Four true stories: a monkey bite; a long bus trip; an arrest; and a mugging.

I Got Bit By A Monkey Once is an award-winning, one-man comedic storytelling show that takes audiences on a wild journey through four unforgettable, true-life tales. With humor and charm, Matt recounts his unlikely encounters and misadventures from around the world. From the literal bite of a mischievous monkey to an outlandish bus journey, an unexpected arrest, and a nerve-wracking mugging, each story brims with suspense, hilarity, and insight into the unpredictable nature of life.

This show blends laugh-out-loud moments with poignant reflections on the human spirit, and the resilience required when things don’t go as planned. Through dynamic storytelling, and stand up comedy the performer paints vivid scenes that immerse audiences in the chaos, tension, and absurdity of these experiences.

Matt Harvey is an award-winning comedian and storyteller, and a writer from Australia. With a touring history that spans Australia, New Zealand, The US, UK, and EU. Matt's shows have earned rave reviews from both critics and audiences alike. Whether you're in the mood for a good chuckle or an engaging narrative, Matt Harvey is the performer for you!

August 18, 2025    One4Review

Melbourne’s Matt Harvey can spin a yarn as if he’s knitting comedy socks—warm, cosy, and just a touch frayed at the edges. He’s not a punchline machine; he’s a storyteller, and his stories come layered with charm, unease, and the kind of hindsight that makes you shake your head and laugh at the absurdity of it all.
The concept is simple: the choices we make in bad situations, and how those choices almost inevitably make things worse. It all begins with a monkey bite in Bali—yes, really—and spirals into a tale that sits somewhere between travelogue and fever dream. The casual apathy of those around him is jaw-dropping, and Harvey recounts it with the weary disbelief of a man still not quite sure how he survived. At times you feel like you’re watching Outbreak on fast forward, only with more mosquitoes and fewer hazmat suits. If COVID 2.0 ever rolls around, don’t be surprised if Harvey ends up patient zero.
From there, he threads together a paranoia-soaked bus trip, an arrest that seemed both inevitable and entirely avoidable, and a mugging that—through sheer comic detail—almost tips into slapstick. Each misadventure is painted vividly; Harvey is less interested in one-liners than in drawing you into the scene, and he does so with aplomb.
He’s delightful company, too. There’s something endearingly ramshackle about his delivery—like an old friend who’s had one too many but is telling their best story of the night. He paints the picture well, and his charm papers over the occasional sag in pacing. The show ends before you’re quite ready to leave, which is both a compliment and a reminder that a bit more tightening could elevate the hour.
Harvey is a talent, no doubt about it. This is a good set—fun, warm, and engaging—and well worth seeking out. Click Here For Review