Now a returning fixture of the Brisbane Comedy Festival, Thank God You’re Queer riffs on the familiar and iconic format of Network 10’s Thank God You’re Here while centreing queer voices and experiences. It throws some of Brisbane’s sharpest Straight comedians into the unknown … and dares them to survive it.
The premise is simple but effective: pre-show prompts submitted by the audience via QR code—often drawn from real-life queer moments—are fed to a cast of LGBTQI+ improvisers who have only minutes to workshop ideas before stepping onstage. The result is predictably unpredictable, with scenes that veer from sharp and insightful to completely unhinged. (Brisbane City Council approving a giant, interactive Glory Hole…anyone?)
The Queer cast—Ollie Windsor, Beef, Caitlin McGrath, Cameron Watson, and Kelsey Wynn—didn’t just perform improv, they elevated it. Quick, fearless, and ridiculously funny, they built scenes that were as solid as they were chaotic, bouncing off each other with the kind of chemistry you can’t fake.
Successful Improv relies not only on a sharp wit but on respect, honesty, and a willingness to share the spotlight. The Queer cast showed that in spades allowing and supporting each other to run with a theme with all of the pivots that improv demands.
There was a generosity onstage that kept even the more chaotic moments grounded.
In contrast, the “Straight Cast”—Luka Dale, Liz Talbot, Rhys McCane, and Taylor Edwards – inhabited a deliberately more precarious role, thrown into unfamiliar territory in pursuit of the tongue-in-cheek title of “Best Ally.” Their willingness to commit, even when clearly out of their depth, made for some of the night’s more memorable moments. Watching them trying and (mostly) succeeding in keeping up? Comedy gold!
Hosting duties were handled smoothly by Daniel Kirkby representing Second Beat Productions. In collaboration with Big Fork Theatre, both companies continue to play a significant role in shaping Brisbane’s improv and comedy landscape. Daniel’s effortless charm meant the show never slowed down—each scene more unhinged and hilarious than the last, and his directing ability ensured that each scene closed at a critical and hilarious point.
As with any improv show, not every line lands—but that’s part of the appeal. What Thank God You’re Queer offered was spontaneity, risk, and an insightful look at lived experiences.
Standout performances of the evening saw Taylor Edwards crowned “Queen Ally” for the second year but there was not a dud note from any of the cast – Straight or Queer.
Ultimately, Thank God You’re Queer succeeds not by being polished, but by being present—leaning into the messiness of improv and the richness of the stories it draws from.
To book tickets to Thank God You’re Queer, please visit https://www.brisbanecomedyfestival.com/events/thank-god-youre-queer/.
