Madeleine Swain

Madeleine Swain is ArtsHub’s managing editor. Originally from England where she trained as an actor, she has over 30 years’ experience as a writer, editor and film reviewer in print, television, radio and online. She is also currently President of JOY Media and Chair of the Board.

Madeleine Swain's Latest Articles

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Comedy review: Rob Carlton, Willing Participant, Beckett Theatre, MICF 2025

Simple storytelling is one of the oldest art forms there is and Rob Carlton is a master.

Madeleine Swain

Apr 3, 2025
Melbourne International Comedy Festival logo 2025. A bright and colourful stylised image of a jocular human-animal hybrid in yellow and blue against a bright red background.
Features

Melbourne International Comedy Festival 2025 – top picks

Wondering what MICF 2025 show to catch next? ArtsHub has you covered.

Madeleine Swain

Apr 3, 2025
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Comedy reviews: Laura Davis: Despair is Beneath Us, The Greek – Paw Paw Jump, MICF 2025

While despair may be an understandable emotion right now, it's not the answer, and Laura Davis is here to explain…

Madeleine Swain

Apr 2, 2025
A Caucasian woman with long brown side parted hair wears a black and white checkered shirt over a white singlet and jeans. She is sitting on a stool. Zoë Coombs Marr.
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Comedy reviews: Zoë Coombs Marr: The Splash Zone, Powder Room, Town Hall, MICF 2025

Bemused (horrified) by the current geopolitical landscape, the always sharp Coombs Marr wants us all to keep talking to each…

Madeleine Swain

Apr 2, 2025
A Caucasian woman in a grey waistcoat and matching trousers holds a microphone and has her hand in a box on a plinth that is labelled WORRIES. Gillian Cosgriff.
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Comedy review: Gillian Cosgriff, Fresh New Worries, The Show Room, MICF 2025

A lesson in finely crafted comedy, Cosgriff's latest show is simply superb.

Madeleine Swain

Mar 31, 2025
A Caucasian woman with short curly dark hair has her eyes closed and is holding a picture over the lower half of her face with a big smiling mouth on it. Ruby Wax
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Comedy review: Ruby Wax, I'm Not As Well As I Thought I Was, Comedy Theatre, MICF 2025

You think it's comical being treated for severe depression? Ruby Wax can see the funny side.

Madeleine Swain

Mar 30, 2025
A Caucasian woman with shoulder length blonde hair and a flower pattern blouse has a butterfly on her raised hand and three more flying around her head. Sara Pascoe. I Am A Strange Gloop
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Comedy review: Sara Pascoe, I Am A Strange Gloop, Melbourne Town Hall, MICF 2025

Sara Pascoe got married and had children. She's happy about that... mostly.

Madeleine Swain

Mar 30, 2025
against a pink background a woman with a grey mohawk and a short sleeved colourful shirt smiles at the camera. Geraldine Hickey
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Comedy review: Geraldine Hickey, Meander, Fairfax Studio, MICF 2025

Seeing Hickey is like catching up with an old and genuinely beloved friend... who doesn't happen to know north from…

Madeleine Swain

Mar 28, 2025
A young man in a blue shirt with an acoustic guitar plays on a small outdoor stage with his eyes closed. Flynn Gurry. Port Fairy Folk Festival.
Features

The best of the rest of the fest – Port Fairy Folk Festival

While other festivals are falling by the wayside thanks to cost of living stresses and insurance challenges, Port Fairy continues…

Madeleine Swain

Mar 21, 2025
News

Melbourne International Comedy Festival kicks off with the Gala

The MICF Gala is a time-honoured tradition that has the funny flying at you from 23 different directions.

Madeleine Swain

Mar 20, 2025
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