Oliver Coleman

NOMINEE: Best Newcomer, 2019 Melbourne Comedy Festival,
NOMINEE: Golden Gibbo, 2019 Melbourne Comedy Festival

“You can’t fail to be swept up in his supercharged delivery and creative mind” Chortle

Overflowing with ludicrous creativity, Oliver Coleman is one of the most exciting comedians to arrive on the scene in recent memory.

Oliver came to people’s attention for the first time with his debut solo-show Poolside. A chaotically funny hour of sketch that was nominated for the Best Newcomer and the Golden Gibbo awards at the 2019 Melbourne International Comedy Festival, and Best Comedy at Melbourne Fringe.

An actor and stage performer since he was a teenager, Oliver graduated with a Bachelor of Dramatic Arts (Acting) from the Victorian College of Arts in 2013. Since then, he has performed extensively in local independent theatre including with directors such as Bridget Balodis, Prue Clarke and Gary Abrahams, and appeared in guest roles on various Australian network TV productions.

After performing at numerous Melbourne Fringe and Comedy Festivals, Oliver moved to Scotland in 2016 where he fully immersed himself into the world of stand up and sketch. He performed at UK venues such as The Stand, Monkey Barrel and eventually at Edinburgh Fringe, Leicester Comedy Festival and Glasgow Comedy Festival. It turns out that performing ‘alternative’ comedy to drunken Glaswegian football fans eating pizza is a terrific way to earn your chops as a performer.

Oliver returned to our shores at the end of 2018. On top of the success of Poolside, he has been a recipient of a Melbourne Comedy Festival Moosehead Award. In 2021 he teamed up with good friend and collaborator Blake Everett to create “Blake Everett and Oliver Coleman: Dig Their Own Graves”. The show follows the adventures of two shovel salesmen known as the Shovel Brothers, on the run from an evil Russian mobster over a shovel deal gone awry. A show of pure anarchy that saw them receive numerous 4 ½ and 5 star reviews, critical acclaim and a complete sell out for their runs at the 2021 Adelaide Fringe and Melbourne Comedy Festival.

This year Oliver returned with a new show, Sublime. A show that moved away from the sketch and character comedy that he previously found success with, trying more to be himself onstage. Kinda.

  • LIVE SHOWS
  • TELEVISION
  • THEATRE
  • AWARDS
  • OTHER NOTABLE WORK

2022 – Blake Everett and Oliver Coleman – Double Bill

Sydney Fringe

2022 – Sublime – Solo Show

Adelaide Fringe, Melbourne International Comedy Festival, Sydney Comedy Festival, Brisbane Comedy Festival, Edinburgh Fringe

2021-22- Blake Everett and Oliver Coleman Dig Their Own Grave – Show with Blake Everett

Adelaide Fringe, Melbourne International Comedy Festival, Adelaide Fringe return season, Sydney Comedy Festival, Brisbane Comedy Festival

2019-2020 – Poolside – Solo Show
Adelaide Fringe, Melbourne International Comedy Festival, Melbourne Fringe, Brisbane Comedy Festival, Perth Fringe

2019 – Secret Bridemaids’ Business Even Reid – SBS Productions/ Seven Network

2015 – Neighbours – Brett Holden – Network Ten / Fremantle Media

2015 – Molly – Best Boy – Seven Network / Pop Machine Pty Ltd

2016 – Reasons To Stay Inside | Melbourne Fringe, Perth Fringe | Dir. Prue Clarke
2014 – Rivers of China | Don’t Look Away | Dir. Phil Rouse
2014 – Therese Raquin | Dirt Pretty Theatre | Dir. Gary Abrahams
2014 – Angry Sexx | Melbourne Fringe | Dir. Bridget Balodis
2014 – The Legend of King O’Malley | Don’t Look Away (La Mama) | Dir. Phil Rouse
2014 – The Judas Kiss | Mockingbird Theatre | Dir. Jason Cavanagh
2013 – It’s An Earthquake in my Heart | VCA | Dir. Robert Walton
2013 – Pericles | VCA | Dir. Tanya Gerstle
2013 – My Man Godfrey | VCA  | Dir. Tanya Dichson
2012 – Savage in Limbo | VCA | Dir. Peta Coy
2012 – Ship of Fools | VCA | Dir. Jane Woolard
2011 – The Cherry Orchard | VCA | Dir. Melanie Beddie
2010 – Writing Angus | La Mama | Dir. Daniel Lammin
2010 – The Cutting Boys | La Mama | Dir. Daniel Lammin
2010 – UnAustralia | La Mama | Dir. Tim Nolan

2020 WINNER: Moosehead Award – The Prawning
2019 WINNER: Brisbane Comedy Festival Touring Award, Melbourne Fringe – Poolside
2019 NOMINEE: Best Comedy, Melbourne Fringe – Poolside
2019 NOMINEE: Best Newcomer, Melbourne International Comedy Festival – Poolside
2019 NOMINEE: Golden Gibbo, Melbourne International Comedy Festival – Poolside

2022 – MICF Roadshow – Line Up Show Melbourne International Comedy Festival
2022 – The (Very) Big Laugh Out – Comedy Spots
2022 – Comedy Club for Kids – Comedy Spots
2013 – Bachelor of Dramatic Art (Acting) – Victorian College of the Arts