For 40 years, the Melbourne International Comedy Festival has brought the laughs to town with a line-up of comedians, characters, and theatre shows. This year, they’ll take that to new heights – quite literally – as Spiegel Haus becomes an official venue of the Festival, and unveils a side-splitting line-up of comedy and events. From March 25 all the way through to April 19, Spiegel Haus will feature a mix of headline shows, stand up comedy, and family-friendly events that’ll have you chuckling your way home.
Chief amongst those is the arrival of a greatest hits show from cabaret collective Briefs Factory, known as ‘The Works’. Repeatedly described as ‘filthy’ (in the best possible way), this is strictly adults-only entertainment, which brings Briefs’ glitter-clad favourite moments out of the vault and into the spotlight once more. An ear-thumping soundtrack completes the raucous night, which promises to leave jaws on the floor and nothing to the imagination.
Other headline shows to sample at Spiegel Haus during the Festival include the ever-popular Blanc De Blanc Encore, which has already enjoyed a stellar run at Spiegel Haus over the summer. You can also catch Merrick Watts’ hilarious yet educational An Idiots Guide to Wine, which has started to make waves around Australia and overseas as a perfect blend of comedy and wine tasting. Finally, there’s no way you’ll want to miss the spectacular Elixir Revived. The winner of the Best Circus Award 2025 at the Sydney Fringe, it’s billed as ‘Cirque du Soleil meets Magic Mike’ – do I really need to sell that to you any further?
Comedy fans will want to have Thursdays at Spiegel Haus circled on their calendar; that’s when Carl Donnelly presents The Fun Haus, with a rotating guestlist of Festival favourites and newcomers alike. Don’t miss the quirkily-named Quirk’s Quintessential Quomedy Quollective either, as David Quirk has handpicked a line-up of his top comedians for a quick-witted, quotable Saturday night comedy quorum.
Families won’t miss out on Spiegel Haus’ Melbourne International Comedy Festival fun, either. There’s a delightful blend of magic, circus, and more to enjoy during the April school holidays, including the multi award-winning The Greatest Magic Show!, back for a seventh year at the Festival. Meanwhile, Magnus Danger Magnus brings his gloriously fun science show, Kaboom!, to town, Dr Hubble’s Brilliant Bubbles will prove especially magical for the littlest audiences, and Circus The Show! is a circus spectacle that the whole family will love (and perhaps the only child-suitable circus show at Spiegel Haus this April).
With ten shows as part of the Melbourne International Comedy Festival, Spiegel Haus is all primed to be a hub of laughs, intrigue, and excitement. Plus, their enviable rooftop bar and much-loved CDMX taco truck will be open for food and drinks, turning those balmy autumn nights into unforgettable events. You’ll kick yourself for missing this comedy celebration…