Started in 2005, the Funny Tonne is the Amazing Race of Comedy – the world's premier competitive audience challenge. It is a race to see how far comedy lovers will go to see the most Comedy Festival shows and win The Funny Tonne title.
Two heads are funnier than one, so in 2008 the Funny Tonne is a team event! Inspired by the Amazing Race, Butch Cassidy and Sundance, and maybe a little bit by Kylie and Jason, this year's Funny Tonne is open to teams of two. So phone a friend and find a funny buddy with whom you can tag team your shows.
Our Funny Tonne contestants will be issued with a special Comedy Passport that they use to verify their attendance at shows. At the end of the Festival, the contestant to have proof of attendance at the most number of Festival shows wins the coveted trophy (which is a box of dusty old joke books we found in the store room while cleaning up over Christmas).
Check the contestants’ progress on The Funny Tonne leader board outside the Melbourne Town Hall and read their daily reviews on the Festival website. The ultimate winner of the competition will be announced at the Barry Awards Night at the Festival Club on Saturday 12 April.
2007 saw the first ever tied Tonne! Nathaniel Scott and a tag team of Caitlin Crowley and Sam Stafford crossed the line with 115 shows each. However, this still leaves Erin Davidson (2006) as our all time champ, undefeated on 123 shows.
Prospective Tonners should visit the Festival website and leave their details, and explain in 25 words or less why they should be selected. Entries close midnight, Sunday 17 February.
www.comedyfestival.com.au
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