One of the brightest prospects in the comedy world, Neel Kolhatkar boasts a CV rivalling many seasoned professionals. With a subscriber base that had previously garnered him millions of hits on his YouTube and Facebook videos, Neel skyrocketed to Internet fame as a 19 year old in 2013 with a series of punchy and hard hitting Aussie impressions videos. These have since been superceded by popular and provocative short films- in particular Modern Educayshun in 2015 – which has amassed close to 5 million views on Youtube alone.
Since winning The Melbourne International Comedy Festival (MICF)’s national Class Clowns Competition at the tender age of fifteen, Neel has gone on to perform at all of Australia’s top comedy clubs and festivals. In both 2010 and ‘11 he was invited to perform at MICF’s Teenage Gala – a showcase of Australia’s best comedians aged 20 or under, and In 2013 Neel was again handpicked by the Festival directors as the youngest of 5 comics to perform as part of its prestigious annual show The Comedy Zone- featuring the finest up and coming comedians in the nation.
A prolific stand-up comedian and writer, Neel’s insightful, hard-hitting and at times scathing commentary on topics ranging from youth, media and gender to race. Coupled with his array of character voices, impressions, crowd-work and charismatic stage presence has charmed audiences across the globe- Neel is making waves overseas, with runs at Edinburgh Festival and performing by invitation as a part of the New York Comedy Festival in 2013 and the Just For Laughs Festival’s televised Stand Up Series at the Sydney Opera House.
“KOLHATKAR IS UNDENIABLY A TALENT. HIS IMPERSONATIONS WERE FLAWLESS, HIS CROWD INTERACTION STRONG.” HERALD SUN
Following sold-out runs across all of the major comedy festivals and his well-received debut season at the Edinburgh Fringe, 2015 has seen Neel tour his show Truth Be Told across Australia, New Zealand and the UK, and the release of his debut, self-produced stand-up special on YouTube.
“LOOK OUT OLD COMICS, 19 YEAR OLD @NEELKOLHATKAR IS COMING TO GET YOU! HIS PRECISION TO DETAIL IS INCREDIBLE, HEAPS FUNNY FELLA!!” SAM SIMMONS
Neel has amassed over 500,000 Facebook, 300,000 YouTube and almost 90,000 Instagram subscribers, as well as views well into the high tens of millions across all platforms. His consummate professionalism led YouTube to approach Neel to host their tenth anniversary celebrations attended by the top Australian content creators, music partners, TV networks, as well as YouTube and Google heads and heads of marketing.
With Umit Bali With an exhilarating collection of oddball characters and anecdotes, Umit is one of Sydney’s most entertaining new comedians. “Packed with fast-paced humour and slices of life that are often just plain tragic, Bali’s high-energy stage presence is as entertaining as it is inspiring” – The West Austr
And Julia Wilson, described by many as the toughest woman in comedy, Julia tours the world with her dubious morals, having plenty of seriously dangerous fun along the way!
Whether it’s being bitten by a lion, stalked by a hippo, getting burnt by a burning hot gun cartridge, or being accosted by an armed hold up convict, Julia has aquired plenty of scars, and certainly isn’t afraid to share them with you! Julia doesn’t just take to the stage, she owns it. Her unique style of storytelling is delivered with such honesty and at a blisteringly energising pace that a shirt full of sore ribs is guaranteed!
Julia has headlined comedy events all over the world, thrilling audiences in Britain, Australia, South Africa, Croatia, Germany and Canada with her dynamic, gutsy performances on stage, tv, radio and film.
“Wilson is as tough as a sack full of nails… takes you on a taste defying ride you won’t forget in a hurry.” – Drum Media, Australia
“Laughter rips through her audiences like wildfire”- ComedyLive, Australia
“Her gags are fired off faster than snakebites in a mongoose cage…There’s nothing like laughing at other people’s misfortunes, and no guilt if you can claim you were scared into it… Be warned.” –TNT Magazine, UK
“Brilliant” – Three Weeks, Scotland
PLUS THREE SPECIAL GUEST COMEDIANS