Scout Durwood’s Apocalypse Cabaret: Songs For The End Of The World is a Malbec-drenched, anarchic solo spectacle that lures audiences in with karaoke chaos and nihilist humour; only to subvert expectations with an emotionally resonant journey. Beginning as a riotous end-of-days cabaret, where Durwood belts out pop bangers and existential musings with deadpan wit and flair. Beneath the satire lies a brilliant script that gradually deconstructs its own absurdity.

As the show unfolds, Durwood explores identity, grief, mental health, the trauma of relationships, and growing up queer with vulnerability. The humour is lacerating, almost too-subtle for some audiences who haven’t quite caught onto the concept yet. Sharp and tongue-in-cheek, Durwood could push the concept further into its risqué potential, but the emotional pay-off is undeniable.

Vocally and in constructing lyrics, Durwood is arresting, shifting from torch songs to comic numbers with ease. Some aggressive audience interaction adds surreal charm, while the colour-spattered lighting evokes a smoky dive bar at the last flickering moments of Durwood’s time in this world. A celebration of survival and selfhood, it’s cabaret with teeth and a reminder that sometimes, the apocalypse is just the beginning of understanding who we are.

Apocalypse Cabaret: Songs For The End Of The World, Underbelly Bristo Square, until 24 August, 9.20pm; main piture: Cara Howe.