Ridiculous Human Being

Big Fork Theatre feels like the ideal setting for a show like Ridiculous Human Being. Known for its nurturing approach to improvisation, sketch, and stand-up, the venue strikes that perfect balance between professional and relaxed—exactly the kind of space where comedy can breathe and connection with the audience can flourish.

It’s a Sunday evening when Stuart Foreman takes the stage. He brings a slightly nervous energy, but rather than detract from the performance, it adds a certain immediacy to the room. Foreman’s vulnerability plays into his strengths as a storyteller—he’s not trying to be too slick, or over the top, wild and crazy. Instead, he invites the audience into his world with a warm, candid honesty that becomes increasingly compelling as the show unfolds.

Deeply personal and charmingly funny, Ridiculous Human Being is a reflection on fatherhood, ADHD, and the absurd experience of trying to navigate adulthood without a roadmap. Stuart’s stories are full of his ridiculous choices, chaotic moments, and self-deprecating humour, but there’s always an underlying tenderness and positivity. The laughs come easily—no small feat in a smaller venue—and once the audience is warmed up, there’s a steady stream of genuine laughs all the way through.

What elevates this show beyond a straightforward stand-up set is its capacity to offer food for thought amidst the fun. Stuart speaks candidly about receiving a neurodivergence diagnosis later in life, touching on the confusion, changes, and clarity that can come with it. These moments never feel heavy or forced—instead, they flow naturally from the humour, giving the set a satisfying emotional rhythm.

It’s a feel-good hour of comedy that doesn’t shy away from chaos, but somehow finds clarity within it. Stuart Foreman may describe himself as a ridiculous human being, but in this show, his ridiculousness is refreshingly real, joyfully relatable, and very entertaining.

Kitty Goodall

Photography by Kris Anderson