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11th Annual Haters Ball

 
Ross Anthony Review by Ross Anthony 3 Published: 3 Aug 2025 Hoots @ The Apex Show Dates: 1 Aug 2025-25 Aug 2025

The 11th Hater's Ball brings true chaos energy to the Fringe’s only late-night improv show, taking audience prompts and throwing them to a rotating nightly guest cast of four comedians, each brought on to hate whatever the host selects. The trick? Say the unsayable – without being racist.

It is a hell of a thing to see somebody comedically defend paedophiles without losing the audience

Darius Davies is a charismatic host who balances antagonism and humour with ease – an essential skill, given the show's premise. Something is going to get hated on.

On this occasion, the show seemed to suffer slightly from a mismatch of comic styles, from Adam Greene’s dry British wit to Kate Boyle’s peppy Irish charm. Boyle, to her credit, even admitted at one point that she didn’t want to be mean – an understandable sentiment, if one that’s slightly at odds with the brief. With guest performers changing nightly, your mileage may vary. But Daniel Delby and Joey Delgarno delivered confident, hilarious sets laced with running gags and shared jokes that built steadily with the audience.

The show had occasional pacing issues – likely owing to Boyle being a last-minute stand-in – and a few fumbled lighting and sound cues added some unwanted stutter.

In the end, the show landed in an odd spot for me. I had a great time, but it didn’t quite earn a full four stars. If a 3.5 rating were an option, it would fit perfectly. That said, the head-to-head between Daniel Delby and Joey Delgarno alone made the ticket price worthwhile. It’s no small feat to see someone comedically defend paedophiles without losing the audience. As I said – your mileage may vary. This is not a show for the faint of heart or, in Darius’s words, “anyone with blue hair.”

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The Blurb:

Fresh from selling out at Fringe World Perth, it's the 11th Annual Haters Ball! Four headline comedians battle for the prestigious title of Master Hater, roasting your suggestions. From pop culture to daily gripes, no topic is safe. Expect interactive chaos – no show is ever the same twice. 'Brutally funny' (Scotsman). 'Hysterical' (Dircksey.com.au). 'Perfect late-night adrenaline' (GonzoMagazine.co.uk). 'Most fun I've had compacted into one hour' (Gerard Butler, A-list movie star). Prepare to be offended, amused and part of the ultimate roast!