Laugh riot in Warburton

By Kath Gannaway
GLADYSDALE comedian Michael Connell will stage a special one-off comedy show in Warburton next month.
“Earlier in the year I did a tour of New Zealand and I’m always performing in the city, so I thought it’d be great if I could do something in my local area,” Mr Connell told the Mail.
“I’ve got together some of the best comedians in Melbourne and we’ll be doing a huge show at the Upper Yarra Arts Centre.
The Big Time Comedy Show is very much a community event.
The show is being staged through the Shire of Yarra Ranges Youth Services.
“They’ve been a great supporter of local youth entertainment, either helping young performing artists like myself or putting on shows for local young people’s entertainment – something that’s lacking in this area,” Mr Connell said. “I’m really proud to be working with them.”
The performance will be audio recorded by students studying Certificate III Music Technical Production under the direction of Dawn Holland.
“I’m very excited about having the event recorded. It’s something I’ve never really done before,” Mr Connell said.
“I’ve seen some of the students’ previous work and I was amazed at their professionalism. I’m honoured that they want to be involved in putting on this show.”
The comedians performing on the night are among the top in the business, he said.
“These guys are some of the best performing in the comedy clubs of Melbourne, and I’m very lucky to be working with them,” Mr Connell said.
“Sammy J’s a fantastic musical comedian who’s been on the ABC, Channel Seven, and was chosen as best newcomer at this year’s Melbourne Comedy Festival.
“Fox K, who has been on Good Morning Australia, performed in clubs all around Melbourne and has done several Melbourne comedy festival shows.
“Tom Siegert has perhaps the strangest onstage character you’ll ever see, but he’s hilarious and you might have seen him on TV in the Search for a Funniest Man competition grand final.
“Finally there’s the very intellectual and witty Simon Godfrey who in addition to being a hit at comedy clubs has also written jokes for The Glasshouse on the ABC and In Siberia Tonight on SBS, plus lots of radio stations.”
Mr Connell will perform along with Sammy J, Fox K, Tom Siegert and Simon Godfrey in The Big Time Comedy Show at the Upper Yarra Arts Centre at 8pm on Friday, 1 September.
Tickets are $16 or $14 concession. Bookings are essential on 5966 5160.