What is Karate Man?
A nostalgic choose-your-own-adventure comedy where the audience plays the show like an actual video game.
Audience members are in total control of the show thanks to an actual video game controller. Every button press triggers a sound cue (e.g “PUNCH”) which makes the on-stage Karate Man actor do exactly that (e.g PUNCH).
Players choose where he goes, who he meets and what he’ll PUNCH, KICK or EXTRACT HEART from next. With Karate Man’s custom-made tech system, the options are endless.
Winner, Best Interactive, Adelaide Fringe 2025 · Finalist, Best Interactive, Sydney Fringe 2024 · Finalist, Best Comedy, Sydney Fringe 2023
The trailer
How does the controller work?
A bespoke mix of software runs the whole show like an actual video game. Every button press on the controller triggers a sound cue (hit green, hear “PUNCH”) which commands Karate Man to reflexively perform each move.
What’s the story?
Many years have passed since Karate Man defeated Ross Roundkick and saved Karatetown. Now, our hero must face his greatest foe yet: domestic life.
Which chore will he do? What job will he apply for? He saved Karatetown, but can he save… his marriage?
Take control of Karate Man through an expansive adventure, as he battles his inner demons, his outer enemies, and the looming threat of divorce. Every decision the audience makes changes which scenes you see, which characters appear, and how the show ends.
“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
Where can I see it?
Next up: two nights at Pleasance London, 7:40pm on Monday 16 and Tuesday 17 November 2026. Karate Man is now UK-based. It made its UK debut at the Hen & Chickens Theatre, London, in June 2026, and played the Edinburgh Fringe that August.
Karate Man is now UK-based. It made its UK debut at the Hen & Chickens Theatre, London, in June 2026, played the Edinburgh Fringe that August and Pleasance London in November.
More UK and European dates are being announced. Follow @karatemanshow on Instagram or check the tour page.
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 played to sold-out audiences across the Adelaide Fringe, Sydney Fringe and Sydney Comedy Festival before crossing to the UK. The show is now UK-based, directed by Bruno Dubosarsky and Jacob Henegan.