With two years of collective trauma up our sleeve, we're desperately hoping that the person who has the last laugh is us. We mean this quite literally. A good old-fashioned cackle to release the mounds of tension in our bodies wouldn't go astray. It's a good thing then that the Sydney Comedy Festival has just dropped its lineup for 2022, promising a month of comedic relief from 25 April to 22 May 2022.

Since international borders are well and truly open, international acts are on the cards for 2022. Expect gags from David O’Doherty, Melanie Bracewell, The Dollop, Jason Leong, Nemr plus many more. These comedy acts will be interspersed between Australian stand-up talent like the always chic Karen from Finance, Becky Lucas, Rhys Nicholson and more.

Sydney Comedy Festival will also weave a handful of fully-fledged shows between bouts of stand-up. Radio-personality Ruby Teys and Elouise Eftos will usher in a new variety show to the festival titled Mystery Flight. Meanwhile TikTok star Samantha Andrews will present No Hat No Play! The Cabaret.

Considering that the Sydney Comedy Festival will likely coincide with another Australian joke fest, the 2022 Federal Election, organisers have put together a handful of personalities to present a masterclass in the ancient art of lying. Dubbed SPIN: ELECTION, the segment will see The Chaser’s Charles Firth, The Shovel’s James Schloeffel and ABC’s Mark Humphries come together in a parody of Australian politicians. Keeping in mind how essential this election will be in our plight for climate justice, we'll be anxiously laughing along.

Sydney Comedy Festival 2022 will take place at a variety of venues across Sydney, including Enmore Theatre, Factory Theatre, Riverside Theatre in Parramatta, Sydney Opera House, Manning Bar, State Theatre and a slew of others.

You can explore ticket options along with the full 2022 program online at the Sydney Comedy Festival website.