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.
WINNER Adelaide Fringe Final Award 2026
★★★★ ½ “the worst of us. isn’t just theatre – it’s a heartfelt invitation to forgive, to understand, and to hold one another a little closer ” – Stage Whispers
cast & crew
creator &
performer
emmett aster (he/him)
collaborator &
tech support
robbie fieldwick (he/they)
sound designer
benjamin vaughan (he/him)
official reviews
‘the worst of us.’ invites audience members into a small, intimate environment where elements of poetry, song, and storytelling come together. this show from perhaps, theatre. features a single performer, emmett aster, whose commitment to his craft is a marvel to witness.
the most unique and captivating part of this show is the use of lighting. several coloured lamps create scenes that inform the emotional weight of the confessions being shared. as the lights change suddenly, audience members are invited not only to consider the person performing, but one another too.
when i read the pitch for the worst of us., i was intrigued. it reminded me of a similar show i reviewed last year, Confessionals. i was expecting a scandalous comedy about family drama and lies – not a heartfelt and emotional exploration of the human condition told through a blend of music, poetry, and the spoken word.
emmett aster had a warm and gentle presence on stage. i was impressed by his storytelling skills and how he was able to tell stories others would find hard to share with so much empathy, love and kindness. the worst of us. is not the kind of show that makes fun of people for making bad choices, but instead asks the question how can we be better?
the worst of us. is an intimate, tender tapestry wrapped around three stories founded in the human experience; it gently asks the audience to face their own imperfections and their own humanness through a lens of love and forgiveness.
aster’s performance is a masterclass in empathy. his voice is tender yet assured as it draws the audience into each confession with remarkable clarity. the way in which aster communicates the raw emotion through his skilful blend of the spoken word, music, and poetry transformed what could have been simple storytelling into a collective experience of enlightenment, acceptance and healing.
of note was the audience’s response – it was profound! i witnessed real tears, hushed silence, and a palpable sense of connection as people absorbed the love and compassion that radiated from aster’s performance.
this intimate performance felt shared, performed with, rather than to its audience. it was told with delicate grace. the worst of us. isn’t just theatre — it’s a heartfelt invitation to forgive, to understand, and to hold one another a little closer.
emmett aster’s writing is once again clever and lyrical. his words ebb and flow between the three stories in a complex dance, washing over the audience like gentle waves. aster performs the piece himself, accompanying himself on the guitar. at the beginning of the performance, he explained that due to the nature of the venue (i.e. inside a library), he would be performing it unamplified, and apologised if we were unable to hear properly. he needn’t have had these misgivings. if the audience wants to know what a performer is saying, they will make themselves hear, and aster is well worth listening to.
audience testimonials
possibly the best show i’ve seen at the festival this year. this must have a huge life! it’s gentle yet gripping and deserves the standing ovation it got.
absolutely raw, fantastic. can’t stop talking about it.
beautiful storytelling. wonderful.
incredibly beautiful and thoughtfully crafted performance.
this was a lovely way to start the festival – emotionally complex and beautifully performed.
[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.
sublime, lyrical storytelling like i’ve never before seen.
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.