Suppose you were a comedy punter drifting around Melbourne’s CBD before sunset. Those feeling like some largely non-controversial, non-political stand-up will likely approve of the MICF show by Englishman Ian Smith. This polished show’s title might suggest pessimism, but there’s little of that in a largely sunny hour of regular laughs.
If you’d seen the 2026 MICF Gala, you’ll surely recall Smith’s story on a beer-garden misadventure. That gives a pretty good idea of Smith’s ability to tell a tale where an unusual setup escalates into a surprising conclusion.
Foot Spa Half Empty was nominated for “Best Comedy Show” at the 2025 Edinburgh Comedy Awards. This seems justified when you observe Smith’s fluent delivery and high gag rate. He did especially well in this venue, where a persistent, sickly scent (maybe drifting through the room’s air vents?) gave me nausea and my guest a headache before too long.
But as Smith got through his whole Edinburgh season with only one “medical walkout”, we thought we should tough it out. (And we were rewarded for doing so.) Still, we hope that four weeks of exposure to hotel/punter chemicals will not adversely affect Smith’s health, or his sperm count.
I mention that as it’s at the centre of the show’s most consistent thread, starting when Smith and his girlfriend wondered if their continuing failure to conceive a child had a medical reason. Those easily offended might baulk at Smith’s directness here. Other (fairly unrelated) bits pertained to his upbringing in the north of England (including a bizarre food story), and on feeling old at 37.
There were also nice running gags on the drawbacks of having a common name, and on how you need to be careful about who writes your Wikipedia page. Call-backs were well placed, showing how Smith has thought about the craft.
He also modestly tinkered with the conventional stand-up format by including a flash-forward sequence. This, like pretty much everything else attempted, elicited a good volume of laughter from the room.
Given all the predictable content and trauma narratives around, a well-performed show like this one provides some pleasant escapism (with a few kooky edges). Given the 6.00pm timeslot, it’s a handy start to a MICF night out.
Ian Smith: Foot Spa Half Empty
Westin 3 – Westin Hotel, Collins Street, Melbourne
Performance: Tuesday 7 April 2026 (6.00pm)
Season continues to 19 April 2026
Information and Bookings: www.comedyfestival.com.au
Image: Ian Smith presents Foot Spa Half Empty (supplied)
Review: Jason Whyte