The Commonwealth Comedy Tour with Chris Franklin, Lars Callieou and Doug Chappel

Chris Franklin is the kind of comic who doesn’t need a spotlight to stand out, he just walks on stage, opens his mouth, and the crowd knows they’re in for something uniquely Australian. With a laid-back style and signature Aussie wit, he’s built a career out of saying what everyone’s thinking, but funnier. He first burst onto the scene with a parody that turned a pop hit into a cheeky anthem for the everyday Aussie bloke. The song became a cultural phenomenon, earning massive airplay and cementing his reputation as a clever lyricist with a brilliant sense of humour. Since then, Chris has continued to mix music and comedy with a distinctive voice that captures the spirit of the suburbs, the pub, and the footy field. But his talents go far beyond parody. Chris has a natural gift for connecting with audiences. He champions the underdog, celebrates the ridiculous, and finds the funny in life’s simple moments. With years of touring under his belt, a comedy album in the bag, and countless laughs shared across the world, Chris remains a staple of the comedy scene.

Lars Callieou’s laughter-inducing journey has taken him to the Just for Laughs Festival in Montréal and earned him a 1-Hour comedy special on The Comedy Network. His comedic repertoire extends to the airwaves, with appearances on CBC’s Laugh Out Loud. He has toured with such legends as Joan Rivers, Bob Saget and Jeff Foxworthy, showcasing his ability to hold his own in company of comedy royalty. Lars’s international appeal is evidenced by eight consecutive appearances at the Melbourne International Comedy Festival, being named Best of the Fest at the SLO Comedy Festival in San Luis Obispo, California and sold out shows all over the world. With a wealth of comedic experiences under his belt, Lars invites you to join him on a journey that spans continents and decades, promising an evening of laughter that eclipses time and borders.

Doug Chappel is a professional comedian with over 28 years of experience and is widely regarded as one of Australia’s top live stand-up comics. A multi-award-winning performer, Doug’s recent accolades include the prestigious Laughie Award for Best Australian Act (2024) and the People’s Choice Award (2023). He’s appeared on Triple M Radio’s Poets Day Friday, in movies, and on numerous TV programs, and has headlined in some of the world’s biggest comedy clubs—performing across 5 continents in more than 20 countries. He has sold-out shows at the Melbourne International Comedy Festival, Adelaide Fringe, and the Edinburgh Fringe, and has performed at Australia’s most prestigious venues including The Sydney Opera House, The Athenaeum, The Enmore Theatre, The Arts Centre, and Marvel Stadium before crowds of over 44,000.

Your host for the night, Scott Dumas (Yuk Yuk’s, Sirius XM Radio, YYC Comedy Festival, Fargo) is a comedian, actor, writer and model who has been performing stand up since 1997. He has showcased for Just For Laughs and has headlined clubs from coast-to-coast. He has had the pleasure of working with the likes of Harland Williams, Tommy Chong, Emo Phillips, Lee Camp, Mike Mcdonald, Judah Friedlander, Ari Shaffir, and Gilbert Gottfried. He also performed at the YYCOMEDY Festival in Calgary as well as the 10th Anniversary show for the prestigious and long running, Comedy Monday Night. He has co-founded and hosted the Friday Night Comedy at artsPlace since 2016.