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Melbourne Fringe: Ode To A Grape
 

Johann is launching a poetry book. Johann is a very bad poet.

Prepare to be simultaneously charmed and berated by Tīrau’s resident self proclaimed artist, incompetent anarchist, and lover of grapes.

Born in Limburg; Germany, Johann packed his quill and moved to the small town of Tīrau, (NZ) to free himself of his parental constraints and find himself as an artist. Now he is ready to share his angst with the world.

With a diary full of inspiration (and sheep poo), Johann has arrived in Naarm to launch (or attempt to launch) his first poetry book.

Unfortunately, as he presents his painfully curated manifesto, he will be sidetracked by his hatred of society, his love for Elton John, and his ongoing frustration with capitalism. Will we ever hear the full book? Do we want to?

Join award winning actor and writer Em Barrett as she presents to you her ultimate artistic alter ego. Based in Naarm, Em is an experienced clown, character actor, and performer with a background in theatre and drag. In 2022 she won the Tour Ready Award for her solo comedy Community in NZ Fringe where Johann originally appeared. Since then Johann has broken out into the comedy scene to share his internal angst and terrible poetry with the world. He has appeared at venues such as The Butterfly Club and The Motley Bauhaus, shouting awful poetry and giving unsolicited life advice to comedy audiences as they laugh along, mildly terrified but nevertheless enabling his grandiose mediocrity.

A show for poetry lovers and haters alike.

 

Event details

Venue: The Motley Bauhaus - The Cellar
Bookings: https://www.melbournefringe.com.au/whats-on/events/ode-to-a-grape
Start Date: Monday 28 September 2026

 

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