A rare chance to see sharp new material take shape in real time.

Akmal returns to Perth with Trial and Error, a work-in-progress night that promises exactly what it says on the box: new material, tested live. There is no glossy bow tied around it, no grand arc engineered for maximum applause. Instead, this is a front-row seat to the mechanics of comedy - instinct, rhythm and nerve.

The set feels deliberately loose. Lines are tossed out, reshaped, sometimes extended, sometimes swiftly abandoned. Akmal watches the room closely, adjusting tone and timing with impressive agility. When two latecomers slip into conspicuously empty front-row seats, the moment is folded seamlessly into the act. Audience interaction becomes the highlight - playful, never punishing.

The laughter is steady and generous. Not the explosive, breathless kind that builds to a thunderous crescendo, but a consistent ripple of amusement that rarely drops. Stories tumble one after another - reflections on scammers, Reiki, religion, heritage, childhood mischief in Punchbowl - each delivered with self-deprecating charm. It occasionally feels like a collection of strong parts rather than a tightly threaded whole, yet that fragmentation is part of the experiment.

There are moments where references to previous crowd reactions are revisited a little too often, but even that speaks to the evolving nature of the material. This is a rehearsal in plain sight.

For those wanting a polished, fully structured tour de force, this may feel intentionally unfinished. For everyone else, it is excellent value: an intimate, engaging and very funny evening with one of Australia’s most assured comedic voices, building his next show before your eyes.