Video of Courteney and Toby from Political Asylum last Sunday

The monthly Political Asylum gig last Sunday was a cracker, and included great sets from Courteney and Toby. Check out the highlights.

Courteney:


Toby:


There are more great Political Asylum videos at:
http://www.youtube.com/user/politicalasylumvideo

The Anonymous Liberal Frontbencher is back!

Fresh from his Hawaiian holiday, Australia's favourite frontbencher is roaming the corridors of power once again. Or, more likely, cowering under his desk trying to hide from Barnaby Joyce.

Read the latest entry here, or start from the very beginning. 
 

Swear-ific Merchandise

Remember Tony Abbott discussing ''the greatest gift you can give someone, the ultimate gift of giving''? Yeah, how could we forget! Well Courteney Hocking certainly hasn't forgotten, and she is expressing her rage via some awesome new merchandise. If you'd like to proudly remind Mr Abbott of the personal political power that you wield, then grab one of these fab badges and stickers. Buy them here.

Profile - Toby Halligan

Toby is a young comedian, improviser and public speaker who hails from the ACT and currently lives in Melbourne. In 2008 he was a Raw Comedy semi-finalist in NSW, and was a regular performer on the Canberra comedy scene. In 2009 Toby performed regularly in comedy rooms throughout Melbourne. He opened for Mathew Kenneally at the 2009 Melbourne International Comedy Festival, and is the co-author of Diary of a Liberal Frontbencher. In 2010 Toby will be appearing on a new show on ABC TV called Strictly Speaking, featuring entertaining public speakers from around the country.

Profile - Jon Brooks

Jon Brooks is a former journalist and political staffer who’s turned his passion for politics to the stage as both a comedian and musician. Getting his first taste of political comedy as the drummer in underground cult band The Guantanamo Bay City Rollers, Brooks made his first stand up appearance a week after Kevin Rudd was elected in 2007. It was no coincidence. Since then he has established himself as one of Adelaide’s most original and in-demand comics and became a contributing writer for Rove thanks to taking fresh eyes to some of the biggest issues we face today. He’s been described as “...a balance between being inspirational and a shocking warning to us all”; something that he will showcase in his debut solo show Sargasm - premiering at the 2010 Adelaide Fringe. 2010 is a big year for Brooks, not only appearing in his first solo show at Adelaide’s comedy Mecca - The Rhino Room – but featuring in the Best of Adelaide showcase as well as the Adelaide Comedy Great Debate along with comedy’s heavy hitters including Steve Hughes and Tom Gleeson. It’s also the year that he’ll be stepping up and contesting the 2010 federal election.

"Before seeing this show I’d never heard of Jon Brooks – now I’m wondering how that’s possible" The Independent Weekly

"Truly genius…Brooks leaves no stone unturned." The Adelaide Fix.

"...an insightful and hilarious journey ... 4 stars" The Adelaide Advertiser

Profile - Courteney Hocking

Courteney Hocking is a Melbourne comedian and writer. She has produced and performed successful solo shows at the last four Melbourne International Comedy Festivals as well as being a founding member of the Anarchist Guild Social Committee sketch comedy group. She is now a co-founder and host of Political Asylum with Mat Kenneally. She has developed a name for herself as a unique and intelligent voice in political and topical comedy, not only in stand up for groups such as the Greens Party, the Your Rights at Work Campaign and Amnesty International but also in the written form as a freelance writer for Crikey and Good News Week (Network Ten). Her 2008 MICF show, Mixing Pop & Politics, won “Best Political Show” at Trades Hall and The Age have described her as “whip-smart… shrewd & funny"

Courteney's blog

About the Show

The First Three Up Against the Wall is a brand new topical and political standup comedy show premiering at the 2010 Melbourne International Comedy Festival. It features standup from three of Australia's most promising political satirists, Courteney Hocking, Jon Brooks and Toby Halligan.

Show Blurb
When the extremists (of any persuasion) finally get their revolution, expect Courteney, Jon and Toby to be the first to be put up against the wall. These three comedians make it their business to ridicule ideological idiocy at every turn, and this show is jam packed with an hour of the freshest, wittiest, and most downright argumentative political humour you're likely to find anywhere. The First Three Up Against the Wall are all founding members of the hugely successful and well respected Political Asylum comedy room, and they're bringing their absolute best material to the stage for you, the bourgeoisie public. All are welcome. Except Steve Fielding.

When:
Tues-Sat, 25 March to 17 April, at 8:30pm

Where:
Fad Gallery
Corrs Lane (off Bourke St between Russell and Exhibition)
Chinatown, Melbourne

Tickets:
Full $20, Conc $15
www.comedyfestival.com.au/2010/season/shows/the-first-three-up-against-the-wall
or at the door