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Joana Simmons Brings SPIRITUAL GANGSTER to The Butterfly Club

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Joana Simmons Brings SPIRITUAL GANGSTER to The Butterfly Club ImageIt's almost the end of this year of the dog. Yoga is in the mainstream, mindfulness has run rampant in the workplace and people talk about their higher selves in the same breath as their weekend. It is a time when "No religion' is the top pick on the recent census, but people are flocking to ashrams and silent retreats. At such a confusing time, the world needs a saviour, a sinner, a Spiritual Gangster to unpack it all. Joana Simmons is ready to provide just that in her brand new comedy cabaret.

Dusting off the ashes of her Saturn return, Joana Simmons (Australia's Got Talent, Confessions of an Aerobics Instructor) is bringing her brand new hour of comedy-gold to Melbourne audiences. It is a breakdance breakdown of spirituality with original beats, physical comedy and whimsical witticisms.


Called to arms by her spirit-guide animal Shaman, "Lentilsoup Dogg," Om-Girl (played by Simmons) is sent on an existential expedition to find out what it all means. With all original songs such as "Bogan Yoga," "Doubtful Yuppies" and high energy dance "Eat, Sleep, Pray, Repeat" this is the perfect show for anyone who takes themselves a little too seriously (or indeed their friends, who have chronic ocular pain from rolling their eyes frequently).

Joana Simmons was raised Catholic at an Anglican school, and is now a yoga teacher who practices transcendental meditation and does things which her grandmother would describe as "very unchristian." Yet, the prospect of losing someone really close to her to cancer has her hoping and praying she is going to see them in heaven. This show is her answer how to navigate this.

Joana sold out The Butterfly Club with her cardio-comedy cabaret Confessions of An Aerobics Instructor and has performed internationally at a range of prestigious arts festivals under her pseudonym Banana Jolie. Previous credits include Splendour in the Grass, Melbourne International Comedy Festival, New Zealand Fringe Festival, Melbourne Fringe Festival, The Village Festival, Falls Festival and Rainbow Serpent. She was a semi-finalist with "Miss Friby (and the Fribbles)" on Australia's Got Talent.

Spiritual Gangster opens on the 28th of November and runs for 5 performances. Tickets extremely limited, so booking ahead is recommended.

Dates: 28th November - 1st of December
Time: 7pm
Cost: $27-34
Venue: The Butterfly Club, 5 Carson Place, Melbourne
Tickets: thebutterflyclub.com

Theater Fans' Choice Awards
2026 Theater Fans' Choice Awards - Live Stats
Best Featured Performer in a Musical - Top 3
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19.2% of votes
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