What happens when comedians are forced to confront comedy itself? That’s the spark behind jks: a comedy(?), the bold new play from award-winning writer Tom Ballard, premiering at Melbourne Fringe this October.
Set backstage at a weekly Tuesday night stand-up gig, a group of comics banter, riff and roast each other – until news breaks that a comedy legend has died. Was he a genius or a dinosaur? Should his name be honoured or erased? And what does it even mean to be “funny” anymore? The play dives headfirst into questions about art, offence, legacy and the messy business of making people laugh.
Directed by Ben Russell and performed by a powerhouse cast including Ballard, Kevin Hofbauer, Jordan Barr, Tiana Hogben and Nicky Barry, jks promises to be as sharp as it is outrageous. Longlisted for the 2025 Griffin Playwriting Award and backed by Melbourne Fringe’s Cash to Create, it’s set to be one of the festival’s most talked-about works.
Expect laughs, gasps and plenty to argue about on the way home.
Catch jks: a comedy(?) at Trades Hall’s ETU Ballroom from Wednesday 1 October to Sunday 12 October. Tickets range from $32 to $42 and go on sale 22 August via melbournefringe.com.au.
