Comedian Reuben Kaye confirms Darwin Comedy Festival show, talks edgy issues

As the Darwin Comedy Festival nears, one of the nation’s most recognisable performers says he is looking to deliver Territorians an unforgettable ‘sexy’ and ‘filthy’ experience.

Reuben Kaye will be joining the Darwin Comedy Festival in the coming weeks.

As the Darwin Comedy Festival nears, one of the nation’s most recognisable performers says he is looking to deliver Territorians an unforgettable “sexy” and “filthy” experience.

In the coming weeks, locals are set to be thrilled when a star-studded comedy line-up takes centre stage, including Celeste Barber, Nazeem Hussain and Sammy J.

However, one of the most identifiable names on the list, cabaret icon Reuben Kaye, is calling on Territorians looking for a particularly edgy evening.

“You can expect some peak Reuben Kaye material; it’s going to be sexy, funny and filthy,” he told this masthead.

“The band is hot as s--t, we’ve got some great original songs and anyone who has seen me before is going to see something that’s amped up above and beyond what they’ve seen before.

“And anyone who hasn’t seen me before is in for a real treat.”

Kaye says no one “too sensitive” should come to his shows.

Known for pushing the boundaries, Kaye issued a warning to those with thinner skin.

“No one too sensitive should be coming to my shows, but I do like to think that my place, my shows, are a safe space for everyone as long as we’re all happy to be probed a little bit,” he said.

“I think there’s a lot made about in the news where everyone goes ‘oh, comedy is being ruined because it’s all too sensitive’ - come to one of my shows and I dare you to say that.”

As for what topics will Kaye touch on, he said he’d cover everything from censorship, to the church, politics and queer identity.

“It’s a really dangerous time and a really scary time and the best way to combat that, I think, is to laugh about it, come together and find the things that really unite us,” he said.

The last time Kaye graced the Top End was in the thick of Wet season during Covid. Picture: Tony Gough

In Kaye’s opinion, the religion topic tends to get the biggest reaction.

“(Religion) is designed to let you know that there’s someone else out there who’s got your back – whether that’s true or not, it’s designed to do that, that’s why people are so attached to it,” he said.

Having performed across the globe, Kaye said he looked forward to returning to Darwin, a city he hasn’t graced since the Covid era.

“There’s something absurd and magical about steaming and sweating away in the heat and just watching the thunderstorms roll in,” he said.

“Even for an atheist like me, it’s pretty amazing seeing something as Biblical as the lightning there.”

Reuben Kaye will perform at the Darwin Entertainment Centre on March 6, 2025 at 8pm.

For more information, visit www.yourcentre.com.au

Originally published as Comedian Reuben Kaye confirms Darwin Comedy Festival show, talks edgy issues