Name: Canberra Comedy Festival Debate
Start: 2026-03-18T10:15:00+11:00
Location: The Street Theatre

Six hilarious competitors. Two ridiculous teams. Barely any rules. You 2026 debaters are:
Moderator: Tom Gibson
Affirmative: Rob Carlton (C), Nick Starkey, Trish Hurley
Negative: Chris Ryan (C), Jacqui Richards, Hamish Hudson.
We have set some of the finest comic minds against each other. And they are ready to play. These entertaining humourists are going to slap each other silly with a scintillating turn of phrase as they debate:
Relationship age gaps don’t matter
They say age is just a number. But does it make a difference when you have to teach the person you are with how to use the internet? Conversely, do you care if someone doesn’t know a single good band from before the 90s?
Whether you fancy yourself a cougar, a manther or a cub, or you just like getting all judgey of other people’s relationships, this the debate for you! Our debaters have polished their insults and sharpened their tongues. It’s time to throw some punchlines.
Will the winner be the sanest or the silliest? You decide.

Produced in collaboration with Contentious Character wines: home of great debates.