Funny, impish and heartbreaking: This show is ‘a gay male Fleabag’

May Be Interested In:No casinos, no kids: This ship could convert cruise sceptics


COMEDY | MIDSUMMA
Feeling Afraid as if Something Terrible Is Going to Happen ★★★★
Arts Centre Melbourne, until February 1

Among the cream of our Millennial comedians, gay men are common as mud. Look at Josh Thomas or Joel Creasey or Tom Ballard or Rhys Nicholson. All very gay and creamy, and although they mine their relationships for material all the time (Thomas’ last live show Let’s Tidy Up gave us a comprehensive update on his romantic life, and those with long memories will recall that he and Ballard dated for 2½ years), they do not, as a rule, write shows about killing their boyfriends, however strong the temptation might be.

Samuel Barnett in a scene from Feeling Afraid as If Something Terrible Is Going to HappenCredit: Mark Gambino

In the UK, a darker comedic vein prevails. Feeling Afraid as if Something Terrible Is Going to Happen is about a troubled, 36-year-old stand-up comedian – gay and relationship-averse – who falls in love with an American Mr Right against the odds. It’s undiscovered country for him, not to mention the neurotic shtick he trades on, and he soon becomes obsessed by the prospect of slaying his new partner.

Cue the slasher horror sound effect from Psycho? Or is this yet more fodder for a career built on excavating alienation … and using it to build an impregnable defence against intimacy?

Writer Marcelo Dos Santos has created a sinuous comic monodrama that drapes itself in the world of stand-up, onstage and behind the scenes. He’s written comedy for comedians – the way some novels are written for writers – exploring the architecture and philosophy of comedy through droll social observation, perverse introspection, and a character who’s likeably unlikeable and a bit disturbing.

Thinking of the show as a gay male Fleabag is not, in fact, too wide of the mark.

Samuel Barnett’s performance is impish and charismatic.

Samuel Barnett’s performance is impish and charismatic.Credit: Mark Gambino

Samuel Barnett’s performance is impish and charismatic – a brilliantly sustained character portrait that writhes with discomfort and melancholy underneath the relentless onslaught of comic striving.

It’s impressive the way Barnett can spin on a dime, shifting through multiple characters with different accents, or ricochet from a camp running gag into an awkward, quietly heartbreaking scene in which the comedian talks to his mother in a distanced and dutiful way on the phone.

share Share facebook pinterest whatsapp x print

Similar Content

Headway Premium: Lifetime Subscription
Start your year by getting smarter with this micro-learning app — Now 80% off
First Washington plane crash victims identified
First Washington plane crash victims identified
Premier Danielle Smith
YOU SAID IT: At least Danielle Smith defends Canada
Home Office doubles time given to refugees to find accommodation
Home Office doubles time given to refugees to find accommodation
Ewan McGregor takes on first theatre role in 17 years
Ewan McGregor takes on first theatre role in 17 years
Don Meredith.
Former employee testifies against ex-Senator in sexual assault trial
Hot Off the Press: Breaking Stories You Need to Hear | © 2025 | Daily News