- This event has passed.
Jon Bennett: This Will Only Ever Happen Once
A hilarious and moving show by world-renowned Aussie comedian Jon Bennett (Fire in the Meth Lab, Pretending Things are a C*ck, AMERICAN’T) about life’s unrepeatable moments.
A therapist once told me that my relentless drive to perform comes from the same place as my obsession with wildlife: “Because both are rare, unpredictable, and fleeting.” That insight inspired this show.
THIS is a live storytelling experience that explores the powerful connection between the magic of live performance and the thrill of encountering wild animals. It’s about presence, risk, and wonder, and the feeling that what you’re witnessing will never happen quite the same way again.
Using multimedia, comedy, and true stories from 17 years of touring through 58 countries, I share unforgettable moments from the weirdest gigs to the most surprising animal encounters. The show draws compelling parallels between nature and theatre, two things that ask us to pay attention, be present, and embrace the unpredictable.
Audiences can expect a funny, heartfelt, visually rich show that leaves them with a renewed love of live performance, a deeper respect for wildlife, and a better understanding of why we must protect what cannot be repeated, on stage or in the wild.
Awards:
7 X Just for Laughs Award nominee (Montreal Fringe, 2011-2017)
12 X Selection – The Moth Main Stage (NYC, London, Boston, LA, Austin)
2 X Best Comedy Award nominee (Sydney Fringe, 2023)
Best Storytelling Award Winner (Sydney Fringe, 2023)
National Artist of the Year Winner (St. Louis Fringe, 2022)
Inspiration Award Winner (Minnesota Fringe, 2022)
2 X NY Times Best Seller (The Moth Occasional Magic, 2019; How to Tell a Story, 2022)
Selected Off Broadway – Soho Theatre (New York, 2019)
2 X The Moth Story Slam Winner (New York, 2014; LA, 2019)
Best Storyteller Award Winner (Victoria Fringe, 2019)
Outstanding Storytelling Award Winner (London Fringe, 2018)
5 X Best Comedy Award nominee (Perth Fringe, 2012-2015, 2018)
Best Performer & Best Script Award Winner (Nelson Fringe, 2018)
Best Comedy Award Winner (Victoria Fringe, 2017; San Diego Fringe, 2018)
2 X Best International Comedian nominee (New Zealand Comedy Awards, 2017-2018)
Selected Cruise Ship Guest Entertainer (Princess Cruises, Norwegian Cruise Lines, 2018, 2019, 2023)
Producers Pick Award Winner (London Fringe, 2017)
Best Performance Winner (Victoria Fringe, 2016)
Golden Gibbo Award nominee (Melbourne International Comedy Festival, 2015)
Funniest Show Award Winner (London Fringe, 2015)
Pick of the Fringe Award Winner (Calgary Fringe, 2015; Boulder Fringe, 2015)
Critics Choice Award Winner (Orlando Fringe, 2015)
Critics Pick of the Fringe Award Winner (San Diego Fringe, 2014)
2 X Selection – Just for Laughs Zoofest (Montreal, 2013-2014)
Pick of the Fringe Award Winner (Winnipeg Fringe, 2011)
Critical Acclaim:
“Armed only with self-deprecating wit and memories, Bennett reminds us that ordinary people lead extraordinary lives. ★★★★★” – The Sunday Mail (AUS)
“Bennett has an uncanny and unnerving ability to make you crease up with laughter before dropping a perfectly timed bombshell.” ★★★★ – Time Out (UK)
“Bennett is the patron saint of storytelling. ★★★★★” – Broadway Baby (UK)
“Bennett is a joy to watch. This is bold, honest, engaging and different to a lot of standard comedy on offer. ★★★★★” – Fringe Guru (UK)
“A celebration of family, love and dissimilarities, layered with emotion between the many laughs. The result is an energetic, engaging, heartfelt, hilarious show. ★★★★★” – Winning at Failing (AUS)
“Bennett is a must-see. ★★★★★” — Theatre in London (UK)
“The audience is spellbound, laughing, gasping, allowing their emotions to be played upon. “Gut-wrenchingly good – Bennett is a master storyteller. ★★★★” – Time Out Magazine (AUS)
Full of heart and packed with laughter, this is how storytelling should be done. ★★★★” – The Skinny (UK)
“Jon Bennett is relatable from the get-go.” ★★★★★ – National Post (USA)
“Charming, engaging, and endearing.” ★★★★★ – The Star Phoenix (CAN)
“His show will make you laugh, even after you’ve left the venue.” ★★★★★ – Vue Weekly (CAN)
“Hilarious.” ★★★★★ – Edmonton Sun (CAN)
“Bennett is consistently hilarious.” ★★★★★ – Edmontonfringe.ca (CAN)
“Incinerates your expectations of the solo confessional, this flammable Australian is in a league of his own.” ★★★★½ – 12th Night (CAN)
“Brilliant.” ★★★★½ – Rip it Up Magazine (AUS)
“A wonderful storyteller at the top of his game. ★★★★½” — The Plains Producer (AUS)
“The funniest show at the fringe. Don’t miss it.” ★★★★½ – Calgary Herald (CAN)
“Fantastic comedic storytelling.” ★★★★½ – Channel 44 (AUS)
“Instantly likeable, Bennett is a deft storyteller with a frank, confessional style that blends pathos and humour to great effect.” ★★★★½ – Uptown Magazine (CAN)
“An example of how much comedy can achieve in terms of depth and range, that it can be belly laugh funny and emotionally powerful. ★★★★” – Chortle (UK)
“Masterful, hilarious and heart breaking. A Triumph.” – Broadway World (USA)
“A great storyteller. ★★★★” — The Adelaide Advertiser (AUS)
“Without doubt, amongst the best, absolute funniest storytelling I’ve ever heard.” — Db Magazine (AUS)
“The deepest, most poetic hour you’ll spend.” ★★★★ – Winnipeg Free Press (CAN)
“Funny, compelling, and surprising, Fire in the Meth Lab will have you laughing one minute and tearing up the next.” ★★★★ – CBC (CAN)
“Jon Bennett sets the gold standard in storytelling. This show is powerful, brutally honest, and drenched in rich humour.” – Heckler (AUS)
“Timeless joy.” – Herald Sun (AUS)
“An entrancing hour of compelling stories.” ★★★★ – Chortle (UK)
“Über-watchable.” – Charpo Canada (CAN)
“Dick-obsessed humour goes much deeper.” ★★★★ – Now Toronto (CAN)
“Bennett delivers belly laugh after belly laugh.” ★★★★ – London Free Press (UK)
“Bennett is a natural storyteller and will have you completely engrossed.” – Montreal Mirror (CAN)
“An expert storyteller.” – Capital Critics Circle (Montreal)
“A breathtaking, non-stop ride, entertaining and deeply personal.” – KC Reviews (USA)