the worst of us.
what’s the worst thing you’ve ever done?
a kid says something he cannot undo.
a mother holds onto something that might not be true.
a man holds a garden hoe, about to do the hardest thing he has ever had to.
woven from anonymous confessions of the worst things people have ever done, ‘the worst of us.’ explores the messiness of being human, the ways we fail one another, and how we can begin to forgive ourselves.
one storyteller. three stories.
an eruption of music, spoken word, and hope.
showings
FRINGE WORLD perth 2026
the state library
january 21st & 22nd (6:30PM)
febuary 4th & 5th (6:30PM)
ritz party showroom @ rocky fringe
january 30th (6:00PM)
midland junction arts centre
january 31st & february 1st (6:30PM)
adelaide fringe 2026
goodwood theatre & studios
february 19th – 22nd (7:00PM)
february 28th & march 1st (7:00PM)
march 4th – 8th (7:00PM)
cast & crew
creator &
performer
emmett aster (he/him)
collaborator &
tech support
robbie fieldwick (he/they)
sound designer
benjamin vaughan (he/him)
accessibility
accessibility information
all venues have wheelchair/mobility aid access and an accessible bathroom. for detailed venue accessibility information, please see the FRINGE WORLD website or goodwood theatre’s venue access page.
this show has a high audio content.
the fast pace and music may cause comprehension difficulties for audience members with auditory processing issues. printed copies of the script will be available to read along with.
there is no lockout; audience are free to leave and return whenever they would like.
if you have an access query/request, please contact us!
content warnings
this show contains references to and discussions of eating disorders, substance abuse and parental neglect, and animal death/violence.
audience testimonials
a very intimate performance, emotional and raw. loved listening to the spoken words of stories that resonate with so many of us, truly encapsulating so many of our experiences. Thank you!
beautiful storytelling. wonderful.
incredibly beautiful and thoughtfully crafted performance.
[one] of the most special and affecting pieces of theatre that i have been to in a long time.
a deftly crafted arrangement of stories, confessions, and reflections offering glances into the darkness and complexities of ordinary lives, and bringing into focus the efforts of people to make good.
creator and performer emmett aster’s skill with words – spoken and sung with delicate accompanying guitar – is the foundation of this performance, and he voiced the connected stories with powerful vulnerability, inviting us to see ourselves with honesty and compassion.
there’s no better review than the audience’s reaction, we were laughing, shedding tears, and holding each other closer. emmett evoked a profound empathy from the audience for the person in each story told, exploring the taboos of humanity with his spellbinding writing, storytelling, song and lighting.
emmett shows the way we try our best in difficult circumstances, and shines an unflinching light on all sides of humanity, especially the taboo, raw, messy parts of ourselves and our actions that we’re taught to hide in favour of the perfect polished versions. emmett shows that true empathy and love for each other is found in holding to light these parts of ourselves and others, and loving even more for it.