A good laugh goes a long way, and this laugh, you can enjoy with popcorn.

Popcorn and Punchlines is a laid-back night of stand-up at Bendigo Cinemas, featuring a mix of local favourites, rising talent, and voices from further afield.

This time we’re part of the Bendigo Mini Comedy Festival, and they’re bringing a SlideShow!

It’ll be a night of PowerPoint Presentation Punchlines.

With jokes on and off the big screen, as the comedians deliver jokes with words and pictures.

As usual it’s grown-up comedy, so bring the banter, not the kids.

At just $20 a ticket, it’s a low-stakes, high-reward kind of night.

Come along, grab a drink, and enjoy something that’s part stand-up, part cinema…..all good times.

*Content Warning: Coarse Language (occasional/mild), Adult Themes.

Event details

Date: Thursday 15th January

Time: Doors open @ 6.30pm, show commences @ 7pm

Drinks available at bar prices prior to show & intermission. 

Ticket Price: $20

'Welcome to the Auslan jungle' is a show about Auslan, the sort of Auslan you use in the jungle.  Not picnic in the forest type Auslan, proper jungle Aussie (bogan) Auslan.

This show is half comedy and half learning sign language.  If you've always been meaning to learn another language but never got around to it and thought maybe Auslan looks like a fun language to learn because of all of the hands and stuff then this is the show for you.

This show teaches you to sign the Aussie (bogan) way and to participate in an Auslan Aussie (bogan) choir.

Sex. Let’s talk about it. The challenges, the beauty, and the healing possibilities. Be guided through the topic by critically-acclaimed comedian, experienced sex worker, renowned slut, and most importantly, pedantic freak: Neptune Henriksen.

In this deeply dark comedy, Neptune explores curing their CPTSD^ with medicinal cannabis and sex, when talk therapy, various diagnoses, and a 72-hour-hold weren't enough. Part TEDTalk, part comedy, all hot and steamy - but that's mostly the stage lights.

‘With Legs Wide Open’ will dive elbow-deep into sexuality, communication, and healing, but don’t worry – Neptune’s a professional, they’ll talk you through the whole thing, nice and gentle.

Praise for Neptune's previous works includes:

"The connection to the work is emotional and real even if you haven’t had a similar experience." Australian Pride Network, 2024

"Cathartic, evocative and profound" BingeFringe, 2024

“A perfectly pitched hour” ★★★★★ The Scotsman (UK), 2016

^ = Complex Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder. A condition characterised by prolonged periods of abuse and/or trauma, in which the victim/survivor has little or no chance to escape said trauma and/or abuse.

This show contains

• Themes of CPTSD, trauma, indoctrination, parental abuse, autism, isolation 

• Frequent course language throughout 

• Themes of queer sex, hookup culture, BDSM, drug use

• Nudity throughout 

Upon attempting to enter America, award-winning comedian and storyteller Matt Harvey suddenly found his travel plans come to a screeching halt as he found himself in a secret back room with angry border agents. Matt Harvey has lived the kind of travel stories you hope will never happen to you and has turned them into comedy you definitely want to hear.

In this sharp and ridiculous new hour, Harvey turns being detained in America, losing his bag for weeks, and narrowly avoiding a workplace disaster into a rapid-fire mix of satire, storytelling, and silliness. It’s travel chaos, workplace farce, and the absurdity of modern life all packed into one carry-on.

A new stand up show from one of Australia’s funniest. You’ve seen him on Fisk, The Front Bar and/or seen his special on Amazon Prime. Now see him live. It’s even better.

"a masterclass in crowd work without a hint of malice, a true joy to watch!" Adelaide Advertiser

“like a homegrown Billy Connolly, a genuine comedy talent” Herald Sun

“★ ★ ★ ★ ★  I left thinking Danny McGinlay is one of the most gifted comedians we have here in Australia. His natural storytelling ability and the fact that he is a comedian that is still willing to talk about some un-PC topics make him a must-see” Lilithia Reviews

***Following the 2025 New Zealand International Science Festival and the 2025 Melbourne International Comedy Festival, Luke is bringing a new trial style version of the show to Bendigo for more goofing and education about introverts and extroverts.***

PSY24IGE: The role of introverts in society has been diminishing in recent years with their historical positions increasingly taken by those with extrovert tendencies. How can introverts survive and what do they need to do to adapt? 

This lecture explores the history of introverts in society, their current status and potential future. 

It is a core lesson within PSY24 and may be attended by others for course credit. 

Update, tutor Matt Boring (Luke Morris) will be taking this lecture and there are to be no questions about Dr. Lachmann's escaped lab monkeys. It's all totally fine. Do not worry about the escaped monkeys. Bundoora University has that all under control.

Come and live in the present and join Sonia for a big old laugh!

But who is she? With over 16 years of stand-up at comedy clubs, festivals and events Sonia Di Iorio is a seasoned comedian who has made her mark on stages across the country. She has opened for Ronny Chieng, performed at Splendour in the Grass and appeared on the Roast of Tommy Little. In 2017 she won the peer voted Spleen Comic of The Year, in 2018 she began writing for some of the country’s top TV comedy shows and in 2025 she began performing stand-up in Italian! (Don't worry, this show is in English)

Don't let his appearance on The Tonight Show starring Jimmy Fallon, or Netflix, or Just for Laughs, or Comedy Up Late fool you. Don't be sucked in by his five star reviews or hundreds of millions of views his comedy has received online. Turn up in person to the show and come see why Simon Taylor is laughable.

Join Sam for an hour of comedy. He is fresh off an international sketch comedy tour with Live Nation and having opened for some of Australia’s biggest stand-up comedians: Luke Kidgell and Black Pavey, Sam is bringing his unique blend of humour to the stage. The 5-foot-9 (and a half) Australian-Italian comedian dives into topics like mental health, the weird and often contrived world of social media, and, of course, demerit points.

A founding member of the comedy sketch group Swag on the Beat, Sam has stepped out on his own to pursue his passion for stand-up with his debut show (performed at MICF and currently touring Australia); I'm Happy Either Way'.  Sam is has also previously been seen on sketch group 'Kick it Forward'

"Exploded in popularity." Sydney Morning Herald

"a laid-back tongue-in-cheek punchlines that drew strong laughs"- Hugging Comedians

Romantic Comedy is your chance to fall in love with this award-winning couple! 

Chris Nguyen and Robyn Reynolds are very much in love.

But, they spend every night making other people laugh! So, they’ve invited the audience along. You’re invited to a comedy date with Chris and Robyn.

Enjoy hilarious stories about dating and the Australian comedy scene.

For those brave enough, there'll be an audience game...

If you're looking for a FUN, lighthearted, love-filled night of comedy - look no further!

"A smooth and engaging show that allows audiences to simply sit back and enjoy" – Theatre Travels

★★★★★ “Not only does Reynolds have a great voice, but she can also craft a catchy tune” - TimeOut

★★★★ "Chris absolutely slayed. Smart, sharp writing. A name to remember.” - One4Review