A therapy group for infertile men provides the framework for Damian Callinan’s autobiographical comedy. An ordinary, likeable Aussie bloke who’s been married and a care-giver to foster children, he knows he’s infertile and wants to understand his condition better – hence visits to hospitals and encounters with health professionals whose usefulness varies but who provide plenty of comic material.

Right from the start the audience gets involved, group swaying to the sound of Enya being supposed to dissolve our inhibitions and to help us share our thoughts and experiences. Damian hands out little plastic jars, and as his story for the group unfolds we’re invited to accompany him to a clinic where he’s expected to provide a sample.

Along the way we meet some delightful other characters: the bossy clinic nurse, the group leader anxious to define boundaries, the doctor with the freezing cold hands.

Callinan’s story, which he illustrates with some amusing and surprising props, is interesting, though probably not exceptional.  He has come to terms with his infertility and the prospect of always "firing blanks" with maturity and completely without self-pity.  The show, which lasts just over an hour, is funny and informative, though some of the anecdotes go on a bit too long and don’t always contribute a lot.

Spaznuts entertained and perhaps edified a sizeable audience in the Fortune’s Studio theatre last night, and will play until 15 August.
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The Fortune Theatre’s latest show steps away from convention with Damian Callinan’s ballsy comedy, Spaznuts. From the very first moments an all singing, all dancing initiation extravaganza puts the audience in an invigorated mood, only slightly negated by the ominous little plastic specimen cup they are now grasping. 

Spaznuts is the story of Callinan’s infertility. Set in his first group counseling session on the matter, Callinan is asked to share his story. He begins to careen through the last ten years of his life, detailing his anecdotal experiences of awkward dinner parties, uncompromising positions in many a doctor’s office, and sacred techniques of producing the contents for those cups. Captivating the audience at every second, this is definitely a laugh out loud production.

I now know more about Damian Callinan’s testicles than some of his doctors do. Callinan’s ‘spaznuts’ (as lovingly endowed by his ex) are the unassuming stars of the show. Size, shape, history, scars, it is all revealed; and somehow, it’s all very interesting. It’s not often that a middle aged man can get away with talking about his nether regions for over an hour, but Callinan does it with wit, pride, and an insightful array of testicular euphemisms.

Callinan’s performance strength lies in his improvised banter with the audience throughout. The intimate setting of the Fortune Theatre Studio compliments this style perfectly, ideal for the jesting conversations which are thrown back and forth between performer and audience. One such up close and personal experience involves the use of a cheese grater, a toilet plunger and Callinan’s underpants; a combination so baffling that I couldn’t explain further if I wanted to.

Callinan’s transformations into other members of the counseling group, and into interesting portrayals of his own confused sperm, showcase his skillful physicality and contribute to the success of this well paced solo performance.

Somewhere amongst the assembly of anecdotes, a story line does occur, serving as a justification to the madness. However, this is a piece in which the journey surely outweighs the destination. By finishing with a disclosing list of the many aspects of parenting that will now be amiss in his life, Callinan succeeds in delivering a sense of touching reality beneath the humour.

Callinan dives proudly into a typically taboo subject, providing an unusual night’s entertainment which will add a kick to your week, and an interesting point of conversation at the water cooler. Although Callinan proves he adapts well to any audience, large or small, he definitely deserves the greater crowds that should be flocking in. 

Here is a man truly putting his balls on the line so we can have a laugh, so head down and support this strictly limited season of Spaznuts, which unlike other things, Damian Callinan will surely reproduce night after night.
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