Level One Comedy | The Nelson Hotel | Featuring Ben Kochan

Lineup

• More details about Ben Kochan

  Ben Kochan

  Ben Kochan has been making Sydney audiences laugh for a good few years now. Back in 2019, he landed a spot in the Comedy Zone showcase at the Melbourne Comedy Festival, then immediately sold out his debut solo show "Nice Boy Seeks Kind Audience" at the Sydney Comedy Festival the same year. Not a bad start. Since then he's kept the momentum going, picking up "Best of Fest" at the Sydney Comedy Festival in 2023 and releasing his debut comedy album "Hooley Dooley What a Crowd", which has racked up tens of thousands of streams. His full comedy special "No Coffee No Workee" is also sitting on YouTube right now, free, just waiting for you. On stage, Ben does sharp observational comedy with a genuinely silly streak running underneath it — the kind of set that feels like your funniest mate somehow got really good at this. He's supported Tom Gleeson and Wil Anderson, played Splendour in the Grass and Triple J's Good Az Friday, and somehow still finds time to write for TV (ABC's "Question Everything", "Guy Montgomery's Guy Mont Spelling Bee", Channel Nine's "The Hundred with Andy Lee") and pop up on Comedy Central and ABC Comedy. Co-hosting the podcast "The Quibble Hour" with Concetta Caristo sits on top of all that, as does the moustache. For live shows, Sydney is his home turf — you'll find him popping up regularly around the city, including at Kookaburra's Comedy.

  • Ben Kochan's instagram
  • Ben Kochan's website
  • Ben Kochan's website
• More details about Alexandra Hudson

  Alexandra Hudson

  Alexandra Hudson is a Sydney comedian, keynote speaker, and disability advocate with a story that honestly sounds made up — but isn't. Born one of triplets and the only one with cerebral palsy, she grew up watching her twin sister go on to become a judo world champion in 2019. Yes, really. Yes, she talks about it on stage. After attending a stand-up workshop in July 2020, she threw herself into the Sydney comedy circuit and hasn't looked back — building a profile that now stretches from Sydney to Edinburgh to the United States. What sets Alexandra apart is the combination of sharpness and genuine warmth she brings to subjects that rarely get stage time. Disability, sexuality, family dynamics, the everyday absurdities of living with cerebral palsy — she goes there, and she makes it funny in a way that also makes you think. Her 2022 TEDx Byron Bay talk on owning her sexuality with cerebral palsy is well worth your time, and her writing for ABC Everyday brought that same voice to a much wider audience. Audiences in Sydney know her well — she's a familiar face at Kookaburra's Comedy shows and has appeared at the Sydney Comedy Festival Showcase in 2022, 2024, and 2025. The accolades have followed. Joint first place at the RAW Comedy National Final at Melbourne International Comedy Festival in 2022, a So You Think You're Funny finalist spot at Edinburgh that same year, and a sold-out run of her solo show Making Lemonade at Edinburgh Fringe 2024 — supported by a Creative Australia Arts and Disability Initiative grant. She's opened for Hannah Gadsby, appeared in the M&M's Comedy Spotlight Night, and toured nationally with the Melbourne International Comedy Festival Roadshow in both 2024 and 2025.

  • Alexandra Hudson's website
  • Alexandra Hudson's instagram
• More details about Elliot McLaren

  Elliot McLaren

  Elliot McLaren is an award nominated stand up comedian from Aotearoa/New Zealand. He was a grand finalist in the RAW Comedy Competition and nominated for Best New Comedian in the first year of starting his career in stand up. His comedic stylings are raw with cheeky punches which are delivered in a conversational manner. His stories are inspired by his colourful life before comedy and have been applauded internationally as both hilarious and unique.

  • Elliot McLaren's instagram
• More details about Ash Chapman

  Ash Chapman

  Ash Chapman has a unique blend of dry wit and surreal observational skills, which he uses to captivate audiences with punchy storytelling. Ash grew up on the Sunshine Coast and moved to Melbourne in 2016 to study Film. As he moved into stand up comedy, his filmmaking skills has earned him a devoted following of 100k on TikTok for his relatable Aussie characters. He has made his mark in the scene with victories in competitions such as Crowd Control: A Crowd Work Competition, and recognition as a state finalist in 2023 RAW Comedy. Ash frequently travels around Australia and beyond to perform for sold out crowds, so he is not one to miss.

  • Ash Chapman's instagram