Joshy in Paris - Fringe World 2026

Reviewed by Rachel Doulton

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A whirlwind combination of cabaret, stand-up and clown, Joshy in Paris takes us from our uncultured bogan roots and gives us a taste of the elegance and refinery of Parisian life. Except when we get there we see that it's all a veneer to cover the piss-ridden streets and coldness of the people. After touring the show to Melbourne Comedy Festival and Europe, Joshua Hauville brings this high-energy show to Perth audiences as part of Fringe World’s closing weekend.

Before the main narrative begins, Hauville gives us some hilarious character work with a passionate Parisian tragedy followed by a haughty English king. From there we get stories of Joshy’s life in Paris and he got there interwoven with hilarious pop culture references and outrageous punchlines. His expectations of Parisian life were to be filled with passionate love affairs and stardom. All preconceived notions are quickly squashed with failed auditions and existential boners.

Hauville is exceptionally skilled in his delivery; expect to never be bored in this show and to never be able to predict what comes next. Avoiding the front row will not save you from audience participation as Joshy will find someone in the darkest corners to get involved with the show. Every time he is derailed by the audience, of his own making by the way, he manages to get straight back into whatever bit he was exploring. His humour is as biting as it is silly and camp. He is unapologetic in his identity as a gay man and you love him for it.

To add to the chaotic rollercoaster of a show, prop after prop and aftermath of several stripteases are strewn across the stage and by the end of the show you feel like a bomb filled with gay pride has gone off. Each time you think you have settled into one attitude, Joshy immediately breaks it with a well timed dance break or video vignette which only means to bridge the gap between Australian brashness and Parisian absurdity. The culture clashes Joshy experiences become his greatest strengths in this show.

Joshy in Paris is a queer hurricane that is a hilarious take on how our garish Australianess comes up against the seemingly aloof Parisian. In the end though despite our differences, we all want the same thing, to have a laugh, a pint (or a wine) and a dance.

Reviewer Note: Tickets for this review were provided by the theatre company.