3 May 2018 – For Immediate Release comedyshowcase.com.au instagram.com/scfshowcasetour facebook.com/sydneycomedyfestivalshowcase

THE COMEDY FESTIVAL SHOWCASE IS BACK FOR THE SIXTH YEAR IN A ROW!

The funniest from this year’s are hitting the road and bringing all-star comedy showcases to a range of locations in all across – playing to audiences in 50 different towns!

MC for the night will be Tommy Dean (US) - one of the most popular comedians in the country. This affable, ageless American with the rock god long hair and booming deep drawl is loved by young and old. Justin Hamilton Is leading the charge as the headline act for the showcase, bringing his hyperactive enthusiasm and charming wit to the table. A revered writer in Australian TV, as well as a familiar voice on the radio waves, Justin Hamilton has long been respected as a formidable front man in .

Joining Justin on stage will be Dave Eastgate, the stage-slaying, moronic mayhem maker whose music and wit has made him the most explosive comic on the scene! Lovable local legend Julia Wilson is bringing her considerable energy and rapid fire enthusiastic punchlines. John Cruckshank, the laconic master of deadpan dryness and startling intelligence brings his unique stylings to the stage, followed by Joe Shaffer (US), the Texas born, based comic known for his signature upbeat style and hilarious wit!

So call your pals, book the babysitter and grab your tickets to the funniest night of entertainment you will see all year!

“The comedians all knew what they had to do to get a laugh, and had the crowd in constant stitches… the talent on show definitely left the crowd wanting more…” – AU REVIEW SHOW DETAILS

CAMDEN – Camden Civic Centre, Thursday, June 7, 7:30PM Tickets from $35.00 | Book Here or 4655 8681 camdenciviccentre.com.au

BATHURST – Bathurst memorial Entertainment Centre, Friday, June 8, 8:00PM Tickets from $35.00 | Book Here or 6333 6162 bmec.com.au

GOSFORD – Laycock Street Theatre Saturday, June 9, 5:00PM & 8:00PM Tickets from $35.00 | Book Here or 4323 3233 gosford.nsw.gov.au/theatres 1

Media Contact: Hugh Inglis | [email protected] | +61 2 9020 6902 Recommended for mature audiences 15 years and over. May contain coarse language and adult themes. 3 May 2018 – For Immediate Release comedyshowcase.com.au instagram.com/scfshowcasetour facebook.com/sydneycomedyfestivalshowcase

ARTIST BIOGRAPHIES TOMMY DEAN If you have never seen Tommy Dean you are genuinely missing out on a master of the language comedy. We refer to him around here as the “Good Will Hunting” of comedy. He seems to see life as an enormous equation in front of him and solves it in an instant with a mind bending laugh. With the unique edge of being an American who understands Australia! You would no doubt have seen this guy on countless TV shows!! Tommy’s astute clean observational comedic style consistently make him a stand out winner with theatre audiences corporate clients Festival producers TV and radio shows alike. With pin sharp banter genial manner and a vast stock of broad appeal hilarious routines interweaving the foibles of his adopted home country with the dark reality of his home country Tommy never fails to connect with and impress any audience. Tommy’s impressive media appearance CV includes Spicks and Specks Stand Up Australia Rove Live Joker Poker Sunrise The Today Show and The Sideshow. If you haven’t heard how good a this big American with the Rock God long hair and booming deep voice is or you can’t put a name to funny American you saw on that panel Come and check this out – Tommy can also be heard regularly on ABC 702 radio.

”Tommy Dean is Awesome”- Magazine.

“smarts, skill and wit” - The Age

JUSTIN HAMILTON justinhamilton.com.au Justin Hamilton has carved out an incredibly successful career as a stand-up comedian, writer and stage director while maintaining his unique voice within the Australian comedy scene. Having toured the country to rave reviews for many years, in 2011 Justin started curating and producing his own comedy night called The Shelf, widely regarded as one of the best comedy rooms in the country. His podcast, Can You Take This Photo Please? hit the top 20 downloads on Australian iTunes in its first year. The podcast is listened to all over the world and a one off special for saw Justin host with guests and Rove McManus. The show was met with rave reviews across Australia and continued the success Justin has experienced in the podcast world where he has interviewed Simon Pegg, Marc Maron, , and US comedian Dave Anthony. Justin has recently taken on a creative role at Southern Cross , working behind the scenes as a key writer for Rove & Sam. For the past eight years he has also been a TV and movie reviewer for ’s number one rated Mix FM. He’s still found the time to be one of Australia’s premiere stand up comedians, performing two shows in 2016, Hoot and Justin Hamilton – LIVE!, as well as performing at Just for Laughs Sydney. In 2017 he revisited his origin story in Bunta Boy, a celebration and reflection on the beginning of his comedy career, which was launched as part of a duo bearing the same name.

“Will have you hanging on to every word” - ★★★★1/2 Advertise

2 Media Contact: Hugh Inglis | [email protected] | +61 2 9020 6902 3 May 2018 – For Immediate Release comedyshowcase.com.au instagram.com/scfshowcasetour facebook.com/sydneycomedyfestivalshowcase

DAVE EASTGATE

Dave Eastgate is an actor, stand-up comedian, writer and musician who lives in Sydney, Australia and is one of the award nominated stars of Channel 9’s series, Doctor Doctor, as well as the proud hero of the recently televised TV special ‘I Wish I Had A Band’.

In 2015, Dave starred alongside his comedy idols, Glenn Robbins, Magda Szubanski, Gina Riley & Jane Turner in the Comedy Channel’s flag ship, sketch comedy series, Open Slather. The series ran for 20 episodes and featured Dave in sketches alongside, UFC Champ Ronda Rousey & Grammy Award Winner, Sting.

Other credits include the multi-award winning ABC comedy series, A Moody Xmas & it’s sequel, The Moody’s, as well as Maximum Choppage, Soul Mates, Ronnie Cheing: International Student and Channel 9’s smash hit comedy Here Come The Habibs.

Stand-up comedy remains Dave's staple as he tours extensively around Australia and internationally in NZ, UK, US, Singapore and even in the Middle East for the Australian Defence Force. In 2012 Dave shared the stage with Academy Award Winner, Robin Williams during his Australian tour and considers it a career highlight. Other highlights include playing sold out shows at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival in 2011 & 2012 & performing at the UK's biggest heavy metal festival Download in 2012. In addition to this Dave has supported touring international comics such as Arj Barker, Rich Fulcher, Jim Jefferies, Jeff Ross and . Dave has appeared as a stand-up comedian on Channel 9’s Mornings, SBS’s The Full Brazilian, Channel 10’s Thursday Night Live and the Comedy Channel’s Stand Up Australia and Just For Laughs at The .

“Bracingly demystifies musical Comedy to the point where Flight of the Conchords look like corporate scum.” - Fest Mag UK

“…unleashes musical thunder with a laughter-packed set of songs…” - Metro UK

“F***ing Beautiful, man!” - Academy Award Winner, Robin William

3 Media Contact: Hugh Inglis | [email protected] | +61 2 9020 6902 3 May 2018 – For Immediate Release comedyshowcase.com.au instagram.com/scfshowcasetour facebook.com/sydneycomedyfestivalshowcase

JULIA WILSON juliawilson.com.au

Described by many as the toughest woman in comedy, Julia Wilson tours the world with her dubious morals, having plenty of seriously dangerous fun along the way!

This convent school girl, bouncer, accountant, stand-up comedian, whose humour refuses to be pigeonholed and personality can't be ignored would rather live her life with bruises and scars instead of being too scared to do anything!

Whether it's being bitten by a lion, stalked by a hippo, getting burnt by a burning hot gun cartridge, or being accosted by an armed hold up convict, Julia has acquired plenty of scars, and certainly isn't afraid to share them with you!

Julia doesn't just take to the stage, she owns it. Her unique style of storytelling is delivered with such honesty and at a blisteringly energizing pace that a shirt full of sore ribs is guaranteed!

The highlight of any bill, Julia has headlined comedy events all over the world, thrilling audiences in Britain, Australia, South Africa, Croatia, Germany and Canada with her dynamic, gutsy performances on stage, tv, radio and film.

"Wilson is as tough as a sack full of nails… takes you on a taste defying ride you won't forget in a hurry." - Drum Media, Australia

"Laughter rips through her audiences like wildfire"- ComedyLive, Australia

JOE SHAFFER

Joe Shaffer is a comedian/writer/actor from Austin, San Antonio, Waco, and Crockett, TX.

After being bitten by a radioactive microphone, Joe discovered that he had the proportionate strength and speed of a stand up comedian. He has performed at clubs and festivals such as Woodford Folk Festival, Laugh Your Pants Off Gala, on ABC Radio, and numerous other venues worldwide.

Joe regularly hosts and headlines shows across Australia, as well as being a current and former cartoonist, improviser, sketch performer, and terrible musician. He currently lives in Melbourne, where he eats dumplings and complains about rain.

"Sure to bring joy to your day" - Queensland Times

4 Media Contact: Hugh Inglis | [email protected] | +61 2 9020 6902 3 May 2018 – For Immediate Release comedyshowcase.com.au instagram.com/scfshowcasetour facebook.com/sydneycomedyfestivalshowcase

JOHN CRUCKSHANK

John Cruckshank is making huge waves on the national comedy circuit with his clever, sharp and well paced jokes. His laid back approach sucks you in and is followed up by repeated roundhouse kicks banging out the laughs. His unassuming presence and brutal honesty make for continuous laughs. Over the last few years John Cruckshank has established himself as a polished, highly sought after headliner. He has a truly distinct and irreverent voice which clicks universally with all audience members. His is a rare comedic talent.

“Spectacularly Funny” –

5 Media Contact: Hugh Inglis | [email protected] | +61 2 9020 6902