Seriously funny in FNQ
Big names heading to Cairns but thriving local scene has last laugh
THE Far North has been put on the map as a comedy destination with international stars, Aussie favourites and homegrown standups hitting the stage.
Laughing Heart Comedy puts on a weekly showcase at Cairns venue Three Wolves that brings together a mix of local talent and visiting professionals.
“It’s gone gangbusters. In the last year, especially since Covid, every single show for the most part sells out,” Laughing Heart coowner Peter James said.
Mr James said that the thriving comedy scene had made Cairns a popular choice for comedians.
“I think it has a lot to say that we are doing things right up here. You look at people’s national schedules and we are often the only regional town on it,” he said.
“The people who manage these big comedians, they can see that there’s this local scene and it sells out every single week ahead of time.
“It’s not like the typical regional town where they aren’t exposed to comedy. All the comedians that come here are all shocked and amazed.”
Comedian Mel Buttle from Brisbane will be back in Cairns on Sunday July 10 at Three Wolves.
Ms Buttle agreed that the comedy scene was strong in Cairns – producing great stand-ups like Peter James and Shad Wicka.
“I’ve had great gigs in Cairns. The audiences come to see comedy, which isn’t always the case in
other cities, some people come to watch the greyhounds,” she said.
The atmosphere in Cairns is also enticing to performers outside of the region.
“I love Cairns! Always nice and hot, and a great place to wear thongs and have no one bat an eyelid,” she said.
“Cairns people have formal thongs and casual thongs.
“I won’t pick on you in the crowd – well, unless you’re in your casual thongs, then I may ask why you didn’t dress up for me.”
Among the big names coming to the Far North is British comedian Jimmy Carr, who will perform at Cairns Performing Arts Centre on April 30 next year.
Local comedian and Laughing Heart Comedy co-owner Joe Waddington said international acts were good for Cairns audiences.
“It does introduce a lot of people to the comedy scene. A lot of people don’t go to the small show like ours (but) they go to the big shows and that introduces them to comedy,” he said. “I feel like the comedy club scene is a whole other experience for those people.”
Mr Waddington said once people get a taste, they’ll want more.
“Those big shows, they are almost like totally different things,” he said.
“The local shows are an intimate experience and it’s more like a comedy club compared to a stadium show. It is a really different experience compared to those big shows and for it to be so frequent in Cairns is great for the local audiences.”