News & Reviews | Dirty Work Comedy

No Means No Show website is up and running

December 13th, 2010

The No Means No Show is a comedy show for teenagers about consensual and respectful relationships. It was written and developed by a team of writers and comedians headed by Nelly Thomas in collaboration with health professionals at CASA House at the Royal Women’s Hospital, Melbourne and is produced by Dirty Work Comedy. The No Means No Show was originally developed as a spin-off from the CASA House Sexual Assault Prevention Program for Secondary Schools (SAPPSS). Since 2006 the show has played to over 3000 secondary schools students in Victoria alone.

The website is mainly for young people who have seen or heard about the show, but also includes important information for teachers and support workers. It contains fact sheets, video and information on where to see to the No Means No Show.

Melinda Buttle on the campaign trail

August 4th, 2010

Throughout the Australian Federal Election, Melinda Buttle will be blogging extensively, giving you the insight you need to make an informed choice at the ballot box! Reulgar updates, fearless commentary, and rare insight freely available at www.melbuttle.com.au!

Mel is also appearing regularly on Network Ten’s The Circle, reviewing politicians’ Twitter usage. You’ve got to do a bit of clicking (try Entertainment > Discussion) but here’s a few clips.

P.S. Mel is particularly keen to talk to anyone in the know about Sid Sidebottom! Email us.

List Operators open in Edinburgh

May 13th, 2010

Following their remarkable success in being the first ever children’s show to be nominated for the Melbourne Comedy Festival’s Barry Award, the List Operators are smashing it with their show More Fun Than A Wii to the Edinburgh Fringe.

“The Listies” will be appearing at the Pleasance Cabaret Bar every day between August 6 and 30, at 12.40pm. But is Edinburgh, notorious for its cardiac-arresting embrace of fried food ready for the show’s Ultimate Sandwich stunt?

Book right here, folks.

Melinda Buttle nominated for Best Newcomer

May 13th, 2010

Melinda Buttle has been nominated for Best Newcomer at the 2010 Melbourne Comedy Festival for her show, Sista Got Flow. It’s been a great Festival for Melinda, selling out and garnering rave reviews. She is about to embark on extensive touring with the Comedy Festival Roadshow.

Damian Callinan nominated for Barry Award

May 13th, 2010

Damian Callinan has been nominated for a Barry Award for best show of the 2010 Melbourne International Comedy Festival. His show, The Merger is a sequel to his 2001 show Sportsman’s Night – which was also nominated for a Barry that year!

The Merger will be touring nationally in 2011.

Melinda Buttle, Sista Got Flow

March 31st, 2010

“Her material and delivery is strong and often laugh-out-loud funny.

Perhaps it is her curly hair or the rhythm of her speech, but there is something about Buttle that brings a young Judith Lucy to mind.”

Tonya Turner, Courier Mail 2010

“I’ve just seen the future of Australian comedy and it’s spelt MEL BUTTLE. You’ll understand that feeling you get when you see a new comic and you know you’ve witnessed something special…That feeling that drives you to contact all your comedy-loving friends straight after the gig and suggest they get on down to the Melbourne Town Hall and grab a ticket. Well, Melinda Buttle evoked that feeling with her debut comedy festival show Sista Got Flow.”

Australian Comedy Review, March 2010

Damian Callinan, The Merger

March 30th, 2010

“****IF you’re a fan of AFL football, then Damian Callinan’s take on multiculturalism in rural Australia is a must-see fixture this Fringe season.”

City Weekly, 2010

“With the use of very props and costume changes, along with a couple of sock puppets, Callinan flawlessly interchanges his voice, accents and postures to represent his diverse array of characters, opting for blackened stage and use of hilarious, yet not too unrealistic mock recordings of the local rural radio station to bide his time behind the curtains. He may have used football as a metaphor but with sharp satirical humour Callinan manages to consistently avoid many of the small-minded clichés that might have easily cheapened his message.”

Steve Jones, dbMagazine

Harley Breen, Personal Space

March 25th, 2010

In the hands of other comedians, there’d be accusations of over-sentimentality, but Harley is so down to earth and just so damn funny that such accusations have no place here. This show gave me some of the best belly-laughs I’ve had so far this festival. Harley is likeable and exciting and his energy keeps the show thundering along.