The Melbourne International Comedy Festival Gala, or Oxfam Gala, is a comedy show run annually as part of the Melbourne International Comedy Festival. Billed as Australian comedy's 'night of nights', it is held one week before the festival opens, and acts as a fundraiser for the charity Oxfam Australia.
List of performers by year 1991 Host: David Strassman Gerry Connolly Gina Riley & Tina Arena Glenn Robbins & Mary-Anne Fahey Jane Turner & Peter Moon Kym Gyngell Magda Szubanski & Alan Pentland Marg Downey Matt Parkinson & Greg Fleet Nick Giannopoulos & Michael Veitch Norman Gunston Rachel Berger Sean Hughes Shane Bourne Steve Blackburn & Geoff Brooks Terry Jones The D-Generation (Rob Sitch, Santo Cilauro & Tom Gleisner) Wendy Harmer
1992 Host: Shane Bourne Agro Bea Arthur Chris Lynam David Strassman George Kapiniaris Georgie Parker Gerry Connolly (as Elizabeth II) Jane Turner (as Bobbie Battista) Jimeoin Kate Raison Libbi Gorr (as Elle McFeast) with Janine De Lorenzo Nick Giannopoulos Rachel Berger Scared Weird Little Guys Simon Hill (as Paul Keating) Stomp The Blakeney Twins The Found Objects (Colin Lane, Frank Woodley & Scott Casley) Tiny Tim Effie (Mary Coustas) Trevor Marmalade
1993 Host: Gerry Connolly and Ernie Dingo Andy Goodone Anthony Morgan Chris Lynam Darren Casey Greg Champion Jimeoin Judith Lucy Lano & Woodley Lenny Henry Marty Putz Mary Coustas (as Effie) Rachel Berger Sal Upton Sean Hughes Shane Bourne Simon Hill (as Jeff Kennett) Stomp The Amazing Johnathan The Empty Pockets (Greg Fleet & Matt Quartermaine) The Scared Weird Little Guys
1994 Host: Wendy Harmer Bobcat Goldthwait Ennio Marchetto Flacco (Paul Livingston) Franklyn Ajaye Glynn Nicholas Jack Dee Jimeoin Judith Lucy Kinky Friedman Lano & Woodley Leslie Nielsen New Joke City (Greg Fleet, Marty Sheargold & Matt King) No Dangly Bits (Robyn Butler & Jeanette Cronin) Olé Phil Kay Steady Eddy The Amazing Johnathan Tokyo Shock Boys Tom Kenny
1995 Host: Andrew Denton featuring Magda Szubanski Alan Davies Anthony Morgan Brian Nankervis Emo Philips Flacco Glynn Nicholas Jack Dee Judith Lucy Lano & Woodley Lee Evans Lynda Gibson Rachel Berger Robyn Butler Scott Capurro Sean Hughes Steady Eddy Steve Kearney The 3 Canadians Scared Weird Little Guys Vince Sorrenti
1996 Host: Julia Morris featuring Bruno Lucia Bill Bailey Bob Downe Bob Franklin & Matt King Ed Byrne Flacco Fred Rowan Greg Fleet Jimeoin Lano & Woodley Paul McDermott & Mosh Poulter & Duff Rich Hall Rudy Coby Scared Weird Little Guys Scott Capurro Wadaiko Ichiro
1997 Host: Judith Lucy and Shane Bourne Bill Bailey Boothby Graffoe Corky and the Juice Pigs Dame Sybil (Seán Cullen) Ed Byrne Frank Skinner Greg Fleet Greg Proops Hung Le Jeff Green Lano & Woodley Peter Berner Rhona Cameron Rich Hall Rod Quantock Scared Weird Little Guys Umbilical Brothers
1998 Host: Paul McDermott Al Murray The Pub Landlord Alan Parker - Urban Warrior (Simon Munnery) Anthony Morgan Dave O'Neil Bob Downe (Mark Trevorrow) Ed Byrne Greg Fleet James O'Loghlin John Hegley Julian Clary Matt King Owen O'Neill Parsons and Naylor STOMP The Fabulous Singlettes The Nualas Scared Weird Little Guys The Three Canadians Tokyo Shock Boys Wil Anderson Source:
1999 Host: Rove McManus Jeff Green Carl Barron Judith Lucy Drew Fraser Lano & Woodley Adam Bloom Matt King Patrice O'Neal Scared Weird Little Guys Greg Fleet The League Against Tedium (Simon Munnery) Rachel Berger Dave Hughes Jimeoin Franklyn Ajaye Wil Anderson Dave O'Neil James O'Loghlin David Strassman Keith Robinson Lynn Ferguson Tripod Source:
2000 Host: Lano & Woodley Adam Bloom Arctic Boosh Arj Barker Boothby Graffoe & Phil Moriarty Carl Barron Cool Heat Urban Beat Dave Hughes Dave O'Neil Denise Scott Greg Fleet Johnny Vegas Kitty Flanagan Lano & Woodley Margaret Smith Matt King Peter Berner Peter Helliar Rachel Berger Sarah Kendall Scared Weird Little Guys Stewart Lee Tom Rhodes Tripod Wil Anderson Source:
2001 Host: Jimeoin Adam Hills Arj Barker Auto Boosh Chris Addison Dave Gorman Dave Hughes Dave O'Neil Deirdre O'Kane Greg Fleet Jeff Green Jenny Eclair Jimeoin Johnny Vegas Judith Lucy Lano & Woodley Miss Itchy Peter Helliar Rich Hall aka Otis Lee Crenshaw Rod Quantock Sarah Kendall Tripod Wil Anderson Source:
2002 Host: Wil Anderson Al Murray Bob Downe Carl Barron Chris Addison Daniel Kitson Dave Hughes Hattie Hayridge John Hegley Lano & Woodley Paul McDermott Peter Helliar Rachel Berger René Hicks Tony Woods Tripod Umbilical Brothers Source:
2003 Host: Dave Hughes Arj Barker Boothby Graffoe Cal Wilson Dan Antopolski Damian Callinan Daniel Kitson Danny Bhoy Dave Callan Dave Hughes Dave O'Neil Fiona O'Loughlin Flight of the Conchords Francesca Martinez Glenn Wool Jimeoin Lawrence Mooney Lee Mack Men in Coats Mike Wilmot Noel Fielding Paul McDermott and GUD Sarah Kendall Tom Gleeson Tripod Wil Anderson Source:
2004 Host: Magda Szubanski Adam Hills Akmal Saleh Chris Addison Daniel Kitson Danny Bhoy Dave Hughes Denise Scott Fiona O'Loughlin Greg fleet Howard Read (as Big Howard Little Howard) Lano & Woodley Lee Mack Maria Bamford Meshel Laurie Paul McDermott and GUD Rob Rouse Sarah Kendall Scared Weird Little Guys The Schneedles Todd Barry Tom Gleeson Tripod Wil Anderson Source:
2005 Host: Dave Hughes Adam Hills Akmal Saleh Arj Barker Bill Bailey Bob Downe Chris Addison Danny Bhoy Dave O'Neil Demetri Martin Denise Scott Eddie Perfect Paul McDermott and GUD Jason Byrne Jeff Green Jimeoin Maria Bamford Mike Wilmot Rich Hall Scott Brennan & Cal Wilson Sean Lock Stephen K Amos The Kransky Sisters Tripod Umbilical Brothers Wil Anderson Source:
2006 Host: Adam Hills Arj Barker Cal Wilson Charlie Pickering Corinne Grant Danny Bhoy Dave Hughes David O'Doherty Demetri Martin Dylan Moran Fiona O'Loughlin Freestyle Love Supreme Jason Byrne Jimeoin & Bob Franklin Judith Lucy Lano and Woodley Rich Hall and Mike Wilmot Stephen K Amos Tim Minchin Tripod Wil Anderson Source:
2007 Host: Peter Helliar Adam Hills Ardal O'Hanlon Corinne Grant Dave Hughes David O'Doherty Ed Byrne Fiona O'Loughlin Greg Fleet with Mick Moriarty Jason Byrne Jeff Green The cast of Keating! Mark Watson Phil Nichol Russell Howard Shappi Khorsandi Stephen K. Amos Puppet Up: The Jim Henson Puppet Company Tim Minchin Tom Gleeson Tripod Wil Anderson Source:
2008 Host: Paul McDermott Arj Barker Charlie Pickering Dave Hughes David O'Doherty Des Bishop Fiona O'Loughlin Frank Woodley Glenn Wool Jason Byrne Jeff Green Julia Morris Kristen Schaal and Kurt Braunohler Mark Watson Nina Conti Phil Nichol Reginald D Hunter Rove McManus Sean Choolburra Shane Warne: The Musical (Eddie Perfect) Shappi Khorsandi Stephen K Amos Tom Gleeson Tripod Umbilical Brothers Wil Anderson Source:
2009 Host: Shaun Micallef Adam Hills Arj Barker Brendon Burns Charlie Pickering Chooky Dancers Dave Hughes Denise Scott Des Bishop Fiona O'Loughlin Hannah Gadsby James Galea Jamie Kilstein Jason Byrne Jimeoin Josh Thomas Josie Long Judith Lucy Mike Wilmot Nina Conti Otis Lee Crenshaw Russell Kane Sammy J Sarah Millican Tim Minchin Tim Vine Tom Gleeson Source:
2010 Host: Kitty Flanagan Aamer Rahman Andrew O'Neill Arj Barker Bobby Spade Damian Callinan Felicity Ward Frank Woodley Hannah Gadsby Jamie Kilstein Jason Byrne Jimeoin Jon Richardson Josh Thomas Nina Conti The Pajama Men Russell Kane Sam Simmons Sarah Millican Tim Vine Tom Gleeson Tripod Wil Anderson Source:
2011 Host: Josh Thomas Bob Franklin Cal Wilson Caroline Rhea Dave Thornton Dead Cat Bounce Denise Scott Doc Brown Eddie Perfect Hannibal Buress Jason Byrne Maria Bamford Moshe Kasher Paul F. Tompkins Reginald D Hunter Russell Kane Stephen K Amos Steve Hughes The Bedroom Philosopher Tom Gleeson Wil Anderson Source:
2012 Host: Sammy J & Randy Cal Wilson Celia Pacquola Dave Hughes Dave Thornton David Callan David O'Doherty DeAnne Smith Dixie Longate Fiona O'Loughlin Frank Woodley Glenn Wool Greg Fleet and Mick Moriarty Hannah Gadsby Jason Byrne Keith Robinson Mike Wilmot Paul Foot Peter Helliar Sarah Kendall Stephen K Amos Tom Ballard Tom Green Source:
2013 Host: Dave Hughes Arj Barker Cal Wilson Dave Callan Dave Hughes Dave Thornton Hannah Gadsby Idiots of Ants Jimmy McGhie Josh Thomas Kitty Flanagan Loretta Maine Matt Okine Paul Foot Peter Helliar Ronny Chieng Sarah Millican Sean Choolburra Steve Hughes Stephen K Amos The Kransky Sisters Tom Ballard Tommy Little Urzila Carlson Source:
2014 Host: Eddie Perfect Celia Pacquola Denise Scott Doc Brown Eddie Ifft Eddie Perfect, Tripod & The MSO Chorus Felicity Ward Fiona O'Loughlin Frank Woodley Jason Byrne Jeff Green Joel Creasey Lawrence Mooney Luke McGregor Matt Okine Max & Ivan Milton Jones Paul Foot Ronny Chieng Sammy J & Randy The Boy With Tape On His Face Tom Ballard Tom Gleeson Urzila Carlson Source:
2015 Host: Joel Creasey Arj Barker Celia Pacquola Dave Hughes Dave Thornton Fiona O'Loughlin Hannah Gadsby James Acaster Jason Byrne Jeff Green Joel Creasey Lawrence Mooney Luisa Omielan Matt Okine Max & Ivan Mike Wilmot Nazeem Hussain ONGALS Pajama Men Paul Foot Puddles Ronny Chieng Sammy J & Randy Tom Ballard Tommy Little Urzila Carlson Source:
2016 Host: Celia Pacquola Anne Edmonds Arj Barker Andy Saunders Daniel Sloss Dave Hughes Dave Thornton David O'Doherty Frank Woodley Hal Cruttenden Ivan Aristeguieta Jake Johannsen Jeff Green Joel Creasey Joel Dommett Luisa Omielan Matt Okine Nazeem Hussain Rhys Nicholson Rich Hall Sammy J & Randy Steen Raskopoulos Stephen K Amos Tommy Little Source:
2017 Host: Wil Anderson Anne Edmonds Arj Barker Aunty Donna Cal Wilson Damien Power Daniel Connell Daniel Sloss DeAnne Smith Demi Lardner Frank Woodley Ivan Aristeguieta Jason Byrne Joel Creasey Lawrence Mooney Loyiso Gola Luke McGregor Mae Martin Matt Okine Nick Cody Paul Foot Rhys Nicholson Sammy J Stephen K Amos Stuart Goldsmith Tommy Little Urzila Carlson Source:
2018 Host: Matt Okine Arj Barker Becky Lucas Briefs Cal Wilson Carl Donnelly Dane Simpson Dave Hughes Dave Thornton DeAnne Smith Douglas Lim Geraldine Hickey James Galea Jeff Green Joel Creasey Lady Rizo Loyiso Gola Luke Heggie Nath Valvo Phil Wang Rich Hall Sam Simmons Sammy J & Randy Stephen K Amos Tom Gleeson Tommy Little Urzila Carlson Source:
2019 Host: Tom Gleeson Anne Edmonds Becky Lucas Damien Power Daniel Connell Dave Thornton DeAnne Smith Douglas Lim Fern Brady Geraldine Hickey Guy Montgomery John Hastings Larry Dean Mel Buttle Nath Valvo Nazeem Hussain Nikki Britton Georgie Carroll Paul Foot Phil Wang Rhys Nicholson Sam Campbell & Paul Williams Steph Tisdell Tommy Little You Am I Source:
2020 The 2020 festival was cancelled in its entirety due to concerns surrounding COVID-19 and the extension of restrictions relating to efforts to stem the spread of the pandemic in Australia. Source:
2021 Host: Becky Lucas Aaron Chen Andy Saunders Arj Barker Blake Freeman Carl Donnelly Dane Simpson Daniel Connell Dave Thornton David Quirk Georgie Carroll Geraldine Hickey Joel Creasey Jude Perl Lizzy Hoo Lloyd Langford Nick Cody Nikki Britton Randy Feltface Reuben Kaye Sam Taunton Tommy Little Tripod Zoë Coombs Marr Source:
2022 Host: Steph Tisdell Alex Ward Andy Saunders Blake Freeman Brett Blake Chris Ryan Claire Hooper Fern Brady Geraldine Hickey Hot Brown Honey: The Remix Lano & Woodley Lizzy Hoo Lloyd Langford Luke Heggie Melanie Bracewell Nath Valvo