Just For Laughs Sydney 2015 Announces Star-Studded First Line-Up

Annual comedy festival Just For Laughs Sydney is celebrating its fifth anniversary in 2015 and a stellar line-up of international and Aussie talent have been announced to perform at the October week-long event to coincide with the milestone. 

Headlining the festival which runs from October 19-25 is beloved UK comedian Russell Brand who brings the The Trew World Tour Down Under for a string of shows. In recent times, Brand has diverted his attention away from Hollywood to launch his own YouTube series, The Trews, to offer his unique take on political and current affairs which over one million followers have subscribed to online. It will be Aussie's first chance to see the acclaimed comedian since his last visit in 2012. 

Famous Scottish stand-up act Danny Bhoy has also been announced on the bill to perform his new show, Please Untick The Box. Bhoy is no stranger to Australia, having filmed his debut live comedy DVD, Danny Bhoy: Live At The Opera House in the country back in 2007. The comic is one of the most globally successful performers having previously broken attendance records in Australia and New Zealand. 

Hitting the stage on Sunday, 25 October is popular Aussie comedian Celia Pacquola who heads to the festivial after recently being nominated for Best Comedy at the Adelaide Fringe this year. Pacquola has appeared on a number of national TV programs and talk shows including Spicks & Specks, The Project, Good News Week & more. 

Meanwhile another Brit comedian, John Bishop has also been announced on the Just For Laughs bill after he announced a national tour of the country yesterday. Known as one of the UK's biggest stand up act's, Bishop will perform at the festival on Wednesday, 21 October before moving on to show's throughout Melbourne and Perth.

To celebrate his 20th year in comedy, Al Murray will head to Aus to perform his new show over three nights at the Opera House Playhouse. His fan-favourite character 'The Pub Landlord', a mock-xenophobic publican-turned-politician will delight Aussie fans after performances in his home country of England, where he sold out shows at a number of venues including the famous O2 arena. 

Rounding out the bill is internationally renowned comedian Omid Djalili who will bring his show, Iranalamadingdong to the Opera House on Thursday, 22 October. Not only has Djalili had his own HBO live comedy special, but he has also appeared in a number of notable Hollywood films including The Mummy, Gladiator and Notting Hill. 

Meanwhile, the Comedy Channel's third season of Just For Laughs: The Stand Up Series will return to film six live shows at the Sydney Opera House between October 22-24 and will feature a slew of Aussie names including Hannah Gadsby, Joel Creasey, Cal Wilson, Ronny Chieng, Anne Edmonds, Tom Ballard, Damien Power, Tommy Little and many more to come. 

The ten-part series will be hosted by Aussie favourite Dave Thornton and it will screen on Foxtel later this year.

Tickets go on sale Monday, 6 July and for more information including all dates and venues, check out the event website.