Accompanied with a very large trigger warning, this confessional hour by comedian and radio host James Barr boldly airs his experience with domestic violence at the hands of an ex-boyfriend. Barr’s affable demeanour quickly establishes us as familiars, with opening crowd work sections further building this relationship between performer and audience. His stage presence is assured and unflappable, which bodes well with today’s small but vocal crowd.

Sadly, to really gain full control of the room and play with tension and release in the way this show requires, his script needs more structural integrity. Basic word play and sassy dick jokes are our primer before plunging into the traumatic depths of Barr's story, which is delivered in short, juvenile sentences with an underbaked punchline added at the end in an attempt to put us at ease. Instead of cracking open his trauma and exploring it artistically, Barr is very matter-of-factly recalling certain experiences. While there’s occasional power in directness, particularly with stats thrown in about domestic violence in the LGBTQ+ community, there’s a lack of creative flair that would have provided audiences with a chance to reflect on their own feelings towards the subject matter.

Sorry I Hurt Your Son (Said My Ex To My Mum), Underbelly Bristo Square, 5.15pm, until 25 August.