Comedian Marty Sheargold is returning with his brand-new stand-up show, 'The Red Card Tour'.
This wasn't part of the plan – Marty's been trying to embrace the concept of early retirement. . . But the itch to get back into the hot spotlight was too intense to ignore. That, and he's bored out of his mind.
This is your chance to see a comic who has dominated on our screens, through our radios, and of course, on stages across Australia. He'll cover moments and memories from his life in a nostalgic hour that also takes aim at everything from modern madness, to middle-age misfires.
As Marty takes to stages around the country, we catch up with him to hear all about 'The Red Card Tour', how a show like this begins, life on the road and more.
First of all, tell us a bit about the name of your show. . . ‘The Red Card Tour’.
It pretty much sums up my last 12 months. I was shown a red card for joking about soccer, this tour is my return to the field, minus the soccer jokes!
You joke about flirting with early retirement. . . What has inspired you to get yourself back on to the stage?
I love working live, I love the immediacy and the energy. I love show days and selfishly the enjoyment I get from the work and the joy I feel when I hear people having fun.
What would you say is giving you your best comedy material these days?
My comedy feels really nostalgic at the moment. It’s a look back at how innocent and simple life used to be. I miss that.
And what are you most looking forward to about presenting this show in particular to audiences?
The chance to let people have a break from their own lives, to laugh and put on hold all the life admin waiting for them when they leave the theatre.
How does a show like ‘Red Card’ usually begin for you? How do you start to formulate ideas into jokes?
This show came out of looking at my life now that I’m in my fifties. How I’ve ended up the comic I am, and what’s shaped me along the way, then I added some fart gags.
What is it about live touring, above all of your other accomplishments, that really hits differently?
I love touring, I love seeing the country. I love hotels and airports it makes me feel like I have a purpose, arrive, make people laugh, depart. It’s fun.
And after all these years on the road, what’s one thing about touring Australia that still surprises you (for better or worse)?
How happy people are that you’re visiting their town. How people want to have a laugh, how friendly we are and that it’s still impossible to get a meal in the country after 9pm.
Do you have a pre-show ritual, or anything you like to do before each show that brings you comfort and relaxes you?
I always wear blue underpants on stage. It started with my first gig in '93 – I’ve just always done it. Now it’s become a thing I’m scared not to do!
For someone seeing you live for the first time ever – what kind of Marty Sheargold will they be getting in ‘The Red Card Tour’?
A man enjoying life without HR, surely you can’t get cancelled twice.
Marty Sheargold Australia 2026 Tour Dates
19-20 February – Geelong Arts Centre
27 February – The Art House (Wyong)
28 February – Civic Theatre (Newcastle)
5 March – Mandurah Performing Arts Centre
6 March – Regal Theatre (Perth)
13 March – Events Centre Caloundra
14 March – The J (Noosa)
28 March – Palais Theatre (Melbourne)
11 April – Theatre Royal (Hobart)
1 May – Gippsland Performing Arts Centre (Traralgon)
2 May – Her Majesty's Ballarat
7-8 May – Brisbane Powerhouse
9 May – HOTA Gold Coast
15 May – The Pavilion Performing Arts Centre (Sutherland)
15 May – Enmore Theatre (Sydney)
16 May – The Concourse Chatswood (Sydney)
23 May – Anita's Theatre (Thirroul)
20 June – Brisbane Powerhouse
3 July – Adelaide Festival Centre
