Multi award-winning rising star Rudy-Lee Taurua has already made an impressive mark on the Australian comedy scene in the short few years since he started out on the star-making Adelaide Comedy scene in 2019.

Quickly earning a reputation as ‘The Stereotype Crusher’ for the way he challenges a crowd’s first impressions of him, Rudy was awarded both Best Newcomer and People’s Choice at the Adelaide Comedy Awards.

It is a testament to Rudy’s dedication to his craft, innate writing ability and charismatic presence that in just a few years since making his start in stand-up, Rudy or ‘Rudes’ as he’s affectionally known already has high-profile supporters including Nat’s What I Reckon, Mickey D and Fiona O’Loughlin, with the industry favourite already being booked to play all the major venues and perform full solo seasons at Comedy Festivals on the Australian comedy circuit.

Tens of thousands of Jim Jefferies fans became instant Rudy-Lee Taurua devotees when Rudes joined Jim on his 2022 tour, opening Jim’s shows in arenas across NZ and Australia. Fast becoming the preferred opener for visiting international artists, Rudy was also invited to open for Shane Gillis at Adelaide’s iconic Norwood Concert Hall for the popular US stand-up comedian and podcaster’s first-ever Australian tour.

In January 2022 Rudy was named by the UK comedy industry bible, Chortle, as one of the hottest comics to watch for globally on their Comedy’s ones to watch for in 2022 list, with Scottish Comedian of the Year producer Alan Anderson noting,

In March 2022 Rudy featured in SBS Insight’s special episode ‘Bad Joke‘ – an investigation into the line when it comes to humour and what happens when you cross it. The show was accompanied by a powerful, must-read Op-Ed from Rudy on how he chooses laughter, despite the adversity he endured in his childhood.

In December of the same year Rudy performed for the Just For Laughs Australia TV series, delivering a blazing set at the Sydney Opera House, to be broadcast on Channel Ten in 2023.

Extracting comedy from his own stories, including childhood trauma, addiction and recovery, Rudy is proud to stake his place as a voice for the queers, the Brothers the Sisters and everyone in between.

A genuinely charismatic and exciting talent, this comedy dynamo is a force to be reckoned with and in a class of his own.

A refreshing take on dark humour… Taurua pulls it off without losing the comedy

★★★★★ Glam Adelaide

Insightful, warm… raw and hard hitting. Wall to wall incisive laughs!

★★★★ Fringefeed

Rudes kicks off the show with a bang and leaps straight into the no-holds-barred comedy with gusto.

Weekend Notes

A game-changer, the next big thing!

Fiona O’Loughlin