Tickets are on sale for Wagga Comedy Fest 2025. Photo: Shri Gayathirie Rajen.
The comedy scene in Wagga Wagga was almost nonexistent a decade ago.
With no comedy club or regular stand-up nights in Wagga, comedian Dane Simpson and his wife decided to create a comedy scene for the region.
“My wife and I had to start from scratch. It’s not like in a major city, where you just find a venue and book some comedians. There weren’t even comedians in Wagga — we had to go out and find them,” Dane said at the launch of Wagga Comedy Fest 2025.
“We went to Toastmasters groups, poetry slams, and all sorts of different events, just gathering a ragtag bunch of people and creating this club.
“Even the taxi driver I had the night before our first show told me a joke, and I said, ‘Buddy, do you want to come to the comedy show tomorrow night? It’s our first one.’
“We had Geraldine Hickey as our headliner 10 years ago.”
Dane said it was exciting to see how the effort to build a comedy scene had evolved into the annual festival.
“We’ve got comedy happening all around the place, and in Wagga — that’s insane. What growth in 10 years,” he said.
“I’m so proud of the comedians, and this year, we’re taking a bunch of them to the Melbourne International Comedy Festival to perform Best of the Bush, featuring comedians from Wagga, Albury, and Canberra.
“It’s amazing. I’m so proud of everyone — the locals who dug deep, stuck with it for years, and made their craft incredible. Some of their jokes, honestly, could rival anything from the major cities.”
The annual comedy celebration will return to the region for another weekend full of laughter, entertainment, and unforgettable performances over the June long weekend (5 to 8 June).
“I’m excited for the Wagga Comedy Festival and to have the Riverina Comedy Clubhouse back,” Dane said.
“My mum is going to be taking the stage at the comedy festival. She’s an academic and incredibly smart.
“I don’t know if I’m looking forward to that or if I’m just going to cringe. But it will be cool to have my mother involved.”
The veteran comedian said the Wagga festival was all about creating an interactive, fun, and engaging experience.
“How cool is it to bring this calibre of performers to a regional area? I love that people get to experience these incredible comedians without having to travel.
“If you go to a major city to see a show, it becomes a massive burden on the wallet. But to have them come to you, and to experience it all in this one weekend, is just incredible.”
This year’s festival offers more than 20 performances across four venues over four days.
Civic Theatre Manager Claire Harris promises audiences will have the opportunity to enjoy some of the best comedic acts from across the country, with an exciting balance of well-established performers and more experimental, fringe-style acts.
The line-up features big names such as Dave Hughes, Melanie Bracewell and Luke McGregor, as well as quirky fringe acts like The Dilapidated Diva, Garry Starr, and Gladys: A Musical Affair.
“It’s a chance to explore different kinds of comedy, from cabaret and musicals to stand-up,” Claire said.
“If you’re booking a ticket for one of the more familiar faces, I encourage you to dive into something new and surprising as well.
“I am particularly excited to see Stephanie Broadbridge on stage for her parody Breaking: The Musical. After seeing and hearing so much about the story in the news following the infamous Paris Olympics, it’s really exciting that the show is coming to Wagga Wagga.”
Stephanie Broadbridge, the star and creator of Breaking: The Musical, visited Wagga for the launch of the festival on Monday night. Launch event attendees were treated to a sneak peek at some breakdance moves and a taste of what to expect when she returns in June with her show.
“It’s my first time in Wagga, and I’m looking forward to seeing the comedy scene that I’ve heard so much about,” Stephanie said.
“We can’t wait to bring Breaking: The Musical, a parody and unauthorised (but completely legal) telling of an Australian Olympian’s journey to the Paris Olympics, to the people of the Riverina.”
Festival Schedule
Thursday 5 June
Gladys: A Musical Affair – 5 and 7:30 pm, Civic Theatre
The Great WCF Debate – 6:30 pm, Riverina Comedy ClubHouse
Friday 6 June
Tommy Little – I’m Not Proud – 6 pm, Civic Theatre
Jeromaia Detto – When I Grow Up – 6 pm, Riverina Comedy ClubHouse
Brown Women Comedy – FREE SHOW – 7:15 pm, CSU Riverina Playhouse
The Gong Show – Hosted by Dane Simpson – 7:15 pm, Riverina Comedy ClubHouse
Melanie Bracewell – A Little Treat – 8:30 pm, Civic Theatre
Breaking: The Musical – 9 pm, CSU Riverina Playhouse
Saturday 7 June
Chris Ryan – Extreme Talent – 5 pm, CSU Riverina Playhouse
Dave Hughes – WTF? – 6 pm, Civic Theatre
Dilapidated Diva – On The Verge – 7:15 pm, CSU Riverina Playhouse
Richard Glover – How to Change the World – 7:15 pm, Riverina Comedy ClubHouse
Richard Glover – Behind the Fridays – 8:30 pm, Riverina Comedy ClubHouse
Luke McGregor – OKAY, WOW – 8:30 pm, Civic Theatre
Garry Starr – Classic Penguins – 9 pm, CSU Riverina Playhouse
Shad & Pete Save The World – 9:30 pm, Riverina Comedy ClubHouse
Sunday 8 June
Karate Man – A Live-action Video Game – 4 pm, Civic Theatre
Bogan Bingo – 6 pm, The Laugh Lounge
Sammy J – The Kangaroo Effect – 6 pm, Civic Theatre
The B.S. with Jamie and Leigh: Sunday Live & Late! – 8:30 pm, Civic Theatre
Tickets for the Wagga Comedy Festival can be purchased via Wagga Wagga Civic Theatre.
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