Cockatoo Island Comedy Festival a World First
Sydney Comedy Fans Prepare for World's Funniest Island
Jul 29, 2009
Tens of thousands of comedy fans are expected to flock to the World’s Funniest Island festival to see 200 performances at a range of venues; from large outdoor stages that can play to 3,000 punters right down to intimate rooms where around 60 can enjoy the show.
The Goodies (UK), Alexei Sayle (UK), Allah Made Me Funny (USA), Jane Bussmann (USA), The Axis of Awesome, Tripod, Scared Weird Little Guys, Heath Franklin’s Chopper, Andrew Hansen, Anthony Ackroyd, Austen Tayshus, Beaconsfield: The Musical, and many more will take to the various stages.
New Kid on the Sydney Festival Block
Festival director John Pinder has told Suite101 that he and co-director Mark Ford have taken a leaf out of the music festival book, with their world first outdoor comedy festival.
“Five years ago we had a flash that wouldn’t it be great if you could do comedy like the big outdoor music festivals. Where you can get a ticket for one or two days and see nine or ten shows in a day. Finding the right venue was tricky, but as soon as we visited Cockatoo Island it was a light bulb moment.”
Cockatoo Island Venue a Hit With Comedians
Cockatoo Island has had a long and varied history, including time as a navy base, Australia’s biggest shipyard, a reformatory and a prison. With its incredible harbour views and industrial feel, Pinder says the comedians who have visited Cockatoo Island are thrilled by the idea of performing on Sydney’s Alcatraz.
“Everybody who has been there says this place is magic. When we took one of the guys from “Allah Made Me Funny” out to the island for the first time he was on the phone within two minutes, texting madly and saying ‘this is going to be one of the most fantastic things we’ve ever done’ to his mates.”
“It’s just a magical place with wonderful old buildings and outdoor areas where you can enjoy the ‘all in together’ festival experience.”
Young Stand Ups to Join Their Comedy Heroes
Pinder says he is excited to not only be bringing out some comedy legends, but also to be providing a showcase for young stand-ups.
“Bill Harding, who wrote the Norman Gunston shows was at the festival launch and said ‘You know why I’m going don’t you? Because I can see all of that young talent in one go. I’m too old to be hopping around clubs at midnight.’ It’s going to be a fantastic opportunity to see some of the best new talent in the country.”
Wet Weather Plans for Cockatoo Island
While the majority of the 18 venues are under cover, Pinder says it’s unlikely rain will affect those people enjoying the fresh Sydney Harbour air while taking in a show.
“We analysed the weather and October is the driest month in Sydney, and the temperature will be just right. We couldn’t have it in the heat of summer because so many of the industrial structures are metal and it would have been too hot inside.”
For those who like to be prepared for any weather eventuality, Pinder warns that umbrellas will not be allowed on the island as they have been deemed weapons by the insurance company, and suggests packing a poncho instead.
BYO Alcohol is also not permitted, but with 15 bars around the island there will be plenty of places to grab a drink.
Booking Tickets to Cockatoo Island Comedy Festival
As John Pinder puts it, “Islands are amazing things as everyone from Gilligan to Shakespeare has told us but there are logistical problems. You have to get a lot of boats.”
Cockatoo Island is just ten minutes by ferry from Wharf 8/9, King Street, Darling Harbour. Included in the price of the festival ticket is a ferry ride to and from the island. When making a booking, festival-goers are asked to select which ferry they will travel on, so it’s best to book early to snap up a spot on one of the earlier ferries.
Some of the biggest names will be performing around lunchtime, so it’s recommended to arrive on the Island as early as possible and make a full day of it.
A one day pass to the World’s Funniest Island costs $119.90, while a two day ticket is $209.90
For more information and to buy tickets visit the World’s Funniest Island Official Website.
The first Cockatoo Island comedy festival will be held on 17-18 October 2009.
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