Top Aussie Comedians in Edinburgh

Aussies performers, especially comedians, always play a big part at the Fringe and are regular major award winners.

This will probably the best chance you will ever have of sampling our nation’s finest in one place. So, here are my top 10 picks of the Aussie talent at this year’s festival.

1 – Adam Hills – Mess Around

Long before Adam Hills appeared on TV as the host of Spicks & Specks, he was an award-winning stand-up comedian.
Adam was nominated for the prestigious Perrier Award, the highest accolade in stand-up comedy, three times. In this show, Adam does what he does best and just riffs with the audience. Rarely will you see stand-up this good.

2 – Asher Treleavan – Secret Door

Asher made a splash at last year’s Melbourne Comedy Festival by winning the Critic’s Choice award after being nominated for the Festival’s top award, The Barry Award (how Aussie sounding is that?). An hour of surreal and sharp stand-up.
 

3 – Axis of Awesome – Songs in the Key of Awesome

Described as ‘Spinal Tap meets Flight of the Conchords’, Australia’s self-professed gods of comedy-rock sing funny songs at your face. A combination of genuine musical talent and intelligent, hilarious comedy.
 

4 – Felicity Ward – Reads from The Book of Moron

In my opinion, one of Australia’s funniest new comics. With great jokes and fantastic performance skills, Felicity knows how to bring a story and it’s characters to life. An excellent stand-up.

5 - Carl Barron

Australia’s most popular comedian needs no introduction. Slow to catch on overseas, Carl is a true master of observational comedy, proving that excellent comedy does not need to be offensive and all sweary. Hysterical.

6 - Celia Pacquola – Flying Solos

She has been described as Adam Hills with ovaries, which is a good thing for her comedy and ovaries.

Celia’s debut 2009 show took Edinburgh by storm, with an hour of barbed and astute stand-up. This is an engaging show about taking risks. Very likeable stuff.

7 - Jimeon – Something Smells Funny

Heard of him? Australia’s funniest Irishman presents an hour of world-class stand-up comedy. If Carl Barron is a master of observational comedy, then Jimeon is the Yoda of it. You may laugh through your nose.

8 - Jim Jeffries – Alcoholocaust

Having honed his craft in the UK, some Australians may not have heard of Jim Jeffries as yet, but rest assured his comedy is now a global phenomenon.

With a HBO special in the U.S. and five sell-out Edinburgh shows under his belt, he is a must-see. A truly hard-hitting and honest comic. Expect shock and fits of laughter in equal measure.

9 - Sammy J – Skinny Man, Modern World

Award-winning, musical comic, Sammy J is best known for his critically acclaimed ‘Forest of Dreams’ puppet show, described as ‘filthy, frenetic and gloriously funny’.

This young comic won the Barry Award at last year’s Melbourne Comedy Festival and is going from strength to strength.

10 – Pete Jonas – Dark Side of the Poon

Some comics choose a topic for an Edinburgh show and then attempt to crowbar their jokes around it, whilst making little reference to the theme.

Others spend a long time crafting a hoard of bitter ‘poon’ jokes and creating a giant, talking, 6’ 4” vagina for the final conflict in their show. Described as a ‘provocative, risqué and pant-wettingly funny’. But I’m probably biased, so read the review here

For a complete guide to what’s on at the Fringe, go to www.edfringe.com

Pete Jonas performs ‘Dark Side of the Poon’ at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, 10.55pm at The Caves (venue 88) from August 5 – 29. Book tickets at www.petejonas.com or call 0131 556 5375.

More on the Edinburgh Fringe:

Pete Jonas’s tips for surviving the Fringe

Ventriloquist David Strassman talks to himself

Also read:

Pete Jonas’s dating tips for men in London

Pete Jonas’s dating tips for single Aussie ladies