Mark our words: Rob Carlton's decades of experience bring an incredible depth to his storytelling that younger performers simply can't replicate.
Fresh from taking out the Adelaide Fringe weekly winner award for best theatre show and the best theatre show award at Perth Fringeworld, Carlton brings his deeply personal performance to the Melbourne International Comedy Festival. Directed by theatre and comedy legend Darren Gilshenan, the show features four true stories spanning from Carlton’s 20s to his 50s.
Willing Participant takes the audience on an emotional journey through sexual taboos, big lies, deep heartaches, and blind hope. The five-star show (seriously, every poster is plastered with five-star reviews) has earned these accolades for its ability to make audiences laugh, cry, and ultimately leave “in love with the world.”
Rob Carlton
- The Malthouse Theatre
- April 1 to 20 – 6:30pm and 5:30pm
- Grab tickets here
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Currently starring in the worldwide hit Boy Swallows Universe, Carlton is also set to appear in season three of The White Lotus (beat that) and Brouhaha’s Dangerous Animals. His impressive career includes a Best Actor Logie for his portrayal of Kerry Packer in Paper Giants, an AWGIE award for Best Comedy for Chandon Pictures, and a Tropfest win for his short film Carmichael and Shane.
He’s at his enigmatic best in the live arena though, and this latest show has garnered enthusiastic praise from critics and fellow performers alike. Glam Adelaide described it as “storytelling at its most delightfulness told by a consummate performer,” while Stage Whispers praised Carlton as “magnetic in his delivery” with stories that were “pure joy.”
Wil Anderson offered a particularly glowing endorsement: “It’s rare you can recommend something that you are pretty sure everyone would enjoy and get something out of, but this is that show.”
Boy Swallows Universe author Trent Dalton was equally impressed, saying: “I’ve never seen anything like it, this thing of simple storytelling beauty and humour nudging so regularly on the profound.”
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What sets Willing Participant apart is Carlton’s ability to craft deeply personal narratives that resonate universally. Carlton’s decades of experience as an actor, writer, and director shine through in his storytelling, creating an intimate connection with the audience that few performers can achieve.
In short, Willing Participant promises to be one of the must-see shows of this year’s Comedy Festival. Carlton’s masterful storytelling creates a space where audiences can experience the full spectrum of emotions while being thoroughly entertained.
Carlton shared the following email he received after a show the other night:
“My wife and I saw Willing Participant last night, and I just wanted to say a huge thank you for an absolutely incredible performance. We were both blown away by your storytelling – you had us laughing, crying, and completely captivated the whole way through.
“On the drive home, I told my wife that you’re such a great example of modern masculinity. The way you balance traditional masculine traits with care, empathy, and vulnerability is something more men should look up to. I loved it so much that I called my dad after the show to organise to take him to see it this week. We’ll either be at the show tomorrow or on Friday. Thanks again, mate. Truly brilliant.
“Cheers, Shannon.”
For Beat readers there’s a $20 ticket rush for the first week of the run if you use the code word ‘TODAY’, today! For more information and to get tickets, head here.
This article was made in partnership with Rob Carlton.
