By Chenoah Eljan
Ben Knight hosts Educators at Melbourne International Comedy Festival, a rotating medley of former teachers-turned-comedians. The show sells out, because truth be told an audience loves a show that speaks to them – and there is no doubt this show is for the teachers. Knight opens with crowd work, finding out where the principals are, the kindergarten teachers, the uni professors and everyone in-between. They love to be recognised, even if Knight doesn’t have a full repertoire of insights about each cohort.
A former Queensland teacher turned comedian and actor Knight has built a reputation for incisive, story-driven comedy rooted in his teaching experience. The only non-teachers (and people under 30) in the room are there because they follow Knight on social media). He has appeared in Australian television series such as Offspring and Upper Middle Bogan, and even transitioned to film roles, including The Fall Guy. His comedy blends warmth with observational insights. Knight is exactly the sort of teacher you want imparting wisdom and humour onto your kids. If only he didn’t punctuate every joke with a wank gesture. This is the only giveaway that Knight is Gen X, his looks, and humour more generally, situate him more at 37 than 50.
The crowd loves that this show is about and for them. The basement is packed, and the laughs are free flowing, perhaps even more so than the jokes. Knight is the strongest act of the night. The first comedian he invites on stage is Nick, a kindergarten teacher you probably would not want to leave alone with your kids. The second act is Meg Jager who recycles her set from her 2025 show. Her crude references to teenage sex and suicide might get laughs from a younger audience but for a room full of educators who are at the coalface of those realities every day Jager’s set sucks the air out of the room.
The third and final act of the night is a surprise combo of festival favourites and Australian royalty Dave O’Neill and Glenn Robbins. It’s very unclear what – if any – of their set is prepared and what is just a couple of old friends mucking around. But these are seasoned pros who know how to get an audience on side and keep them laughing regardless. Their confidence and comfort on stage sets them apart from the other two acts. They can do no wrong before this crowd of middle-aged educators, even if their connection to teaching is tenuous and their jokes don’t even bother to give a nod to the theme of the show.
This is a great show for teachers and educators of all sorts (PhDs in play therapy welcome) who want a rose-coloured, but nonetheless booger covered, mirror held up for them. Or for fans of Ben Knight whose stage presence and warmth make anything he puts his hand to a delight.
