Neel Kolhatkar’s Dirty Flirty 30 is a bold and hilarious show that is perfect for anyone who enjoys a mix of relatable observational comedy and edgy humour. I found myself laughing out loud the whole time! Dirty Flirty 30 takes a provocative and inquisitive look at our world and how the modern man and woman fit into it.
Neel’s show explores themes of history, politics, and relationships. A key strength is that Neel is an excellent storyteller. My favourite kind of comedy circles back to quips that occurred earlier in the evening, showing thoughtfulness and wit. Neel was able to do this, not only with his scripted elements but also with the unscripted moments taken from the audience, which was seriously impressive.
Neel doesn’t shy away from controversial issues and teeters on the boundary of political correctness. He enjoys testing the audience’s prudishness and bringing out the dark humour that lives within us all. Because if we can’t laugh at each other, what is left in these trying times?
Neel’s very easy presence on the stage makes it clear that this isn’t his first rodeo. After 15 years in the business, he brings great charisma and kindness that makes it easy to laugh with him. He has a strong emotional intelligence and can detect when he has crossed a line. Importantly, he knows exactly how to connect with the audience, spending time getting to know each of them and tying them into his jokes.
Neel has a way of making fun of his audience without offending them through clever engagement that makes them feel like they are in on the joke. He was surprisingly easy on my English in-laws, focusing on the lack of spice in their food. (Which, frankly, was a fair point.) Considering the English are so easy to dig into, I think they got off lightly.
The Hof is one of my favourite venues in Melbourne and I recommend arming yourself with a wonderful glass of wine or even a stein (one litre of beer!) to ease yourself into the evening. We seized the opportunity and headed down for a schnitzel and spaetzle (German egg noodles) after the show. It was as delicious as ever!
Dirty Flirty 30 is part of Neel’s national tour, which has been brought back after previously being performed last year. If you’re looking for a show to see at this year’s Melbourne International Comedy Festival, I strongly recommend catching Dirty Flirty 30.
Neel Kolhatkar: Dirty Flirty 30 is runs until 20 April at Hofbräuhaus Melbourne, 18-28 Market Lane as part of the 2025 Melbourne International Comedy Festival.
Tickets: https://www.comedyfestival.com.au/browse-shows/neel-kolhatkar-dirty-flirty-30#show-calendar
Socials: https://www.instagram.com/melbcomedyfestival/
Website: https://www.comedyfestival.com.au/ and https://www.neelkolhatkar.com/
