What is Karate Man?
Karate Man is a live-action comedy show that the audience plays like a video game — with an actual video game controller.
It's a real, in-person comedy show performed in a real theatre, with real actors. But the script branches. The audience holds a custom-built game controller, and every button press decides what happens next. Punch, kick, jump, grab, block — whatever you press, Karate Man has to do.
It's been called "the single greatest audience-controlled live stage show" (Tess D), "anarchically funny" (Toasting Aussie Theatre), and "side-splittingly hilarious" (Lilithia Reviews). It won Best Interactive at the Adelaide Fringe 2025 and has been a finalist at the Sydney Fringe multiple times.
How does the controller actually work?
A bespoke piece of software runs the show like a real video game engine. Every button press on the controller triggers a sound cue — hit green, hear "PUNCH" — which the cast picks up on instantly and performs in real time.
There are eight inputs:
- Green / Punch — good for attacking enemies and interacting with objects
- Red / Kick — extra reach. Also looks really cool.
- Blue / Charge — hold down for a Super Mega Fire Punch
- Yellow / Jump — evade attacks or crush obstacles
- L / Grab — grab enemies and objects and throw them around
- R / Block — stop incoming attacks (or hide if you're shy)
- Special — activate collected abilities or summon party members
- + / Move — walk, look up, crouch down
What's the story?
Our story begins in 198X. Karate Man has defeated the nefarious Ross Roundkick, and peace is restored to Karatetown. Many years pass... it is now 20XX. And our hero must face his greatest challenge yet: ordinary life.
You command Karate Man through an expansive branching adventure, as he battles his inner demons, his outer enemies, and the looming threat of [ DIVORCE ]. Every decision you and the rest of the audience make changes which scenes you see, which characters appear, and how the show ends.
Where can I see it?
Karate Man is performing in the UK in 2026 at the Hen & Chickens Theatre, Islington, London from 22–24 June 2026. More UK and European tour dates are being announced through 2026 — follow @karatemanshow on Instagram for the latest.
"Karate Man is holy SHIT good. You'll laugh constantly, you'll awww, you'll gasp, you'll yell things." — Tess D, Sydney Comedy Festival 2024
Who makes it?
Karate Man is created by Bruno Dubosarsky and Daniel Scarratt under the banner of BEAK Comedy. It was originally devised in Sydney, Australia and has played to sold-out audiences across the Adelaide Fringe, Sydney Fringe, and Sydney Comedy Festival before crossing to the UK.