CANCER AND CARTWHEELS Brings Hilarious Hope to Adelaide Fringe
At first glance, a comedy about cancer might sound irreverent—perhaps even uncomfortable. Yet if anyone can navigate that delicate line between laughter and empathy, it’s Dr Jo Prendergast. She isn’t just a performer; she’s an award-winning comedian, an experienced medical doctor, and a published mental health author. In other words, she brings the best of all possible worlds to the stage: clinical understanding, comedic timing, and a personal stake in shedding light on life’s toughest trials.
Jo’s story is both sobering and inspiring. She was diagnosed with breast cancer and underwent rigorous treatment, all the while grappling with the complexities of ageing and menopause. Instead of sinking under the sheer weight of it all, she channelled her ordeal into a full-blown comedy creation, replete with stand-up segments, sketches, songs, and video clips. The result is CANCER AND CARTWHEELS, a show bursting with authenticity and wit. During her recent tour in New Zealand, audiences laughed and cried in equal measure—a testament to Jo’s singular ability to make you see the lighter side of even the darkest tunnel.
Although stand-up is a massive component, the show’s real hook lies in its variety. It blends comedic vignettes with heartfelt confessions, comedic songs with downright goofy physical gags, all while weaving in crucial health information. One moment you’re roaring with laughter at the bizarre realities of hospital gowns, and the next you’re pondering your own approach to adversity. It’s little wonder that Jo is both a psychiatrist and an accomplished improviser; her comedic skill is underpinned by genuine empathy, shaped by years of helping others through mental and physical struggles.
Adding heft to the production is Jo’s support for Breast Cancer Network Australia (BCNA). Throughout her performances, Jo raises funds and awareness for people living with breast cancer, even inviting those directly impacted to attend her opening nights for free in exchange for a donation. This synergy between performance and advocacy ensures that the show resonates well beyond the theatre’s walls, impacting the real lives of people who might find solace (and laughs) in Jo’s remarkable perspective. According to Vicki Durston of BCNA, Jo’s comedic approach to awareness is as impactful as it is unique—a reminder that laughter can be a form of self-care, not merely a diversion.
The Psychology Of Laughter And Healing
Part of what makes CANCER AND CARTWHEELS so compelling is the scientific backbone behind it. Laughter’s positive effect on mental health has long been documented—endorphin release, stress reduction, and an overall sense of community bonding are just a few of the perks. Jo, who trained as a psychiatrist in both New Zealand and Australia, offers an extraordinary vantage point on why comedic relief can be so therapeutic, especially when dealing with a life-altering diagnosis. As she’s quick to point out, humour can dismantle fears and stigmas, allowing patients to reclaim a sense of agency amid the chaos of medical treatments.
What many might not realise is that Jo herself started stand-up comedy relatively late—at the age of 48 in 2017—proving that you can seize the stage at any point in life. She promptly garnered accolades, with a Breakthrough Comedian nomination at the NZ Comedy Guild Awards in 2020 and a long-listing for the prestigious Billy T Award in 2023. Her debut comedy show, JO GHASTLY: THE COOL MUM, scored rave reviews at the Adelaide Fringe in 2023 and sold out entire seasons at the New Zealand International Comedy Festival. Now, CANCER AND CARTWHEELS continues that trajectory, mixing personal truths with comedic daring.
What also intrigues me is the extent of Jo’s creative output. Beyond stand-up, she’s an actor, improviser, and film producer. Her experience behind the camera, along with her medical insight, ensures that her comedic style goes beyond mere one-liners. There’s a structural integrity to her show—a carefully orchestrated narrative, peppered with comedic payoffs, that leaves you genuinely enlightened. Little wonder that her teenage mental health book for parents, When Life Sucks, has become a go-to resource in both New Zealand and Australia. When Jo steps onto the stage to discuss resilience, she isn’t just riffing on personal anecdotes; she’s applying a robust understanding of how the human mind navigates fear, sorrow, and joy.
The Excitement Of Fringe And Beyond
Adelaide Fringe has long been a fertile ground for theatre-lovers with a taste for the offbeat and the audacious. Running from 11 to 15 March at The Monocle at The Howling Owl, Jo’s new show arrives at a festival famous for championing boundary-pushers. Ticket prices start at an accessible $18, ensuring a broad spectrum of curious theatregoers—cancer survivors, comedy fans, families, and even the medically squeamish—can witness Jo’s comedic cartwheels in action.
But that’s not all. After Adelaide, Jo will take her show on an Australian tour, gracing the stages of the Melbourne Comedy Festival, Sydney Comedy Festival, and Brisbane Comedy Festival, before returning to the New Zealand International Comedy Festival. Each stop represents another chance to galvanise audiences, delivering a heady dose of comedic therapy wrapped in the universal truths of adversity. For those who missed her first foray in Adelaide, here’s your chance to catch lightning in a bottle.
Between the comedic sketches, stand-up segments, and the occasional cameo from video clips that highlight the less glamorous side of oncology wards, CANCER AND CARTWHEELS stands out as a bracing testament to the human spirit. But perhaps what makes it truly special is its capacity to speak to everyone—whether or not you’ve personally faced a cancer diagnosis. After all, the show’s underlying themes of resilience, self-awareness, and the power of a good laugh apply universally, especially when life’s curve balls start flying in your direction.
We often talk about theatre as escapism—a place to forget the real world for a couple of hours. Yet sometimes, the most meaningful productions are those that transform harsh realities into shared catharsis. CANCER AND CARTWHEELS accomplishes precisely that, using wit and wisdom to shine a light on the unthinkable. It’s a reminder that while pain can feel isolating, humour reaffirms our connection to others—and to life’s unstoppable drive to continue, come what may.
If you’re in Adelaide this March, consider dropping by The Howling Owl for an hour of comedic therapy that might just leave you breathless with laughter and brimming with hope. After all, if there’s any show that can coax a cheeky grin from the jaws of fear, it’s CANCER AND CARTWHEELS. Prepare to be entertained, encouraged, and possibly even inspired to attempt your own cartwheel—metaphorical or otherwise—when the going gets tough. Because if Jo’s journey proves anything, it’s that sometimes the best way to stare down a crisis is to toss caution to the wind, kick your legs into the air, and find the humour that defies all expectation.
Tickets Available HERE
