Ex-pro baller turned acclaimed comedian Clay McMath will bring his most personal show yet to Melbourne International Comedy Festival.
If you’re looking for an emerging standup that’s a sure-bet this Comedy Fest, look no further than McMath. He’s clearly learned from the best and we reckon he has all the ingredients needed for this to be a breakout year.
In Over My Head is a raw and relatable exploration of moments where McMath has felt hilariously out of his depth, from attending high-society events to family reunions with relatives he only met at 21. Yet there’s no sense of McMath being out of depth on-stage, he exudes the sort of confidence from the moment he walks out that you can only have when you know you have killer punchlines. Then again, he did play pro basketball, so that might explain the mettle.
Clay McMath
- The MC Showroom, Prahran
- March 25 to April 5
- Tickets from an absolute bargain $10, grab them here
Check out our gig guide, our festival guide, our live music venue guide and our nightclub guide. Follow us on Instagram here.
View this post on Instagram
Watching McMath work a room, you’d never guess 2024 threw him into the deep end. Between unexpected redundancy during the cost-of-living squeeze and the chaos of raising a toddler, he’s somehow transformed life’s messiest moments into comedy gold. Where lesser comics might create cringeworthy routines, McMath mines these experiences with the precision of someone who knows exactly how to find the funny in failure.
“The show is about those moments we all face where we feel like imposters in our own lives,” McMath said. “But it’s also about resilience, finding humour in the hard times, and connecting through laughter.”
McMath’s journey to the comedy stage has been anything but conventional. After his career as a professional basketball player in the notoriously competitive US college system, he turned to comedy – a passion that had burned bright since childhood. Inspired by comedy legends like Bill Burr and Dave Chappelle (who he pirated off Napster, anyone else?) he developed his own storytelling style that comes alive in his latest work.
His talent for engaging audiences has been honed through years on the road and via his successful podcast Welcome to the Poddy, and he returns to Melbourne hot off the success of his perfectly-titled Not Safe For Netflix showcase. Now, he brings those well-crafted storytelling skills to explore some of life’s most challenging and humorous moments.
View this post on Instagram
The show touches on McMath’s unique background – growing up in Australia without meeting his American family until he was 21, a poignant milestone that fuelled his hunger for connection through storytelling. This experience, along with other life challenges, forms the backbone of In Over My Head.
If it all sounds a bit serious, relax, it’s just incredibly rich and poignant subject matter for plenty of laughs. Whether it’s navigating parenthood, unemployment, or social situations where he feels completely out of place, his ability to find the funny side will resonate with you, no matter your walk of life.
For more information, head here.
This article was made in partnership with Clay McMath.
