Performed by Samuel Barnett, written by Marcelo Dos Santos and directed by Matthew Xia
A mad, full throttle one-man show explores sex, dating and – possibly – love
Reviewed by Mary Anne Reid
The Playhouse, Sydney Opera House
Until 23rd February
Tickets: https://www.sydneyoperahouse.com/events/book-now/262635/0
Type: Dark Comedy, One Man Show
If you liked: Baby Reindeer, Fleabag, Hannah Gadsby
A permanently single, neurotic stand-up comedian addicted to online dating, finally meets someone who might be Mr Right but just can’t believe it. This is the plot for a rapid-fire, witty exploration of the neuroticism of modern life and love. The stand-up comedian is British and Mr Right is American, bringing an additional vein of cross-cultural humour to be mined in the show.
Feeling Afraid That Something Terrible Is Going To Happen comes to Australia after a hit season in London, featuring as part of the 2025 Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras Festival program. It is from the producers of the original Edinburgh Fringe Festival staged versions of 2013’s Fleabag by Phoebe Waller-Bridge and 2019’s Baby Reindeer by Richard Gadd, which also deal with some of the same themes. Feeling Afraid, however, is less concerned with resolving the contradictions and tensions in the big issues at play in their eventual accoladed TV dramas. It does delve into the sadness and neuroticism lurking beneath compulsive, casual sex and dating, but these moments play second fiddle to the comedic events and revelry in modern sex culture.
It would be a shame to give away the two big gags that bookend Feeling Afraid, so suffice to say that the young protagonist is afraid he is going to unwittingly kill his new boyfriend, Mr Right.
Lead actor Samuel Barnett and Olivier award-winning director Matthew Xia work well together in ramping up the energy of this one-man show – a little manic at the beginning, but settling in as the action progresses. Barnett switches seamlessly between the high-pitched, nervous voice of his character and the low, mellow tones of his well-endowed American boyfriend. Some clever footwork while doing the two voices is a neat bit of choreography that adds to the humour.
Feeling Afraid felt like it was trying to say something important about the dark underbelly of issues lying below the gags written by Marcelo Dos Santos, but the material didn’t ultimately deliver on this as well as it might have.
This aside, it was a mad and comedic ride, with much to admire about the acting, directing and stage presentation. The Australian audience certainly welcomed this British take on modern love and neuroticism, and gave Barnett a very warm embrace for his work.
Sydney Opera House Presents a production by Francesca Moody Productions in association with Roast Productions
