AWKward 
Two Friends - one hell of a crazy  journey
Starring Dave Houston & Mitch King.  Directed by Craig Mathewson

AWKward is an improvised vibrant comic performance that dives into the complexities of friendship, race, and identity in contemporary Australia. The show follows two mates—one Indigenous and one white Australian—through a maze of social interactions, highlighting the awkwardness that emerges from differences in culture, race, and personal experiences.

What are people saying about the show

"Through the performers' clever imagination, electric chemistry, and compelling comic delivery, AWKward captivates audiences while addressing pressing social themes—with plenty of humour to keep you laughing." — The Mothership, New York City, July 2024

‘AWKward is a uniquely engaging show. Shifting perceived boundaries between art and reality, script and improv, humour and discomfort, it keeps audiences captive through its short vignettes and ever-changing characters and situations.’ Simone Museth, Byron Bay 9/09/2024

TOURING DATES

Melbourne - Naarm
9:00 pm  Thursday 12 December   – The Motley Bauhaus, Carlton
9:00 pm  Friday 13 December   – The Motley Bauhaus, Carlton. 

Catch the show before it takes off at The Edinburgh Fringe Festival next year.

From confronting truths about cultural identity to Australia’s obsession with sport and the absurdities of showbiz, AWKward offers a powerful reflection on the meaning of friendship in a diverse world. Audiences will experience moments that provoke laughter, cringes, self-awareness, and reflection on navigating relationships in a multicultural society.

Developed in New York City (July 2024) by Australian theatre-makers Mitch King and Dave Houston, AWKward artfully blends humour with social commentary. Mitch King, an Indigenous dancer, musician, and actor from the Bundjalung nation, brings his cultural heritage to life on stage, while Dave Houston, an actor and comic of Anglo-Celtic descent, adds his comedic flair. Together, they create a dynamic performance, seamlessly shifting between serious and playful scenes, often using theatre and video footage to address deeper issues.
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The show is directed by Craig Mathewson, an accomplished writer and director specialising in cross-cultural theatre with Indigenous artists. Mathewson has directed nine productions that have toured major festivals and reached thousands of Indigenous audiences across Australia’s remote communities.

​Can laughter help us confront the realities of race, culture, and identity? 
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Don’t miss AWKward—  a performance that uses comedy to spark critical conversations about similarities, cultural differences, and the resilience of friendship.
 AWKWARD PROMO TRAILER

​Filmed in Byron Bay - 9/09/2024 

​Filmed & edited by Brett Stephens. 
The making of AWKward from New York City
In the heat of a New York City summer, July 2024, Two best mates embark on a creative residency at The Mothership in Brooklyn. Sharing a room for a month, the mates create a new show.  
Footage from Brett Stephens, Mitch King, Dave Houston,  edited by Brett Stephens.