For the last two years, I’ve had the pleasure of filming the annual Stand-up Comedy Fundraiser for the World Wellness Group. The event raises funds for their Medical Centre which provides much needed health services for the under privileged.
As a Stand-up Comedy fan, I enjoyed being backstage with the Comedians. This year we filmed some interviews with some of the performers to find out their views on health equality and comedy as therapy.
Judith Lucy
Judith Lucy is one of Australia's most popular comedians. A best-selling author, her work in radio, television and film and her sell-out national live tours have made her a household name. I first saw Judith on The Late Show by The D Generation. It was an ABC skit comedy show that I probably should not have been allowed to watch. It was a blast to see her live, let alone to meet her. When people tell me that women can’t be funny, I point to Judith… also Tina Fey. There are others obviously, but these ladies are my favourites.
Tom Ballard
I'm sure Tom would hate this but here are but some of his accolades.
WINNER – BEST NEWCOMER, 2009 MELBOURNE INTERNATIONAL COMEDY FESTIVAL
NOMINEE – BEST NEWCOMER, 2015 EDINBURGH COMEDY AWARDS
NOMINEE – BEST SHOW, 2016 MELBOURNE INTERNATIONAL COMEDY FESTIVAL
WINNER – JOHN PINDER PRIZE, 2016 MELBOURNE INTERNATIONAL COMEDY FESTIVAL
NOMINEE – BEST SHOW, 2016 EDINBURGH COMEDY AWARDS
WINNER – BEST COMEDY PERFORMER, 2016 HELPMANN AWARDS
WINNER – BEST AUSTRALIAN SHOW, 2017 SYDNEY COMEDY FESTIVAL
NOMINEE – BEST COMEDY PERFORMER, 2017 HELPMANN AWARDS
Suraj Kolarkar
Starting his comedy career in Brisbane, Suraj Kolarkar has quickly developed a profile across Australia. He has performed at some of the biggest stages in the country including Comics Lounge in Melbourne and Perth, Mic in Hand and the Rhino Room. He's gigged alongside well-known names like Dave Hughes, Dave Thornton, Mel Buttle, Damien Power and Dusty Rich. You may even have heard him on ABC Brisbane or TRIPLE M. In February 2018, he won Moonman's Open Mic Night organized and hosted by Lawrence Mooney through Triple M.
Nikki Britton
After receiving audience and critical acclaim for her 2013 hit show Abdicating Adulthood, she has spent the last year touring the country with the Melbourne Comedy Festival Roadshow. She has also appeared on Wake Up (Channel 10), the Sydney Comedy Festival Opening Gala and at the Sydney Opera House. Nikki studied Clown and Bouffon in Paris with theatre master Philippe Gaulier and graduated from Actors Centre Australia in 2007. As a choreographer and physical performer, Nikki has worked and performed at Disneyland in L.A, and with Meryl Tankard. She also had a brief stint as Dorothy the Dinosaur; however, it is a chapter both Nikki and the gentlemen in the turtlenecks would rather forget.
To find out more about World Wellness Group, visit their website worldwellnessgroup.org.au