Dane Simpson: 100% Hits opens with the easy charm of a bloke who looks genuinely pleased you came along. A proud First Nations Australian comedian, Simpson brings his Wiradjuri heritage to the stage, weaving cultural insight and lived experience through his material. He’s smiley, relaxed, disarmingly warm and then, before you’re quite ready, he takes you somewhere much more personal.

At its core, this show is a reflection on Simpson’s last decade in comedy, from his very first gig to the slow, stubborn grind of figuring out who he is as a performer. The laughs come thick and fast, but they’re built on stories rather than punchline gymnastics. Simpson trusts the room, trusts silence, and lets moments land in their own time.

One of the show’s standout threads is his dad, a figure who comes across as a real character, equal parts funny and deeply human. Simpson doesn’t flatten this relationship for easy laughs. Instead, he leans into the complexity, sharing stories that feel lived-in and honest, often hilarious, and occasionally disarming in their openness. It’s comedy that risks something, made richer by Simpson’s willingness to share the realities of growing up First Nations in regional Australia.

What makes 100% Hits work so well is the balance. The show never collapses under its own sincerity, nor does it hide behind jokes when things get close to the bone. Simpson’s down-to-earth delivery keeps everything grounded, turning personal history, including his connection to Country and community into shared experience without ever feeling self-indulgent.

There’s an edge here, not in shock value, but in vulnerability. By the end, it’s clear you haven’t just watched a stand-up set. You’ve spent time with a comedian who knows exactly where he’s come from, embraces his First Nations identity, and isn’t afraid to bring the audience along with him.

Dane Simpson continues until 8 March at Le Cascadeur at The Garden of Unearthly Delights