Matthew Hardy
Encyclopedia
Matthew Hardy is a Melbourne-based comedian and comedy writer who was the first Australian to cement himself full-time on the UK live circuit, spending eight years there in the 1990s, including regular appearances at Jongleurs
and The Comedy Store
in Leicester Square
.
A regular at many international stand-up comedy events, he is the author of the best-selling book Saturday Afternoon Fever (published by Random House
and now in its 5th print run), described by reviewers as a 'Wonder Years'-style, light-hearted and hilarious look at his suburban upbringing in 1980s', which became the basis for three sold-out seasons of multi-media one-man show adaptation at the Melbourne International Comedy Festival
. "Brilliant" The Australian
Hardy also appeared in the last Melbourne International Comedy Festival
with his own take on Charlie and the Chocolate Factory
along with special guest Julie Dawn Cole
, who portrayed Veruca Salt
in the 1971 film version – "Wonderfully funny, endearing and 100% original" The Age
'Sex & The Suburbs' was yet another hit Melbourne International Comedy Festival show.
"Was the famous TV show/film called 'Sex IN The Suburbs' or Sex AND the Suburbs" Hardy asks as his opening line. "Doesn't seem to make much difference until you consider what a show called
'Starsky IN Hutch might have been like".
'An uplifting, laugh-out-loud ointment for anyone who's ever been lost in love" – The Sunday Age
TV credits include hosting two series of The Big Schmooze, Foxtel
's only Tonight Show on The Comedy Channel
and appearing as a panelist plus roving reporter on ABC-TV
's The Fat. He was part of the BAFTA
-winning The Sketch Show writing team for ITV
in the UK, and subsequently wrote for Kelsey Grammer
's sketch series on FOX
in the US.
In 2008 Sony BMG released Matthew Hardy's debut DVD/CD, titled 'I'm So Australian'. Based around a series of sly, sarcastic one-liners, regarding what it takes to be Australian, this show was recorded before a live audience at The National Theatre. Excerpts from the show have been screened on 'Rage', 'Music Jungle' & 'Video Hits', as well as re-worked versions commissioned by the Nine Network's 'Cricket Show' on Boxing Day 2008, and as a roast of Shannon Noll on his edition of
'This Is Your Life' in 2009.
Matthew has appeared as a panelist on ABC TV's 'Spicks & Specks', and to April 2009 he had appeared on Network Ten's re-ignited 'Good News Week' three times.
Matthew has created an tailored multi-media comedy show for major corporate and sporting institutions, and is in high-demand from companies such as Virgin Airlines, NAB Bank, CPA,
Ted Whitten Foundation, Sherrin & the North Melbourne Grand Final Breakfast.
2009 Matthew was the UK correspondent during the SBS 'live' ASHES cricket broadcasts.
In 2010 Matthew toured with Irish comedian Ed Byrne for a 25 gigs in the Scottish Highlands.
He wrote 3 sketches for The Stephen K Amos Show on BBC One in 2010 and co-wrote the acclaimed BBC Radio 4 series: 'Shappi Talk'.
Jongleurs
Jongleurs is a chain of comedy clubs in the United Kingdom. Maria Kempinska MBE established and opened the first Jongleurs club in 1983 in Battersea, London. In 1985 Maria then met her business partner John Davy, and together they built the Jongleurs brand. The company evolved into a corporate...
and The Comedy Store
The Comedy Store, London
The Comedy Store is a comedy club located in Soho, London, England, opened in 1979 by Don Ward and Peter Rosengard.It was named after The Comedy Store club in the United States, which Rosengard had visited the previous year...
in Leicester Square
Leicester Square
Leicester Square is a pedestrianised square in the West End of London, England. The Square lies within an area bound by Lisle Street, to the north; Charing Cross Road, to the east; Orange Street, to the south; and Whitcomb Street, to the west...
.
A regular at many international stand-up comedy events, he is the author of the best-selling book Saturday Afternoon Fever (published by Random House
Random House
Random House, Inc. is the largest general-interest trade book publisher in the world. It has been owned since 1998 by the German private media corporation Bertelsmann and has become the umbrella brand for Bertelsmann book publishing. Random House also has a movie production arm, Random House Films,...
and now in its 5th print run), described by reviewers as a 'Wonder Years'-style, light-hearted and hilarious look at his suburban upbringing in 1980s', which became the basis for three sold-out seasons of multi-media one-man show adaptation at the Melbourne International Comedy Festival
Melbourne International Comedy Festival
The Melbourne International Comedy Festival is the third-largest international comedy festival in the world and the largest cultural event in Australia. Established in 1987, it takes place annually in Melbourne over four weeks in April typically opening on or around April Fool's Day...
. "Brilliant" The Australian
Hardy also appeared in the last Melbourne International Comedy Festival
Melbourne International Comedy Festival
The Melbourne International Comedy Festival is the third-largest international comedy festival in the world and the largest cultural event in Australia. Established in 1987, it takes place annually in Melbourne over four weeks in April typically opening on or around April Fool's Day...
with his own take on Charlie and the Chocolate Factory
Charlie and the Chocolate Factory
Charlie and the Chocolate Factory is a 1964 children's book by British author Roald Dahl. The story features the adventures of young Charlie Bucket inside the chocolate factory of the eccentric chocolatier, Willy Wonka....
along with special guest Julie Dawn Cole
Julie Dawn Cole
Julie Dawn Cole is an English television, film and stage actress with a nearly-four-decade career, who began as a child performer in what remains her best-remembered movie, 1971's Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory, playing the spoiled Veruca Salt...
, who portrayed Veruca Salt
Charlie and the Chocolate Factory
Charlie and the Chocolate Factory is a 1964 children's book by British author Roald Dahl. The story features the adventures of young Charlie Bucket inside the chocolate factory of the eccentric chocolatier, Willy Wonka....
in the 1971 film version – "Wonderfully funny, endearing and 100% original" The Age
'Sex & The Suburbs' was yet another hit Melbourne International Comedy Festival show.
"Was the famous TV show/film called 'Sex IN The Suburbs' or Sex AND the Suburbs" Hardy asks as his opening line. "Doesn't seem to make much difference until you consider what a show called
'Starsky IN Hutch might have been like".
'An uplifting, laugh-out-loud ointment for anyone who's ever been lost in love" – The Sunday Age
TV credits include hosting two series of The Big Schmooze, Foxtel
Foxtel
Foxtel is an Australian pay television company, operating cable, direct broadcast satellite television and IPTV services. It was formed in 1995 through a joint venture established between Telstra and News Corporation....
's only Tonight Show on The Comedy Channel
The Comedy Channel
The Comedy Channel is an Australian subscription television channel available on Foxtel, Austar and Optus Television.-History:...
and appearing as a panelist plus roving reporter on ABC-TV
Australian Broadcasting Corporation
The Australian Broadcasting Corporation, commonly referred to as "the ABC" , is Australia's national public broadcaster...
's The Fat. He was part of the BAFTA
British Academy of Film and Television Arts
The British Academy of Film and Television Arts is a charity in the United Kingdom that hosts annual awards shows for excellence in film, television, television craft, video games and forms of animation.-Introduction:...
-winning The Sketch Show writing team for ITV
ITV
ITV is the major commercial public service TV network in the United Kingdom. Launched in 1955 under the auspices of the Independent Television Authority to provide competition to the BBC, it is also the oldest commercial network in the UK...
in the UK, and subsequently wrote for Kelsey Grammer
Kelsey Grammer
Allen Kelsey Grammer is an American actor and comedian. He is most widely known for his two-decade portrayal of psychiatrist Dr. Frasier Crane on the sitcoms Cheers and Frasier...
's sketch series on FOX
Fox Broadcasting Company
Fox Broadcasting Company, commonly referred to as Fox Network or simply Fox , is an American commercial broadcasting television network owned by Fox Entertainment Group, part of Rupert Murdoch's News Corporation. Launched on October 9, 1986, Fox was the highest-rated broadcast network in the...
in the US.
In 2008 Sony BMG released Matthew Hardy's debut DVD/CD, titled 'I'm So Australian'. Based around a series of sly, sarcastic one-liners, regarding what it takes to be Australian, this show was recorded before a live audience at The National Theatre. Excerpts from the show have been screened on 'Rage', 'Music Jungle' & 'Video Hits', as well as re-worked versions commissioned by the Nine Network's 'Cricket Show' on Boxing Day 2008, and as a roast of Shannon Noll on his edition of
'This Is Your Life' in 2009.
Matthew has appeared as a panelist on ABC TV's 'Spicks & Specks', and to April 2009 he had appeared on Network Ten's re-ignited 'Good News Week' three times.
External links
Matthew has created an tailored multi-media comedy show for major corporate and sporting institutions, and is in high-demand from companies such as Virgin Airlines, NAB Bank, CPA,
Ted Whitten Foundation, Sherrin & the North Melbourne Grand Final Breakfast.
2009 Matthew was the UK correspondent during the SBS 'live' ASHES cricket broadcasts.
In 2010 Matthew toured with Irish comedian Ed Byrne for a 25 gigs in the Scottish Highlands.
He wrote 3 sketches for The Stephen K Amos Show on BBC One in 2010 and co-wrote the acclaimed BBC Radio 4 series: 'Shappi Talk'.