Deadly Funny

Cheeky, loud, black and proud – Deadly Funny is the biggest First Nations comedy competition in Australia, proudly presented by the Melbourne International Comedy Festival, unearthing the freshest and funniest Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander talents from every corner of the country.

Now in its 19th year, Deadly Funny has propelled stars like Steph Tisdell, Kevin Kropinyeri, Andy Saunders, Janty Blair, Shiralee Hood, Dane Simpson, Elaine Crombie, Jay Wymarra, Leon Filewood, and Sean Choolburra to great heights, both as participants and mentors. You could be the next comedy sensation!

Jay Wymarra

Jay Wymarra is a comic, a drag queen, and self-proclaimed Black nerd. Whether hosting, MC’ing, performing stand-up comedy, acting or gracing the stage as his fabulous drag alter-ego, “Rhianna Mation,” Jay is a crowd favourite. He is a unique voice in the entertainment space and a staunch activist for the rights of people across all spectrums.

Jay’s career has seen him collecting accolades wherever he goes and whatever shape his art takes. His writing career is growing and includes writing and directing several short films, sketches for GetUp! (in collaboration with Steph Tisdell, where he performed an educational video to further the conversation around Australia Day and performed as all six characters), participating in writers rooms and joke passes for comedy scripts, and his whip-smart wit has seen his solo show “Torres Queer” performed throughout Australia.

He has recently been spotted in a speaking role on ABC’s Rosehaven, narrating for The Ironing Maidens: A Soap Opera, and after performing on the Deadly Funny Grand Final twice, Jay is quickly becoming a Melbourne International Comedy Festival favourite – performing as part of the prestigious up and coming line up show “Comedy Zone” in 2022 and travelling throughout Australia with the Melbourne International Comedy Festival roadshow.

Instagram: @thejaywymarra

Watch: YouTube