Or: that time my friend and I went to a comedy show with both of our exes. Truly, what could go wrong?! Most people go no contact, but I thought—hey—let’s take it a step further and sit in the front row of a comedy show together. (I’m processing this breakup very well).

I’m sure you’re wondering how we got here; I’ll spare you the gory details but long story short a group of my friends formerly included two long term couples which have reasonably recently separated. I would know because I was one of them! Before you ask, I am FINE! 

I thought what better than a giggle to cheer me up, which is why I was in luck that pre-Breakup-Gate we had agreed to go see Charlie Valentine’s Comedy Festival show! 

PART 1 (Yes, there are multiple parts to this review… don’t look at me like that)

The whole fiasco was off to a roaring start when my ex cancelled on us (classic). So, it was just me and my friend, her ex (also my friend) and Nathaniel (not an ex, we love Nathaniel). A previously untapped dynamic. After having a few too many drinks (and some $4 pizza) at the Naked For Satan happy hour, we were running late and had to book a very last-minute Uber to the venue: The Motley Wherehaus. We were greeted with a cosy atmosphere and directed swiftly to Vault B—an intimate room down a staircase. Charlie welcomed us and checked our tickets at the door. We took the only remaining seats so that my formerly coupled friends were sitting next to each other, while I was sat between Nathaniel and a well-dressed stranger. 

The opening of the show was one of my favourite parts. As a comedian, Charlie has an incredible ability to commit to a bit. Unfortunately, it seemed our laughter was all too good to be true because—CRASH!—during Charlie’s iconic intro music, we heard a disturbingly realistic sound of something falling to the ground, followed by the visuals on the TV disappearing. At this point I think there was a general vibe of confusion as to what was part of his comedy performance and what was genuinely an unplanned technical difficulty (in the extreme sense that the technology just wasn’t working). 

The fact that it took Charlie verbatim telling us there were supposed to be slides accompanying the show for me to know that it was NOT planned speaks to his ability to play anything off as a really stupidly funny joke. His charisma on stage is unshakable. Although he makes jokes about feeling anxious or uncomfortable, which I presume are not completely jokes, he could have fooled me! 

That being said, at the end of his set he told us that the show had been derailed by someone smashing his TV in the greenroom in a tone that I now know is his very much not joking voice. He asked us to come again if we could… spoiler: we could. 

PART 2 (Last part, don’t worry)

So, a week later we went again. This time my ex came! Yay! Meaning that we achieved a double ex-date (+ lovely Nathaniel of course). This time around we were all sitting in the first row, the “splash zone” according to Charlie, as you are in danger of falling victim to a sweat droplet or some spit particles when the show gets particularly explosive. I was the honourable recipient of Charlie’s dap up, which became slightly less of an honour when he declared it was a “much easier way to keep track of all the people he’s given Scabies to”. Joy! 

I am gonna try not to spoil any specific jokes for you, but I will tease that there is a bit of everything in the show: singing, dancing, beatboxing, philosophical questions and nudity. The nudity probably stole the show and made me laugh out loud the most. Come for the comedy and stay for the bare ass <3

The show was great for my group of friends, so if you’re anything like us and enjoy a bit of crude humour, dangerous sarcasm and embodied physical comedy you should absolutely check Charlie out next time he is doing shows! You can find him on insta @char1ievalentine :) 

I can honestly say that if you’re trying to stay friends with an ex-partner a comedy show is a great place to start—especially a Charlie Valentine comedy show. You leave with a renewed sense of community, having bonded with your fellow audience members through laughter. It's hard to cry about your failed relationship when you are laughing about sex jokes. Although… sex jokes can hit a little too close to home! 

Thank you so much for reading and thank you Charlie Valentine for having us!