As an autistic arts professional with ADHD, I have never before had the fortune to attend a variety show (let alone any performance) that openly featured a cast of (majority) neurodivergent artists. To finally find myself in a neuro-inclusive space - with an affinity for comedy and loaded to the brim with entertainment - felt nourishing as hell.

The show content is quite adult in nature and will not be suitable every age or sensibility. It wasn’t a relaxed performance by any means, but I still felt like anyone in the audience could attend and exist as they are. Fair warning though: with observant neurodiverse comedians on the mic, none of our foibles or behaviours are off limits. If someone stims or exclaims loudly from the audience, you risk becoming fodder for an onstage jokester.

Props to producer/comedian Adam Schwarts for putting this show together and for building community across multiple prairie cities. Neurohilarity is Winnipeg-based, but they still manage to showcase local and guest artists while on tour. Their bill is a smattering of stand-up sets, comedy sketches (shout out to Sketchy Broads who were guesting) and several glorious burlesque acts that made us all blush and giggle. You might even spot a sexy Sonic the Hedgehog, if that’s your speed…

In a broader culture that regularly punches down on the disabled, it was refreshing to attend an uplifting comedy space where we could rib each other while still recognizing and respecting our shared humanity.