Australia's original comedy school reborn after near-death experience
The Humourversity
**Key Facts:**
- Australia's first comedy school, Humourversity, relaunches in Melbourne
- Led by former student Tommy Langley, with veteran comedian Gavin Baskerville
- Teaches stand-up comedy and runs sense of humour makeovers for both funny and less funny people
- Offers 'Quick-start to Stand-up' workshops in August and a 10-week program from September 1
Event details:
Two-hour 'Quick-Start to Stand-Up' Workshops
Sat Aug 15 & Tues Aug 18.
10-Week Stand-Up Comedy Program - Level 1
starts Tues Sept 1.
Sense of Humour Makeover Workshop
Sept 12
Full dates, times and pricing at humourversity.au
*Founder Pete Crofts reluctantly hands the reins to a new breed of comedy coaches.*
Starting in 1973, the Humourversity was Australia’s first stand-up comedy school. As a one-man show, Pete trained aspiring and professional comedians, as well as speakers and business leaders to think and speak funnier. Household names including Jack Levi (aka Elliot Goblet), Russell Gilbert and Rachel Berger are among its alumni. Russell Gilbert credits the Humourversity with giving him the confidence to start stand-up, while Jack Levi says Pete helped him architect the Elliot Goblet character.
A successful career comedian himself, Pete admits he wasn’t always the funniest person in the room, but he became possibly the most obsessed man on the planet with the craft, history and essence of comedy, and how to teach it.
When Pete retired, it looked like the Humourversity might retire with him. However, one of his students, and now mates, didn’t want Pete to have the last laugh. Despite being out of the game for some time and fresh from a timely mid-life crisis, Tommy Langley is giving the Humourversity a second life and fostering a new collaborative vision of what a Humourversity can be.
“Doing Pete’s stand-up program literally changed my life, and I didn’t want others to miss out on that opportunity,” says Langley.
In today's mad world, where connection and mental flexibility are key to mental health and performance, the new Humourversity believes many everyday Australians could benefit from a 'Sense of Humour Makeover', even if they never plan to take the stage. When Tommy did the program, he didn’t want to be a comic; he just wanted a challenge. A few years later, he’d performed hundreds of gigs, was less depressed and had a more humorous attitude towards life. Even making his friends laugh more and being more fun parties.
Langley explains, “Everyone wants to be a comedian these days, but most let the dream die with their first mortgage. Many don’t know how to get started or are worried that it’s too late to be funny, as if their sense of humour has an expiry date. But getting started in stand-up doesn’t have to be the overwhelming life-or-death experience people fear.”
Joining the Humourversity’s rebirth is veteran comedian and experienced comedy teacher Gavin Baskerville. Gavin’s performed professionally around Australia for 27 years and has taught comedy since 2007. Baskerville is excited by the new collaboration. “Comedy has changed a lot over the years, but the fundamentals haven’t. There’s so much potential to reimagine the Humourversity and inspire new generations of funny people.”
Gavin and Tommy are teaming up to run two two-hour ‘Quick-Start to Stand-Up’ workshops in August. Perfect for those who want to dip their toe in the water while those ready to dive in can join the inaugural 10-week Stand-Up Comedy Program, kicking off on September 1. The first 'Sense of Humour Makeover workshop' is September 12.
About us:
Founded in 1973, the Humourversity was the first organisation in Australia to teach stand-up comedy, and one of the first in the world. It became a comedy institution, training comedians, speakers and business people to be funnier, more engaging and entertaining communicators. Relaunched in 2026 under former student Tommy Langley, alongside veteran comedian Gavin Baskerville, it now offers stand-up programs and 'sense of humour' workshops for performers and non-performers alike.
Contact details:
Tommy Langley, Humourversity
Phone: 0481 818 574
Email: [email protected]
Web: humourversity.au
