Comedy Women's Association

14/04/2024

The Exford After Party is a Melbourne International Comedy Festival institution. Colloquially known as the Bear Pit, the late night show has been hosted by Chris Franklin for 13 years.

Chris endeavours to ensure representation of comedians of all backgrounds amd experience in the After Party lineups. As part of those efforts, last night Chris created the space for the Comedy Women's Association to takeover the Exford After Party.

We had a spectacular night and wish to heartily thank each member of our wonderful lineup for delivering our audience first class comedy. We also wish to acknowledge Chris Franklin for the encouragement he provides comedians and recognise the support he provides women on-stage and off.

13/04/2024

Last year Chris Franklin created the space for the Comedy Women's Association to take over the Exford After Party.

The laughter for the amazing line up we curated for the After Party did interrupt the show upstairs last year so...the benchmark is very high for TONIGHT when we do it all again!

Host by Nicky Barry - Comedian the Exford After Party starts 11pm tonight downstairs at the Exford Hotel.

17/04/2023

Running the Exford After Party each comedy festival is a mammoth task undertaken by Chris Franklin, this year he's being assisted by Ned Townsend. Chris tries to ensure balanced lineups but the first few nights of the comedy festival this year saw male-heavy lineups for the After Party.

So Chris gave up the stage and created the space for women to takeover the After Party on 15 April.

We want to thank Chris for the encouragement he provides comedians and acknowledge the support he provides women on-stage and off.

As an aside, we had hoped that our takeover would allow Chris to have a well-deserved early mark to go to bed but he stayed for the show because (his words) the show was too good.

Thanks Chris!

04/10/2020

Our first meeting of the Comedy Women's Association four years ago was hosted by the amazing Nicky Barry.

04/10/2020

This year has felt longer than others but four years ago we launched Comedy Women's Association.

During that time we've seen many talented comedians grace our stage, provided a space for many voices and seen new talent emerge.

Though 2020 has seen us not be as active as we like to be, rest assured that when it's safe to do so we'll be back providing a space where we can enjoy a spatially distanced laugh together.

08/05/2020

It has set in that the title of our show for the Melbourne International Comedy Festival that never was....was truly, appropriate for 2020.

14/03/2020

Due to health concerns regarding Covid-19 the Melbourne International Comedy Festival has been cancelled.

This means we will not be presenting Absolutely Cooked.

The Covid-19 situation is evolving and recent advice from Australia's Chief Medical Officer suggests that social distancing (minimising your interactions with people and where interactions are unavoidable keeping a distance of 1.5 metres between yourselves) will assist with containing the spread of the virus.

Containing the spread will also be aided by being vigilant with basic hygiene - cover your mouth if you cough, wash your hands thoroughly (at least 20 seconds each time) and using alcohol wipes to wipe surfaces (one wipe, one surface, one direction).

For your reference washing your hands for at least 20 seconds - we've included a guide.

09/03/2020

Caili Christian, a late bloomer, started comedy after her 40th Birthday. Caili and Katrina Fleming have a new show Queenagers for Melbourne International Comedy Festival (Caili's 3rd show in as many years).

The Comedy Women's Association is proud to announce that Caili, one of our founders, will be part of the Absolutely Cooked- Easter Special lineup.

Grab your tickets now: https://www.comedyfestival.com.au/2020/shows/comedy-women-s-association

Tales of disgraceful behaviour! Lovable rogues Caili Christian and Katrina Fleming celebrate mischie

07/03/2020

Annie Louey has been tearing up the Melbourne comedy scene making people wet themselves laughing for over 3 years. She is a 2019 Victorian Government Stand Up! Grant Recipient.

Comedy Women's Association is excited to announce that Annie joins our Absolutely Cooked lineup.

'She has the charm to draw the audience right into the conversation.’ The Age

For an International Women's Day 2for1 special grab your tickets here and use the code IWD2020: https://www.comedyfestival.com.au/…/comedy-women-s-associat…

Annie Louey is a Chinese-Australian comedian and broadcaster who works across stage, screen and radio

29/02/2020

Lauren Bok is a 2019 Golden Gibbo nominated comedian with over 8 years of experience in performance, radio and TV.

A comedic chameleon Lauren does mimes, burlesque, stand-up and silly voices.

Comedy Women's Association is proud to announce that Lauren Bok has been added to our lineup of rising stars for Absolutely Cooked - Easter Special!

Grab your tickets here - https://www.comedyfestival.com.au/2020/shows/comedy-women-s-association

Lauren Bok is an award-winning Melbourne-based comedian, writer and performer