Starting off with a short film, McCarthy establishes his story and struggle. We meet his fellow 12 steppers and their over zealous facilitator, a man who McCarthy points out is overcoming his own addiction for facilitating groups.

McCarthy uses his caring, sharing, highly therapised tone of voice, which beautifully and quite naturally takes the piss. McCarthy also utilises the 12th step, called ‘sharing your story,’ as the show’s launching pad.ÔøΩÔøΩ He delivers his tales of his foibles with a sense of self-pitying pathos that you couldn’t help but laugh with, and at, which is the whole point.

Ending with a performance from a very lusty song and dance man (I’m not sure what the connection is between a self help seminar and a spot of cabaret.), he was outrageous and the audience loved it.

If there was a down side to this show, it was the laughing hyena at the back of the room. You know the type, the one with the really loud and annoying laugh.ÔøΩÔøΩ I just hope he wasn’t one of McCarthy’s friends. If that’s the case, Trent, you don’t need him.

Butler uses the audience in an entertaining way, choosing 15 participants to figure out what the 15 most offensive words are.ÔøΩÔøΩ Using rhyming cockney slang, stories from his life, history lessons and general observations, Butler gives us some very funny and not so subtle but clever clues as to what these words are, how they evolved, and why Aussies are so good at swearing. Being English, Butler applauds the antipodean way we bastardise profanity and language in general.

It is always interesting to find out the historical context of our favourite swear words, especially the most offensive of them all’three guesses as to what that is, people.ÔøΩÔøΩ This word, according to Butler, was once used as a name of a street where prostitutes hung out. I thought Butler was taking the piss until I did some research and found out that it’s actually true. Kudos to Mark Butler for an educational and entertaining look at the four letter word.

A warning: people who are really offended by the most offensive word in the world, brace yourself. He makes the audience sing it out loud!

Kicking off with an ode to our man Eddie, Butler smoothly weaves his way through tales of Collingwood’s lost finals campaigns, 1990, marriage breakdown and how his paternal teachings lead his daughter to switch teams, twice.

The last ode of the evening was a brilliant song about Pies players who’ve defected’namely Chris Tarrant. Clever set ups made during the initial stages paid off throughout, a mark of a good storyteller.

Based in the heart of Collingwood territory, Kieran Butler claims Collingwood ruined his life, again! is staged in the intimate back room of the Carringbush Hotel, the Pies spiritual home. With many moments of great humour, Butler performed to a packed, albeit very small, house. Although the audience was comprised of more Woodsmen and women, fans from other clubs appreciated the raconteur’s observations.

Not only should all Pies fans support Kieran Butler, but all football fans should pay at least one visit. And to those snoots who jump on the bandwagon at Grand Final time or turn their nose up at it throughout the season: see this show. You just might learn to appreciate what football is, does and means to a fan.