This show is founded on the premise that the recent Denis Villeneuve movies are boring and don’t really tell the true story of what happens in the book. This is also meant to be from the worms Shai-Hulud’s perspective. Also, don’t be coming to this show if you do not like audience interaction. If you hide up the back he will come and find you.

There are “free refunds” offered for people who do not want to be a part of the show but not sure if anyone has taken them up on it. Everyone gets a knife at the start of the show and you are expected to assist with the chairs and the fight at the end but not required to take part if you do not wish to or cannot get on the floor.

The “spice” was used by the performer to make a drink for themselves to have at the start of the show. You could be given anything! One show they did only get cayenne pepper!

I was heartened to see a very low-tech overhead projector as part of the AV set-up for this show. This also requires an audience member to run so another show that you would need to see with a lot of people or else it would not work too well.

There was an introduction with “Frank Herbet” and he talked to an audience member who did an “audio porn podcast” but would not elaborate. This shook him up a bit and he broke character to ask about it. The audience member would not elaborate so it remains a mystery! Damn! I would have come back to see the show again if they just spent most of the show talking about it!

The other “roles” he cast in the audience for the Emperor, Paul Atreides and Vladimir Harkonnen did their roles so well I thought they were audience plants. I liked when the person who played Paul Atreides jumped over the bar as they had squeaky crocs on with Shai-Hulud chasing them whilst blindfolded.

This is a show that really depends on how much the audience is up for it as to how it turns out. It seemed to be very close to selling out on the night I attended but maybe earlier in the week it might be a bit quieter. This also means you are more likely to be chosen to be a part of the show so keep that in mind.

With my leg the way it is and my braces not letting me bend without ripping out my belt loops on my pants I did not participate in the mass fight and lying on the ground at the end. Not really that accessible despite the fact it is “wheelchair accessible”!

Even if you have only seen the movies or know it through osmosis through the many memes around the lore of DUNE, I would recommend this one. Well worth your time.

Rating: 4/5

Show details:

Created by Sean Burnett, Dugdale-Martin

Produced by Tom Smith

Stage Management by Tyler Clarke

Accessibility: Wheelchair Accessible but the do expect you get on the floor, FFS!

Dates: 30 Sep – 24 Oct 2026

Duration: 50min

Ticket prices

Full $24.99 – $34.00

Concession $19.99 – $28.00

Hump Day Discount $18.74

Fringe Member Discount $18.74

Extra Applause $34.50

Blak Tix $10.00

Group 6+ $19.50

We would genuinely love if you brought spice, but no stress <3

Parental Guidance Recommended – suitable for ages 16+

Event Warning:  High Audience Participation, Mild coarse language

Content Warning: Death, Murder, Staged Violence, Sexual References, Violence

Tickets

https://www.melbournefringe.com.au/whats-on/events/dune-but-worse

Social media

https://www.instagram.com/ruffasgutzspectacles/