It’s the final week of Fringe – here’s what you shouldn’t miss

This is Fringe at its purest – and this show comes with more content warnings than a film by Larry Clark. SLUGS was nominated for Best Comedy Show at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe last year, and rightly so. It’s delirious mayhem from Canadian artists S.E. Grummett and Sam Kruger.

How often do you see the genitalia (some accompanied with googly eyes) of both performers, and see them threatening an audience member at gun-point, then offering another a very raunchy sex service that can’t be printed in these pages? Free candy is also extended to the crowd, so it’s not all R18+ (but it is 99 per cent of the time). There’s deliberately poorly performed puppetry (shout-out to a terribly voiced Joni Mitchell), and the two cosplaying as a horse. Essentially, it’s Play School on crack with a decent dollop of existential doom and dread woven in.

If you’re a fan of comedic chaos with the capability of warping your mind, then I couldn’t recommend it more highly. If you prefer your comedy more middle of the road and TV friendly, then stay far, far away. SLUGS is a paradox of a show. It’s advertised as being about “nothing, nothing, nothing, nothing, nothing, nothing, nothing, nothing” but is somehow about everything. It’s breathtakingly stupid but ingeniously clever. I never want to see it again, but I also want to book again for tomorrow night. ★★★★★ Reviewed by Tyson Wray

CABARET Mara Knezevic | Kauboj The Motley Bauhaus – Cabaret Stage, until October 11

In the hands of a master storyteller such as singer-songwriter Mara Knezevic, a simple tale about a Croatian man’s life and ambition becomes an enthralling and touching adventure. Two years after first staging Kauboj at Sydney Fringe Festival, the classically trained artist has brought her show to Melbourne.

We hear about a chef-slash-cowboy named Jakov, who lives in the fictional Dalmatian town of Božje Selo. It’s a migrant story of hope and disillusionment. Through spoken word and song, Jakov’s world – brimming with purpose, love, fear and failure – is deftly and vividly created. Electric guitarist Daniel Potaczala strums along. Nostalgia and hints of humour are seamlessly woven in.

Knezevic’s soulful, evocative vocals tackle a mix of traditional folk, covers and originals. Tender original tunes Till I See You Again and Cecilia’s Lullaby enchant, while we’re asked to sing along to an upbeat Kauboj Café and Grill . Professionalism reigns as stage lights flicker and falter and the sound plays up for a few moments. It’s a delightful hour that passes quickly. ★★★★★ Reviewed by Donna Demaio

THEATRE In Bed With My Brother | Philosophy of the World Meat Market, until October 3

Affectionately known as the best worst band ever, The Shaggs were a trio of young sisters from Exeter, New Hampshire, whose astonishingly inept songs were later reappraised as genius by the likes of Kurt Cobain and Frank Zappa.

That’s the official story, at least.