PORTRAIT OF THE ARTIST AS A YOUNG HAM Comes to Melbourne International Comedy Festival

The race for Best Newcomer at the Melbourne International Comedy Festival is always packed with strong contenders. This year, an unlikely new face will be joining the fray. While Elizabeth Brennan's firebrand wit and delivery is tempting, the standout is her co-star: a literal leg of Ham, perched on a stool as Brennan steers the audience through the highs and lows of environmental ennui.

With nonstop stories of melting ice caps, dried up rivers, and the impending end of the world, it can be easy to give in to environmental existentialism. It certainly was for Elizabeth Brennan. But with some inspiration from international culinary star Ham, she's determined to make tackling climate change sexy again.

Embarking on a jamon-packed journey, Brennan and Ham use a mixture of poetic, musical, and erotic nonsense to empower audiences to act before climate disaster strikes. Their absurdity shaves down to the bone of how to be a better everyday eco-activist, and what it really takes to be a lapsed vegetarian.

Elizabeth Brennan is fresh from numerous seasons with The Australian Shakespeare Company and THE BLOOMSHED's award-winning tour of The Nose. Ham is best known for appearances with cheese and tomato, and a controversial season on pizza alongside pineapple.

A Portrait Of The Artist As A Young Ham is the double-smoked show that you can't miss this Comedy Festival. It opens on MONDAY 1 APRIL and is best by SUNDAY 7 APRIL. Bookings recommended.

Cost: $25 - $30
Venue: Tasma Terrace, 6 Parliament Place EAST MELBOURNE VIC 3002
Bookings: comedyfestival.com.au