Canadian humour was on centre stage at the Sydney Opera House last weekend, when it hosted for the first time in Australia one of the world’s most popular comedy festivals, Just for Laughs.

Selling over 16,000 tickets in two days, the usually month long Just For Laughs festival is expected to bring an economic impact to Sydney and Australia, as it already does for Montreal and Canada, according to Sydney Opera House CEO, Richard Evans.

“The Sydney Opera house has been the birth of numerous festivals in recent years and this is another one,” he said.

“Bringing an established brand from other side of world creating an audience explosion here, we’ve proven we can fill four days, and want to take three years to fill a month long festival.”

Hosted by comedian and actor, John Cleese, the two hour show’s star-studded line-up also included American Louis C.K, Irish favourite, Dylan Moran and Australian Wil Anderson.

“We’ve had amazing success in Sydney.  It is one of most prestigious events in the world and this is the place everyone wants to perform once in their lives at least,” President and Founder of Just for Laughs, Gilbert Rozon said.

“In this first year every dollar we are going to raise will be invested to hold and create the biggest festival in this city.  In the next four to five years, we’re going to have 100,000 people attend, and it’s going to be successful not just for laughs, just for love.”