The Great Debate is one of the most eagerly anticipated shows at the Melbourne International Comedy Festival. Every April, Melbourne‘s theatres, bars and public buildings fill with a line up of comedians from around the world, and the crowds that come to see them. The Great Debate is held in Melbourne’s Town Hall, and is a comedic debate held by six high profile comedians, making it a great way to get bang for your buck if you’re not sure who to see.

I missed the Australian Open and the Melbourne Fashion Festival this year, and I was determined to finally attend one of the many events Melbourne is famous for!

Last year, my boyfriend and I watched The Great Debate, huddled up on the couch in our Stradbroke Island Beach Shack, while it rained cats and dogs outside. It was exciting to be able to go and see it live, in person now that we live in Melbourne.

We pre-purchased tickets and arrived ten minutes beforehand, to find that the queue outside Melbourne Town Hall wound around the corner. We followed the queue, along the length of the entire Swanston/Collins St block and joined it near the crossing at Russell St. By the time we started moving, people were queued down the next block too.

I acknowledge the Boon Wurrung and Woiwurrung people as the First Nations owners of the lands now recognised as Melbourne. I pay respect to their Elders, lores, customs and creation spirits. I recognise that these lands have always been places of great natural beauty, culture and community. 

The topic was “Social Media is Anti-Social”, with Ronny Chieng, Katherine Ryan and Rich Hall on the affirmative, against Joel Creasley, Sara Pascoe and Russell Kane on the negative, moderated by Waleed Aly.

Even though the affirmative team was deemed winner (judged by getting the loudest applause), the negative team was my favourite. Joel Creasley is hilarious and Sara Pascoe and Russell Kane were also great.

The only comedian I’d heard of before the show was Joel Creasley, who I’d definitely see again, but I’ll also keep an eye out for Ronny Chieng’s shows in the future, he was hilarious.

It was also a great chance to see some international comedians, who are well-known in their own country, but I’d never heard of. To be fair – I’ve hardly heard of any comedians, as far as the comedy world goes, I live under a rock. They’re probably relatively well known here too.

Sara Pascoe and Russell Kane are British comedians, and since the show I’ve YouTubed Sara’s other stand up shows around the world. I think she’s got a great witty, but humble and laid back approach, which makes her enjoyable to listen to, since I can’t stand ranting comedians. Does anyone else find listening to ranting and raving stressful?

Katherine Ryan is Canadian and Rich Hall is American. Rich’s angry-man comedian style isn’t really my thing, and I thought most of Katherine’s content was a little off topic, but I’ve YouTubed her other stand up shows and I’ve found her to be really sharp, witty and super ballsy.

It was great going to an iconic Melbourne event and experiencing something different. I’ll definitely go to the Melbourne International Comedy Festival again and I can’t wait to see what comes up next on Melbourne’s busy events calendar.

Visiting Melbourne? Check out my Melbourne Guide.

Genevieve Lauren

Hello! I’m an Australian travel blogger, living in Melbourne, Australia. I grew up in Brisbane, studied in Paris, lived & worked in New York City and now live in Melbourne, Australia.

I love sharing specific and useful recommendations, itineraries and guides for the most beautiful things to see, do, experience & eat wherever I go.

My favourite travel destinations are Australia, New York City & surrounds, France, Greece & Japan, but I’m always excited to explore somewhere new!

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