El Diablo at The Butterfly Club

The multi-award-winning comedy El Diablo hits Melbourne’s Butterfly Club, after touring across the state performing at Victorian Drama League One Act Play Festivals. The hilarious show, which is part satire, part observational comedy with a twist of social commentary, won multiple Best Production, Ensemble and Acting Awards.

Set in a high-class restaurant, the comedy centres on an ordinary couple experiencing fine dining for the first time. “This is fish out of water, clash of cultures comedy, sending up the whole pretentious foodie thing, and shining a light on just how ridiculous gourmet dining actually is” says writer/director Phillip A Mayer. “It’s so much fun throwing normal people into this alien world where pompous, overblown and self-important people look down on them, as if they don’t belong. It’s something everyone can relate to, feeling excluded and judged”.

When an average couple finally get a booking at the ritzy, popular five-star El Diablo restaurant, they look forward to hobnobbing with celebrities and wealthy social elites, but their preconceptions are soon shattered, as their evening turns pear-shaped upon the arrival of so-called upper-crust couple Ian and Siobhan. “This is a real square peg in a round hole situation, where normal average people meet pretentious entitlement, and the ensuing craziness is so much fun”.

The script was inspired by an article during Covid lockdowns, where people were complaining about not being able to go to expensive restaurants. “The entitlement of some people, with zero consideration for others who were doing it hard, suffering without much support, was amazing, so we thought we’d explore that sense of privilege. Its observational comedy with a big helping of farce. We’ve had audiences in stitches watching the train wreck unfold, and the awards are always nice”.

“There’s a bit of Fawlty Towers, Sex in the City and The Castle too. We’re excited to get back to Melbourne with a great fun show. It’s been difficult for live theatre over the last two years, and we hope people come out for a great night of laughs”.

El Diablo is an engaging story with outrageous characters. “It’s what everyone needs now, to get them back to live performance, something fun with some great messages”. The company have had hit Melbourne Comedy Festival shows including Couples! and Table 17, and the award-winning Bogan Shakespeare. “The ensemble is brilliant. They’ve built a highly entertaining piece of relatable comedy, and it’s a treat for them to play these people and it’s a treat for audiences”.

El Diablo is showing at The Butterfly Club, 5 Carson Place (off Little Collins St in the CBD) from November 2-5, 2022. Tickets are available online at thebutterflyclub.com