one4review | On 10, Aug 2025

For his 2025 Fringe show, Kiwi comic Eli Matthewson tells all about the time in 2023 that his boyfriend tried to kill him in his sleep. Despite how this may sound, this isn’t some sort of true crime comedy show – the couple are still together. This outlandish event happened because his partner had a night terror caused by the anxiety of experiencing multiple break-ins at their home. Matthewson’s show centres on this story – in part because when your boyfriend tries to strangle you in his sleep, it’s impossible to stop talking about it. 

The comedy is conversational and witty and Eli is an incredibly charming and confident performer. This is especially evident when he initially forgets to tell a joke during the set and doesn’t realise until the point of its intended callback; he isn’t thrown by this, he laughs it off with the audience and is able to harness a comedic outcome from a minor blunder. Overall, the show is fast-paced and well-crafted. Eli is able to cover a huge range of material ranging from topics such as his time working on breakfast radio and polyamory without it ever feeling disorienting, each line packs a punch.

There is a natural ease to Matthewson’s stage presence which just makes him so entertaining to watch. His show is a thoroughly enjoyable hour at the Fringe, I for one would gladly watch more of his comedy.

***1/2

Reviewed by Niamh O’Hara

Underbelly George Square – Wee Coo

20.50 (1hr)

Until 24 Aug (not 11)