Australia’s trans and gender-diverse comedy talent is set to take centre stage this December as Funhaus Factory, the Central Coast’s home of inclusive culture, presents Trans Christian Anderson & Friends, fresh from its standout success at the Sydney Fringe Festival. After a hugely successful Fringe run, audiences can now catch this hilarious showcase—hosted and curated by Chris McAllister and headlined by Drew Bowie—proving that trans people can take a joke and make a joke. It’s an uplifting night of sharp wit, good humour and unapologetic queer joy.
While touring their solo show internationally, Chris McAllister—aka The Trans Comedian—has been running five-week comedy workshops for emerging trans and gender-diverse performers, shaping a polished, punchy lineup of new comics ready for the spotlight. Fresh from a sold-out Sydney Fringe season, this showcase brings together funny, fearless and joyfully original voices. One Fringe audience member raved, “They were so good! Cannot believe it was their first time!”
Chris is a Sydney-based comedian and writer known for sharp observational humour, heartfelt storytelling and a global online following built around their posts celebrating trans joy. Their popular hashtag #ICanTell invites audiences to uplift queer stories and has fostered a thriving community. Chris has performed across Australia and the UK, and in 2025 becomes the first trans masc comedian to tour regional Australia with their hit show I Can Tell. Theatre Red praises their work as “needle-sharp one-liners that puncture all parochiality.”
Headliner Drew Bowie brings a singular comedic voice shaped by a life that has taken her from infantry soldier to film-set armourer to cult LEGO webcomic creator. A long-time stand-up, she has appeared on Hard Quiz and Think Tank, and has worked on major films including The Matrix and Revenge of the Sith. Offstage, she creates her LEGO webcomic The Studwall Riot and helps run trans community events in the Blue Mountains.
The showcase also features Senan Gill, May Tran, Barbarella Karpinski, Nate Murray, Phoenix Frost, Bryson Douglas and Criss Portilla, coming together for a night that champions queer joy, community pride and the next wave of trans and gender-diverse comedy.
The event takes place Thursday 12 December at Funhaus Factory, 124 Mann St, Gosford. Doors open 6pm with a $15 cocktail happy hour and food from Beau’s Burgers, followed by an energising evening of trans and queer comedy hosted by international rising star Chris McAllister.
Trans and gender-diverse performers are reshaping the comedy landscape, telling stories that carry political weight simply through their existence, but doing so with warmth, bite and enormous humour. This showcase builds visibility, celebrates community and gives emerging queer comics a platform to thrive.
More details at funhausfactory.org.au / @funhausfactory.
