The Melbourne International Comedy Festival is back this month from 27 March until 21 April, with a line-up of hilarious shows taking place across the city.
Among the comedians are a number of Greek origin, including the event’s first ever Greek-language stand-up show direct from Greece.

See details below!

CHARISA BOSSINAKIS, ‘PAQUITO’
The Greek Australian returns to the Festival this year, with her second show ‘Paquito’. It comes off the back of what was a very important year for Bossinakis, who completed her Bachelor of Creative Arts (the ‘green on a four coloured pen’ of degrees) and presented her debut comedy show ‘Boss’ to audiences in Melbourne and Sydney. In this show she questions where it all went wrong; could it be the fact that she can name each Kardashian but not all three branches of government? Or maybe that she completed a mime credit at university?

Charisa Bossinakis

When: 8-21 Apr: 8.30 pm
Where: Tasma Terrace 3, 6 Parliament Pl, Melbourne, VIC

GEORGE DIMARELOS, ‘A BOOKLOVERS COMEDY SHOW’
Another local comedian, George Dimarelos is taking part in a compilation show at this year’s Comedy Festival, where a rotating bill of comedians and storytellers will be talking about everything book related. It could be anything from a kids’ book that scarred them for life to a time they partied with Salman Rushdie. Whatever it is, if you like reading there’ll be something for you.

George Dimarelos

The Greek Australian started his comedy career in 2011, and has since taken multiple solo shows to fringe festivals throughout Australia and the UK, including sell-out runs in Melbourne and Edinburgh and a FRESH nomination at the 2017 Sydney Comedy Festival.

When: 8-21 Apr: 8.15 pm
Where: Tasma Terrace 2, 6 Parliament Pl, Melbourne, VIC

GEORGE ZACHAROPOULOS, ‘2019 GREEK COMEDIAN OF THE YEAR’
Born and bred in Greece, but based in the UK, George Zacharopoulos is taking the comedy circuit by storm. Having played sold out shows at the Edinburgh Fringe and Melbourne International Comedy Festival, Zacharopoulos is set on proving to his Aussie audience why he is one of the best acts this side of the Acropolis.

George Zacharopoulos

When: 27-30 Mar, 1-2 Apr, 4-6 Apr, 8-9 Apr, 11-13 Apr, 15-16 Apr, 18-20 Apr: 7.00 pm;
31 Mar, 7 Apr, 14 April: 6.00 pm
Where: The Carlton Club (193 Bourke St, Melbourne, VIC)

LAMBROS FISFIS & MICHALIS MATHIOUDAKIS, ‘ΣΤΑΝΤ ΑΠ ΚΟΜΕΝΤΙ ΙΝ ΓΚΡΙΚ’ (GR)
Two of Greece’s most acclaimed comedians,Lambros Fisfis and Michalis Mathioudakis will present the Comedy Festival’s very first Greek-language stand-up show. They will take the audience down Greek-memory lane to reminisce and laugh about all things distinctly Greek, while shedding some light on the Greek crisis. With their mixed heritage – Lambros is from Kalamata and Chios, and Michalis is of Cretan and Pontian descent – the two of them capture the spirit and culture of Greece like no other. They have it all covered – from toilets that can’t flush toilet paper, to showers that leave more water on the floor than on you, to the ultra protective Greek mother that will hunt you down like Rambo if you leave the house without a jacket.

They also cover the things in everyday life that can seem insignificant, yet somehow unite all Greeks: failed parties, traffic jams, scary pigeons, house sharing, attempted afternoon naps, bad photos, your grandmother’s tactics, posters for Greek village fairs, feta, frappé, Greek dancing, and bulging Tupperware your mum forces on you.

When: 19-20 Apr: 6.00 pm; 21 Apr: 5.00 pm
Where: Greek Centre (168 Lonsdale St, Melbourne, VIC)

To see the full guide and to purchase tickets, visit comedyfestival.com.au