What's It All About?

For those who haven’t yet had the privilege of seeing the show, Clifford describes it as "a first-hand insight into the life of a white, middle-class, gay teenager, with pretty much zero systematically oppressive obstacles to overcome, in suburban Perth.” 

While that setup might seem almost anti-dramatic, it’s exactly what makes the show work. 

“Who is Tomas Clifford anyway? I barely want to hear about that guy, and I am him—what makes him so special? The answer is: nothing. He’s not special. What he is, is a dumbass. And that’s where the fun begins.”

The show is a whirlwind of songs and stories where Clifford is his own greatest enemy—embarrassing, erratic, dramatic, hopeful, and hopeless.

“It’s nice that people saw themselves in that, or at the very least, it made them feel better about their own love life. But yes, how would I describe the experience? Fun! It’s just a lot of fun!! Bring back fun!!”

From Stood Up to Standing Os

For Clifford, each show felt distinct in its own way, allowing him to play with the energy in the room - which contributes to his love for cabaret. It seems closing night of Tomas Clifford Got Stood Up will stick with him for lifetimes to come.

"It was the largest audience we had for our entire run, and you could tell that they were ready to have a good time. I was ready too," he says

"It was just a beautiful cocktail of things falling into place, and I could fully relax and have fun on stage. In fact, I was so relaxed that at one point in the show I burped in the middle of a note. And continued to sustain the note beyond the burp. Currently waiting for my call from Broadway xx"

The show’s evolution took Clifford by surprise. Initially conceived as a humorous take on being left alone at a bar, it became something much deeper. 

“The show kind of told me what it wanted to be the more I kept writing it,” he explains. “Turns out, the show that started off in a place of anger and disbelief about being left at a bar alone turned into a show about healing my relationship with myself. That caught me by surprise, I guess. In a good way.

Despite the deeply personal nature of the show, Clifford never hesitated in sharing his experiences. 

“Because the show comments on and critiques a previous version of myself—a version I have since grown from—it never felt too personal putting all that out in the open. It’ll be interesting in another five years' time what 25-year-old Tomas has to say about me today. All good things, I hope.”

One of the most gratifying aspects of the show for Clifford was seeing just how broadly audiences connected with it.

“A wide variety of people were receptive to the show and its themes and messages—which was really lovely to see, especially since the content is so personal to my own journey,” he reflects.

“Hearing that a 40-year-old straight man and a 20-something non-binary person could relate to the same content—nevertheless content that I wrote—was pretty surreal.”

Surviving & Thriving

For those looking to take on FRINGE WORLD, this Martin Sims' recipient ultimate survival tip is simple: 

Sweat. Towels.

“Mainly speaking as a performer running amuck onstage, but also, looking out into the audience, I could see a lot of wet faces. And they weren’t tears. I’m simply not that saddening.”

While FRINGE WORLD 2025 may be over, Clifford isn’t slowing down. Tomas Clifford Got Stood Up will return for a one-night-only encore performance on May 4 at The Rechabite, and he hints that a tour may be on the horizon.

“Keep your eyes peeled in other parts of Australia for a Tomas Clifford Got Stood Up tour within the next year… could be fun, yeah?”

Fun indeed. And if there’s one thing Tomas Clifford has made clear, it’s that fun is sooo back.