The opening night of the Melbourne International Comedy Festival, featuring the “Opening Night Allstars Supershow,” was abruptly cancelled after a tragic incident that resulted in a man’s death during the performance. Organisers halted the show due to a medical emergency at the Palais Theatre in St Kilda, which occurred around 9pm.
Emergency services were quickly summoned to the theatre, but the man’s identity has yet to be disclosed, with authorities stating that the death was not suspicious. The festival’s organisers informed ticketholders that they would be contacted regarding the cancellation. In their official statement, they expressed regret over the incident and confirmed that the show, which was meant to kick off weeks of comedy performances, had been stopped.
Comedians Dave Hughes and Tahir took to social media to express their condolences, expressing sorrow for the affected family and acknowledging the challenging situation. Tahir noted that while it was sad news, he believed the response was well-managed under the circumstances. However, some audience members voiced criticism, stating it was concerning that the performance continued for nearly two acts while CPR and defibrillator shocks were administered out of view in the dark.
Health worker Andrea Bortoli, who witnessed the event, described the atmosphere post-incident as distressing, with many audience members visibly upset as they exited the theatre. Attendees observed unusual activity towards the back of the venue before it became clear that someone was receiving CPR, prompting people to leave their seats.
The show was expected to showcase a lineup of renowned comedians and offered tickets priced between $73 and $199. Notably, this opening night event differed from the Gala, a televised performance that had been recorded a week earlier and broadcast the same evening.
Following the incident, police confirmed they would prepare a report for the coroner, with the festival promising to keep ticket holders informed. The shocking event cast a shadow over what was meant to be a celebration of comedy in Melbourne, a city renowned for its vibrant arts scene.