Bellies will shake at multiple venues across the capital this week as the Canberra Comedy Festival draws comedians from around Australia and across the globe out for a good laugh – and a good dig at our city.
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The week-long event kicked off with a sold out Opening Night Gala at the Canberra Theatre Centre Tuesday night with names like Cal Wilson and musical duo Sammy J and Randy warming up ahead of their own shows.
If the latter are anything to go by audiences should be prepared to brush off the odd bit of Canberra-bashing in good jest.
"I'm a total political nerd so, I love coming here," Sammy J said. "I sit at Parliament House at Aussies Cafe and eat vanilla slices and l just stare at politicians.
"We got here and we're all ready to do all sorts of political gear but then Randy and I actually just went up to the top of Red Hill and started making out for about a month ... so we missed most of the news."
Sammy J will try to keep purple puppet sidekick, Randy, in line during their performance on Saturday. But he's a little more scathing.
"Porn and fireworks, that's why I'm here," Randy said.
"Canberrans assume the rest of the country gives a s--- about what happens here – we don't."
Wilson, who also performs on Friday, was a little more forgiving.
The Kiwi comedian couldn't walk in a straight line – on stage or around town – and enjoyed exploring the quirks of each city or town she performed in.
"Is there a sheep getting shaved in the middle of the mall here?" she said, referring to one of Civic's statues.
"It's interesting finding little locals things like that. I think they [audiences] really like it, people like to see themselves. Also, you're really used to the fact that it looks like Lake Burley Griffin has a broken fire hydrant in the middle of it."
Fellow Kiwi Urzila Carlson, who performs Wednesday night, said she looked forward to having her own show on top of Tuesday night's gala.
"I had so much fun last time," she said. "When I left they go, 'Would you want to come back?', I went, 'Yeah, but I want to come back with a show'."
Carlson looked forward to bringing her show, about her lack of self-filter and the tendency for societies to be too strong and sensitive – to an "amazing" Canberra audience.
"People are just so appreciative [here]," she said.
Local comedian Harris Stuckey, who will reveal his stand-up comedy and jazz mash-up on Friday, said the capital was still his favourite place to perform.
"The crowds here are cool – when they show up," he laughed.
"That's also because I've got that local advantage I think."
