top of page
athletics coaching

Theatre Review, Happy Endings Comedy Club

Writer's picture: Deb CarrDeb Carr

Happy Endings Comedy Club

154 Brougham St, Potts Point NSW 2011

Reviewed on 3 August 2019

Reviewed by Ron Lee, CSP


If you were told of an establishment called Happy Endings, and it’s located in Kings Cross, what’s the first thing that comes to mind?


The name was devised by businessman Mark David and the late comedian, Haskel Daniel, for a comedy club that operates on Friday and Saturday nights. On my first visit to Happy Endings a few years ago, a skinny young man from Newcastle walked onto the stage. He had long, lank hair, facial piercings, tattoos and wore an old t-shirt and ragged jeans. His deadpan opening line was, “I suppose most of you have come to some conclusions about my relationship with recreational drugs”.


Sydney theatre reviews

This time the MC was Khaled Khalafalla, a young Egyptian Muslim who quickly warmed up the audience with his endearing, slightly lower status persona and plays on the fact that some “limited” Australians think that all Muslim men are terrorists. It was an expectant, intimate group of spectators in attendance, but it takes a great deal of skill to get everyone on board in such a short period of time.


Anthony Locascio, a young Italian/Greek/Australian comic, packed a lot in his five minutes talking about his mixed cultures.

Another five-minute performer was Jacqueline Mifsud who strung together a series of puns, a.k.a. “groaners” related to mathematics. Khalafalla, aware of the dramatic drop in energy in the room, returned to the stage and rather than immediately bringing out the next comedian, performed more of his material to raise the level before introducing John Cruckshank whose laconic, self effacing humour showed us why he continues to be in high demand on the comedy circuit.


Sydney comedy reviews

Taking us to the break was Gerard McGowan who shared the story of an internet hacker that recorded him while he was masturbating.


The headliner was veteran comedian Alan Glover who has been performing for more than thirty years, starting his career when The Comedy Store was the only game in town. In contrast, Glover was more laid back than the younger comics, and it was a delight to see him roll out the “Vertical Belt” and “Chainsaw” routines that I first saw in 1986.


Sydney Chic theatre reviews

Happy Endings, with a seating capacity of just 65, provides a truly intimate comedy experience that has a unique atmosphere largely provided by the retro furniture and music at the entrance. It was almost like being in someone’s living room and the performer was having a chat. I’ll be back sooner rather than later.

crystal jewellery handmade
Bohemian clothing au
bottom of page