Jack Studo Theatre – 11 July 2026
Reviewed by Claire Roderick
4****
Two invitations – one to a wedding, and the other to paint a portrait – are the starting point for Tom Neenan’s whip smart storytelling. Of course, playing on social awkwardness and ingrained English politeness, nothing goes smoothly.
In this hour-long show, themes and threads are interwoven masterfully with wonderful callbacks and clever setups. Neenan’s descriptions of his subject and his idiosyncratic conversation paint a picture in the audience’s mind long before we see the finished portrait, and the request to be painted with medals to represent all he has overcome in his life provides a magnificent one-liner but also leads to a deeper insight to Neenan’s own struggles with confidence and anxiety. There are hilarious but toe-curling anecdotes about teenage self-confidence and disasters and a glorious section about his phone call with the world’s worst Samaritan.
The show tackles important topics like body image and mental health, self-image and how we want the world to view us – in art and in life – but Neenan’s storytelling prowess and his deft comedic touch keep the audience chuckling and he throws in curveballs about chocolate (this should have had a content warning!) and comments about his own writing that keep the audience on their toes.
Neenan’s self-deprecating style is charming and engaging, and the hour whizzes by, coming back full circle to the opening and a smart reminder that this “true” story is a piece of art that has been embellished and carefully honed to display an image of Tom Neenan that delights and entertains – which the show does in spades.
A wonderful hour of clever and creative comedy.
Playing at Underbelly – George’s Square at 3.15 from 5 – 31 August