Mathew’s gigs:
POLITICAL ASYLUM CANBERRA TOUR
21-24 March 2012
POLITICAL ASYLUM’S LATE NIGHT RIOT!
31 March, 7 April, 14 April, 21 April
For details, tickets, videos etc. go to the Political Asylum website:
http://www.politicalasylum.com.au
POLITICAL ASYLUM’S 2010 ELECTION EXTRAVAGANZA!
Thursday 12 August, 7:30pm at Trades Hall.
We’ve pulled together all our best comedians with all their best topical material to completely blow the lid off this election, live on the big stage. Not only do we have an amazing lineup of Political Asylum regulars, but check out this guest list: ROD QUANTOCK. DAMIAN CALLINAN. CATHERINE DEVENY. We’ve never had a show this big before. It’s going to be AWESOME.
On top of this, Mathew Kenneally will be launching his new run for federal office during the show. The last time Mat sought the top job was before the previous election in 2007, and he picked up the BEST COMEDY award at Melbourne Fringe for his efforts. Three years on, he’s back with a host of new policies that promise to be even more ridiculous than before.
One show only! Don’t wait to get your tickets, this event will sell out. BOOK HERE.
POLITICAL ASYLUM’S 2010 ELECTION TOUR
Tuesday 17 – Friday 20 August, C Block Theatre, Braddon ACT.
Calling all constituents! Vote with your funny bone and come along to Political Asylum’s 2010 Election Special! Two hours of topical gags inspired by Julia’s policies and Tony’s speedos, delivered by a superb lineup of Australia’s best political comedians.
Featuring:
Mathew Kenneally (Best Comedy, Melbourne Fringe 2007)
Aamer Rahman and Nazeem Hussain from Fear of a Brown Planet (Best Newcomers, MICF 2008)
Courteney Hocking (Best Political Show, Comedy @ Trades 2008)
Toby Halligan (co-author of the underground hit Journal of a Rudd Staffer)
Jon Brooks (award winning comedian, and drummer with the Guantanamo Bay City Rollers)
Scott Abbot (wisecrack specialist – no relation to Tony, that’s he’s aware of)
We were going to do a 6 night tour through to August 22, but then the PM got in the way by calling the election! So we’ll be in town for 4 NIGHTS ONLY! Tickets are available online now, and we implore you to book early, Canberra! The last time Mathew Kenneally and Toby Halligan came to town we had to turn away literally dozens of people at the door. But don’t fret – I have developed a cunning incentive scheme for you:
EARLYBIRD DISCOUNT - Blog subscribers and Facebook fans can use the promotional code ruddroll when you book to get a $5 discount per ticket! Don’t wait too long though, this discount works like airline pricing – the more people who book the less you save. The discount will reduce to $4, then $3 and so on as more people book, until it disappears. Does not apply to the Friday night show. Full pricing details are here.
There have been a number of reviews of Mat’s 2010 Comedy Festival show. Together, they confirm that this is easily his best show to date, with lots of positive comments and praise.
Chortle (UK) describes it as “a well-constructed show, delivered with conviction, with an impressive arsenal of witty, provocative gags.” Read the review here
Jayne D’arcy in The Age last Wednesday said “the sarcasm behind his political spiels is pervasive” Review not published online
Helen Razer calls Mathew a “smart young pragmatist” and describes his comedy as “good old-fashioned satire for a bad new generation” Read the editorial review here
The Groggy Squirrel says “there are times when you need someone like Matt to make you laugh at all the stupidity” Read the review here
If you’ve already seen it, awesome! Please tell your friends! If you haven’t seen it, get your tickets here. Finishes on Sunday.
Press Release
March 30, 2010
COMEDIAN TELLS JOKES sans BALACLAVA
In Yesterday’s Age, Michelle Griffin reported that comedians are donning balaclavas to address some untouchable subjects (Revelling in the art of darkness, March 29). Three topics were identified as completely out of bounds: Anzac Day, bushfires, the attacks on the Indian community.
As it so happens, comedian Mathew Kenneally tackles two of those very issues, at length, in his festival show Mathew Kenneally Flips the Bird at the Finger Pointers. And he does so without hiding his identity at all. MATHEW KENNEALLY. That’s one T in Mathew, two Ns and two Ls in Kenneally.
“The attacks on Indian students, and ANZAC day, are both intriguing topics for me at the moment” says Kenneally. “I also have some great material on Catholic priests sexually abusing young boys. In fact, practically my entire show should be off-limits, according to some people.”
“I think talking about untouchable topics is important, usually because they are untouchable for a reason. Often that is because there is an underlying discussion we don’t want to have.”
Kenneally believes one issue in particular is hard for Australians to talk about: “The attacks on Indian students involves two issues we hate to discuss: race and class. Add that to the fact that the best batsman in the world is an Indian – it’s all too upsetting.”
Mat also says he enjoys the controversial material: “As a satirist it’s what interests me most. I feel it’s the ideal space for a political comic to occupy: mocking people’s self-righteousness and earnestness about ‘no-go’ subjects”.
Kenneally is playing at the Victoria Hotel this festival. He plans to continue calling for an end to ANZAC day, even on ANZAC day itself. On what grounds? You’ll have to see the show to find out. Balaclavas not required.
Mathew Kenneally Flips the Bird at the Finger Pointers Venue: Acacia Room, Victoria Hotel, 215 Little Collins Street Dates: 25th March – 18th April (not Mondays), Previews 25th – 28th March Tickets: $20.00 Full, $22.50 Fri/Sat, $18.00 Conc, Groups (5+), Tuesdays, Previews Times: Tuesday – Saturday 8.30pm, Sunday 7.30pmBookings: Ticketmaster 1300 660 013, www.comedyfestival.com.au or at the doorPRESS CONTACT: Simon Barber Ph: 0402 142 569 simoncbarber@gmail.com
Opinion is the new black. Don’t know what you’re talking about? Make it up. This year Mathew Kenneally
gives his opinion on people with opinions. Does this make him a hypocrite? Yes. Luckily, hypocrisy is hilarious.
Here’s the plan:
Mat will tell jokes about the perilous state of the world.
Then he will tease people you find annoying (Tony Abbott).
Then he will tease you for being optimistic about clean coal technology.
Then he will tease himself.
Then back to Tony Abbott.
Victoria Hotel, 215 Little Collins Street
25 Mar – 18 Apr, Tues-Sat @ 8:30pm, Sun @ 7:30pm (no Mondays)
$20.00 Full, $22.50 Fri/Sat, $18.00 Conc, Groups (5+), Tuesdays, Previews
Ticketmaster 1300 660 013, www.comedyfestival.com.au or at the door
Also, don’t forget the Political Asylum special event at the Comedy Festival.
Stand-up comedians Mathew Kenneally and Toby Halligan bring their brand new festival shows to Canberra for two sneak preview double header performances ahead of the Melbourne International Comedy Festival. Halligan will delivery a high energy 25 minute set of hilarity, followed by a fresh new hour of laughs from Kenneally, the man who brought us the award winning “Mathew Kenneally for Parliament?”1 ticket, 2 comedians, 90 minutes of hilarity.
WHERE: The Front Gallery and Cafe, Lyneham Shops, Canberra
WHEN: Saturday 6th March @ 8:00pm
Sunday 7th March at @ 7:00pm
COST: $15
BOOKINGS: Online here.
IMPORTANT: There are TWO PERFORMANCES ONLY, at the fabulous but small The Front Gallery and Cafe. Given that Mat’s previous Canberra tours have sold out with 3 or 4 times as many tickets available, we strongly advise booking in advance, as door sales on the night are unlikely.
The Melbourne International Comedy Festival is almost upon us once again, and as always Mat has a brand new hour of topical material guaranteed to make you laugh out loud for 60 minutes straight! Except this
time, it’s No More Mr Nice Guy. This time, Kenneally fights back, with his show titled:
MATHEW KENNEALLY FLIPS THE BIRD AT THE FINGER POINTERS
Well, “fights back” is probably a little strong. But pointing, yes! There will be lots of very admonishing finger pointing going on, of that you can be certain!
Mathew Kenneally Flips the Bird at the Finger Pointers Melbourne International Comedy Festival Venue: Acacia Room, Victoria Hotel, 215 Little Collins Street Dates: 25th March – 18th April (not Mondays), Previews 25th – 28th March Tickets: $20.00 Full, $22.50 Fri/Sat, $18.00 Conc, Groups (5+), Tuesdays, Previews Times: Tuesday – Saturday 8.30pm, Sunday 7.30pm I’m co-hosting a new monthly comedy show!
Political Asylum is a new topical political comedy show featuring comedians doing topical social and political standup, mixed with occasional character pieces and audience interaction segments. It has a core group of performers but focuses on presenting strong guest standup comedians at each show.
It was launched at the Fringe Club in North Melbourne on October 8, and now runs monthly at The Brunswick Green on Sydney Road.
Go to the Political Asylum website for more details.
Mat’s recent tour of Canberra received excellent coverage in the local press. Check out this feature article in the Canberra Times.
