Be Here Now (For an Hour Then You Can Go) | Melbourne International Comedy Festival 2026

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https://www.comedyfestival.com.au/browse-shows/be-here-now-for-an-hour-then-you-can-go/

Date Reviewed: 26/03/2026

For the sake of Mister McGowan claiming his drone on tax, all comedy loving theatre goers should definitely check out his new show, Be Here Now (For an Hour Then You Can Go).

His quick, cheeky and occasionally even emotional stories worked well in such a small venue as The Cooper’s Inn. He dominates the room with relaxed skill and humour.

Gerald McGowan is a master storyteller and his skill at building humour is superb. I should mention I have a bit of experience of Gerry from listening to his equally excellent podcast The Mugg Off in the past, so I know a little bit about his style of comedy and life.

I really enjoyed this show. He is very funny. His crowd work is solid but it does not smother the show. He is obviously aware that some people come to comedy expecting nothing but crowd work, while others want to sit quietly behind the fourth wall, and he balances this well by doing both in a measured way.

It really is delightful to see an expert doing what they do at their craft. Watching Gerald McGowan doing stand up is, for me, akin to watching an expert laying carpet, building a door frame or painting a wall. It fills you with a warm satisfaction to see someone doing something so efficiently and well.

I think what I love most about Gerald McGowan is that he does not exist in a vacuum when he is onstage. Other comedians get up and present an artificial version of themselves. They are slick and smooth, and you do not get a sense of what their real life may be like. McGowan is not deeply confessional, but he is honest about his life. He lives at his parents home, he has a day job, and he deals with the usual struggles. It is a big reason why I like his podcast.

He feels and speaks like a real human, which is something we do not always get, especially from international comedians at the Melbourne Comedy Festival. Comedians who sing, wear elaborate outfits, rely on a handful of rehearsed stories or talk about politics as if they are bringing about a revolution can sometimes feel like they are hiding behind those choices.

McGowan delivers about an hour of really funny comedy, mixes in some solid crowd work, tells some great stories and then leaves. Simple as that. There is no need for an orchestra, a musical instrument or a dazzling outfit.

The show is quick, simple, honest and funny. I would happily recommend him to anybody keen on a laugh.

Reviewed by Nic