Why Do We Laugh? Shannon Behaviour Change and BehaviourWorks to find out at one-night-only event ‘The Laughter Lab’ at MICF on Monday 7 April

March 14 2025, 12:16 pm | BY Ricki Green | No Comments
Why Do We Laugh? Shannon Behaviour Change and BehaviourWorks to find out at one-night-only event ‘The Laughter Lab’ at MICF on Monday 7 April

Shannon Behaviour Change and Monash University’s BehaviourWorks Australia are set to present ‘The Laughter Lab’, a unique fusion of comedy and science at the 2025 Melbourne International Comedy Festival (MICF). This one-night-only event on Monday 7 April at The Victoria Hotel, promises to tickle your funny bone while stimulating your grey matter.

 

Hosted by the incomparable Geoff Paine, ‘The Laughter Lab’ invites audiences to participate in live laughter experiments, exploring the quirky science behind one of humanity’s most enigmatic behaviours. Join us as we delve into the contagious nature of laughter, its health benefits, and its power to broach taboo subjects.

Event Highlights:

  • Live on-stage experiments with real scientists
  • Exploration of laughter’s role in social bonding
  • Analysis of evolving comedy trends (goodbye, mother-in-law jokes)
  • Investigation of the ethics of humour (can we “put down” and still crack up?)

Says Bill Shannon, Chair of the Comedy Festival and founder of Shannon Behaviour Change: “We’re excited to bring together the worlds of behavioural science and comedy. It’s an experiment in itself – can we make people laugh while they learn, or learn while they laugh?”

“This show is a perfect example of how behavioural insights can be both entertaining and enlightening. We’re looking forward to seeing how the audience reacts to our strict scientific rigour … sort of,” presenter and BehaviourWorks Content Creator Geoff Paine says.

Featuring a stellar lineup including comedian Paul Foote and a host of other talented performers alongside real-life behavioural scientists, ‘The Laughter Lab’ promises an evening of comedic unity, where audience members will laugh, learn, and connect with each other.

Don’t miss this endorphin-packed event that proves laughter truly is the best medicine – and the best science.

Event Details:
Date: Monday 7 April, 2025
Time:  6:45pm for a 7pm start
Venue: The Victoria Hotel, 215 Little Collins St, Melbourne (Banquet Room)
Tickets: Available at www.comedyfestival.com.au/browse-shows/the-laughter-lab/

Shannon Behaviour Change has 10 tickets to give away – please send an email to media@theshannoncompany.com.au with the subject line Laughter Lab – why I have to be there and in the body of the email tell us why in 50 words or less.

Winners will be randomly selected, based in Melbourne and responsible for transport to and from the event.