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If you’ve ever wondered what it’s like to be slapped in the face by a sequined glove while someone whispers the most brutally accurate political critique into your ear, Reuben Kaye’s Hard to Swallow is the show for you.
I caught the sold-out World Premiere performance at the Liberty Theatre as a total Kaye virgin. I sat wide-eyed in the front-row, and was completely unprepared.
From the moment he strutted onstage in full couture drag, he owned the room like a glitter-drenched hurricane. His crowd work? Legendary, playful and precise.
Sure, there were filthy jokes, but the show is more than campy cabaret. It’s a razor-sharp takedown of our ridiculous world.
Political targets? Everyone — Donald Trump, Pauline Hanson, Gina Rinehart, both major parties, even Hitler somehow makes an appearance. And tucked between the chaos are clever reflections on toxic masculinity, queer rights, and religion — including a Vatican punchline about men wearing dresses had the audience in stitches.
Amid the mayhem, it’s easy to forget Kaye is also a world-class vocalist. His operatic voice gave me goosebumps while laughing simultaneously.
Fresh from Edinburgh — and a surreal stint in a German Jewish hospital with a Palestinian doctor — Kaye brings intelligence, passion, and chaos to every minute.
Hard to Swallow isn’t just a show; it’s a glitter-fuelled, high-octane cabaret rollercoaster. Reuben Kaye doesn’t just perform — he starts a party, a revolution, and leaves you laughing long after the curtain falls.
Have you ever played the game “Who would you want at your dinner party?”?
Reuben Kaye is instantly at the top of my list — sparkling wit, outrageous topical stories, and guaranteed entertainment!
If you can snag tickets at Fringe, don’t hesitate. Trust me, front row is worth every second.