Back for its 11th edition, Side Splitter Comedy Festival returns to Memorial Hall this October with national headline acts, homegrown festival energy, a pop-up garden bar and two packed weekends of stand-up close to home.
Tag Archives: comedy
Spotlight
Start laughing – this is serious
30 July 2026
WA Comedy Week returns with an array of local talent set to take the edge off the winter blues. Stephen Bevis reports how a dose of Vitamin C is a perfect pick-me-up in a troubled world.
Reviews
Dave Hughes cooks up everyman comedy-fest gem
5 May 2026
In Cooked, Dave Hughes mines an AFL Legends charity-match injury for a loose, self-effacing set that also detours through Perth beginnings, family life and the realities behind his TV persona.
Features
FRINGE WORLD on mission to strengthen social fabric
11 January 2026
The summer arts showcase returns to inspire courage, curiosity and community, writes Stephen Bevis.
Reviews
Disaster, delirium and nonstop laughs in The Play That Goes Wrong
18 November 2025
A perfectly calibrated chaos-fest, The Play That Goes Wrong delivers wall-to-wall gags, collapsing sets and riotous comic timing. In her review, Sarah-Jayne Eeles finds the latest Australian tour as sharp, silly and side-splitting as ever.
Reviews
Ballajura is the surprising inspiration for a heartfelt drag show
7 July 2025
Mark Naglazas reviews The Boy from Ballajura, which returned to Connections after winning raves during this year’s Fringe World.
The Festival Sessions
Something for everyone at homegrown comedy club
17 January 2023
Variety is the spice of life at The Laugh Resort, and with more than 70 comedians featured in its Fringe line-up, there’s plenty to choose from.
The Festival Sessions
Feeling socially awkward at the circus
9 January 2023
Have you ever experienced the loneliness of being at a party where you don’t know anybody? Melon the Human brings this feeling to life in his debut Fringe show.
Reviews
The quokkas are revolting
28 January 2020
In Quokka Apocalypse, David Zampatti discovers that the last laugh is on us.
The Festival Sessions
Diving into the divas
15 January 2020
UK drag queen Velma Celli is obsessed with divas and in her latest show, Me & My Divas, she celebrates the big names, from Judy Garland to Jessie J… all live, no lip-synching. Seesaw caught up with Velma’s alter ego, Ian Stroughair, to find out more.