MELBOURNE 15 APRIL, 2018 Bec Melrose from New South Wales joined the ranks of RAW Comedy champions at the 2018 National Grand Final, held at the Melbourne International Comedy Festival.

1068 people competed in 63 RAW Comedy heats and finals around Australia in 2018 in an attempt to win a trip to perform at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival.

Bec Melrose won over judges Susan Provan (Melbourne International Comedy Festival Director), Stacey Gougoulis (Triple J presenter) John Kearns (UK comedian), Sarah Dodd (Touring Producer, Soho Theatre London) and Amanda Higgs (Creative Producer, Matchbox Films) with a series of observational gags about footy lads taking on Europe and a virtual realism sex machine.

Runners up were Emma Holland (ACT) and Gavin Sempel (VIC). Other competitors were Kevin Jin  and Sian Smith from NSW, Ryan McArthur from the Northern Territory, Bronwyn Kuss from Queensland, Alex Hall-Evans from South Australia, Jane New from Tasmania, Matthew Vasquez and Scout Boxall from Victoria and Emmanual Majok from Western Australia.

RAW Comedy Producer and Associate Director of the Melbourne International Comedy Festival Gideon James described this year’s finalists as “bright, exciting and on the pulse of what is making Australia laugh. All on stage demonstrated skill, stamina and a truck-load of bravery performing in front of 800 people at the Melbourne Town Hall. It is always so exciting to see what comes next, and to say you were there from the beginning”.

The RAW Comedy National Grand Final was hosted by Ivan Aristiguieta, with special performances from Ireland’s Eleanor Tiernan and UK’s Breannan Reece.