Vale Michael Leunig

In 1988, ahead of the second (and newly annual) Melbourne International Comedy Festival, The Age’s legendary cartoonist Michael Leunig turned his hand to a joyful illustration for the cover of our first multi-page program guide.

The collaboration continued for three decades. Every February, a new illustrated curiosity from Michael would herald the festival that was just around the corner.

Michael’s drawings for the Comedy Festival captured the complexity, whimsy and joy of great comedy.  Bold, uplifting and silly, all things found in our program.

Vale Michael. It was a happy privilege to collaborate with such an artist and we are grateful for the years of support as our Festival was growing to what it is today.