When Rob Carlton found himself in a three-person knife fight on a Salzburg backstreet at 18, the only weapon he had was a travel knife he had never used on anything tougher than cheese. That true moment of genuine peril opens his one-man show, and on 21 and 22 August 2026 it comes to a stage just down the road from the Northern Beaches classrooms where he grew up.
The Logie and AWGIE-winning actor, known for The White Lotus and Boy Swallows Universe, brings Virgin in a Knife Fight to Glen Street Theatre in Belrose for two nights only. The 60-minute show threads four of his own true stories through a lens of self-deprecation and sharp timing, from that knife fight through university mishaps to a local courtroom showdown and a poignant fatherhood moment.
“Exquisite storytelling, with humour and vulnerability, moments of deep reflections, a well of wisdom, kindness and compassion, poise and prose…and a chair,” actor and singer Rob Mills said after seeing the production.
Carlton attended Pittwater High School and played rugby for Narrabeen Tigers and cricket for Collaroy Plateau. He has performed the show more than 50 times across Australian Fringe festivals, collecting sold-out seasons and multiple awards, but describes the Glen Street dates as a homecoming. “I arrive back home,” Carlton said. The script includes an absurd courtroom tale set squarely on the Northern Beaches, grounding the humour and chaos in streets local audiences know.
The venue itself has been a community anchor since opening on 6 July 1985. Its 400-seat proscenium arch sits inside the Forest Community Centre on the corner of Glen Street and Blackbutts Road, owned by Northern Beaches Council. The theatre marked its 40th anniversary in 2025 with Mayor Sue Heins noting its value in delivering professional productions to residents who might otherwise travel into the CBD.
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Glen Street Theatre
A 400-seat proscenium arch auditorium in the Forest Community Centre at the corner of Glen Street and Blackbutts Road in Belrose. Opened 6 July 1985 and owned by Northern Beaches Council, it hosts professional theatre productions for the local community.
Northern Beaches Council
Local government authority responsible for the Northern Beaches region of Sydney, including ownership of Glen Street Theatre and promotion of local arts and cultural events through media releases and community programming.
The show runs 60 minutes with no interval and carries a warning for occasional coarse language, making it best suited to mature audiences. Carlton uses nothing but a chair and his own presence to swing from hilarious to heartfelt, a style that earned strong reviews during recent Fringe runs. Glam Adelaide gave it 6 out of 5 stars for its “power and magic that magnetises,” while The Age awarded 4 stars. Audience members at the Adelaide Fringe described being kept “enthralled the whole way through” by the humour, twists, and deeply moving moments.
If you are a Northern Beaches local looking for professional theatre without the drive to the city, this two-night run offers exceptional value. Youth tickets for patrons aged 25 and under are priced at $25, while standard tickets range from $35 for members to $45 for non-members. Bookings can be made at glenstreet.com.au or by calling 02 9470 5913.
Bus routes stop at Glen Street opposite Glenrose Village Shopping Centre, a one-minute walk from the theatre. On-site parking is available, with limited accessible spaces at the front; extra parking is located behind the theatre or via the Glenrose Village entry. Arrive early to grab a coffee or pre-show meal at the centre directly across the road.
Carlton’s stories are built from chaos turned into comedy and confession into connection. The knife fight that began with a cheese knife now lands just around the corner from Pittwater High, bringing the tales home.