Ageing: Results May Vary–COMEDY REVIEW – 2 April 2026 **** (4)

COMEDY FESTIVAL

Written & performed by Geoff Paine & Ross Daniels

At  Bard's Apothecary, Crossley Place, Melbourne, until Sat 4 April 2026. 6.45pm

Melbourne Comedy Festival 2026

Reviewer: Kate Herbert

Stars: **** (4)

This review is  published only on this blog. I’ll present a radio review on Arts Weekly on 3MBS on Sat 4 April 2026. KH

Ross Daniels & Geoff Paine

Ross Daniels and Geoff Paine are two very funny, highly skilled performers. Now well past Seniors’ Card eligibility, they furiously plunder their own lives for material about ageing —and strike comedy gold.

 

The audience resembles an MTC matinee: a sea of greying heads nodding in recognition. Almost every gag lands, drawing hearty, knowing laughter from a predominantly over-55 crowd.

 

A brisk audience poll confirms Boomers (Yay, team!) and Gen X are firmly in charge, with only a smattering of younger attendees bravely holding their ground.

 

NB: No Gen Alphas were harmed in the making of this show. (If you don’t know, they’re babies!)

 

For 55 minutes, Paine and Daniels catalogue the indignities of ageing: statins, fish oil, calcium levels, prostate woes, and the twin betrayals of hair and memory loss. You can recall your childhood phone number — but not the name of that actor in that thing. You know — the one with the hair.

 

There’s a cheeky visit from the Grim Reaper, offering ominous (and darkly funny) reminders of what’s to come.

 

A running memory test — three words to retain until the end — has the audience muttering to themselves like exam candidates. Just in case.

 

There’s some deliberately daffy dancing, including a Nutbush with a game audience member, plus original songs about ageing and a cleverly titled Oasis medley that’s best left unspoiled.

 

It’s a short run, but the show deserves a longer life — or at least regular bookings at retirement villages. They could repeat it weekly; parts of the audience might find it fresh each time. Wicked.

 

This is sharply observed, warmly delivered identification comedy for older audiences. Flash your Seniors’ Card for a concession — and take the train while you’re at it. No MYKI fare required ‘cos PT is free for April.

 

Cast
Geoff Paine & Ross Daniels

Creative Team
Lighting & Sound Operator and walk-on performer: Matt …? (Forget his surname!) Ah! Campbell!