Scott (10 October), Khaled Khalafalla (16 October), Adam Kay's Christmas show (14 December), the felt puppet comedian Randy Feltface (8 February 2027) and Scottish comic Kevin Bridges (4 March 2027).

What to expect at a comedy show

Most comedy shows in the Hunter run for about one and a half to two hours, often with an interval, and many include a host who introduces a line-up of comics. Touring headliners may perform a single long set. Shows often carry an age recommendation because of language and adult themes, so check the venue's listing before booking for younger teens. Arrive early for a good seat if seating is unallocated, and expect the comics to talk to the front rows.

Getting tickets

Buy tickets from the venue's own website or box office, or the official ticket seller it names. Popular touring comics can sell out quickly, especially on Friday and Saturday nights. Be careful with resale tickets on social media; buying from the official seller protects you if a show is cancelled or moved. For wheelchair seating or other accessible bookings at the Cessnock theatre, call its box office on (02) 4993 4266 rather than booking online.

Comedy around the Hunter

Besides the Cessnock theatre and Newcastle's Civic Theatre, comedy appears at clubs, pubs and smaller venues around the Hunter, from open mic nights for new comics to touring shows. Follow local venues for announcements, because smaller gigs are often listed only a few weeks ahead.

The Roadshow explained

The Melbourne International Comedy Festival Roadshow takes a selection of comics from the Melbourne festival on tour around Australia after the festival ends each year, visiting regional and city venues. A Roadshow night usually features several comics with a host, so you see a mix of styles in one evening. Line-ups change between venues, so check the venue's listing for the comics appearing on your night.

Our short answer

The Comedy Festival Roadshow tours the Hunter after the Melbourne festival each year with a mixed line-up, and touring comics play Cessnock and Newcastle through the year. Book through the venue, check the age guidance, and arrive early.

Comedy for groups

Comedy nights suit birthdays, work functions and group outings. Book together so your group sits together, check whether the venue offers group rates, and remember that front-row seats can attract attention from the comics.

Common questions