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.

A full-on video game experience, right in front of your eyes. The audience passes around a custom-built game controller, and every button press decides what happens next. Punch, kick, jump — 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 was a Sydney Fringe finalist twice — Best Comedy in 2023 and Best Interactive in 2024.

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.

• PUNCH — good for attacking enemies and interacting with objects
• KICK — extra reach when attacking. Also looks really cool.
• CHARGE — hold down to perform a Super Mega Fire Punch
• JUMP — evade or crush obstacles. May diminish in height the more tired Karate Man gets.
• GRAB/THROW — grab enemies and objects, and then throw 'em around why don't ya?
• BLOCK — stops most attacks and/or covers your face if you're shy
• SPECIAL — activate any collected special abilities, or summon members of your party
• PAUSE/CONT. — take a breather or ask for help
• MOVE — walk, look up, crouch down, crawl around, do squats, run into things, leave the venue

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 now UK-based. It made its UK debut at the Hen & Chickens Theatre, London, in June 2026, and played the Edinburgh Fringe that August. Nothing is on sale right now — more UK and European dates are being announced, so follow @karatemanshow on Instagram or check the tour page.

"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 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.