Penguin Classics, Naked Ambitions: Garry Starr’s Comic Odyssey Returns to Australia

Australia’s Most Outrageous Literary Hero Is Back

Fresh from a sold-out international tour and crowned Most Outstanding Show at the Melbourne International Comedy Festival 2025, Garry Starr is returning to Australian stages this spring — and he’s on a noble mission: to save literature. His method? Stripping down to nothing but a pair of flippers and performing every Penguin Classic novel ever written.

From 3 September to 12 October, audiences around the country will be swept into a whirlwind of absurdity, where books meet buffoonery and slapstick reigns supreme.

One Man. Every Classic. No Pants.

In his new show, Starr, the comic phenomenon, doesn’t just tiptoe through literary history — he cannonballs through it. Expect chaotic renditions of Moby Dick, Crime and Punishment, Wuthering Heights, The Little Prince and countless more, all filtered through his uniquely unhinged lens.

No character is safe. No plot remains untouched. And no trousers are in sight.

Critics Are Laughing Themselves Senseless

After a string of rave reviews in the UK and across Australia, it’s no surprise that Starr’s latest spectacle was awarded the highest honour at this year’s Melbourne International Comedy Festival.

‘Brilliantly ticklish… joyfully silly’ – The Guardian
‘Ingenious… a very funny man who is peculiarly averse to wearing trousers.’ – The Scotsman

The show’s irreverent energy and unpredictable physical comedy are drawing comparisons to vintage Monty Python, while its literary premise gives book lovers a deliriously warped take on their favourite titles.

Don’t Miss the Cultural Event of the Season

This limited season is a must-see for anyone who’s ever read a book — or laughed at one. Whether you're a die-hard theatre-goer, a bookworm with a sense of humour, or simply in need of a night of utterly joyous nonsense, Garry Starr's return is not to be missed.

Tour dates, ticket details, and venue information can be found at:
www.garrystarr.com
www.comedyfestival.com.au

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