Critically acclaimed comedian and historian Paul Coulter brings his three-time Edinburgh Fringe sell-out show to the Melbourne International Comedy Festival for the first time.
Read on for Paul’s take on his show, his audience and what comes next.
How would you describe your show to someone who knows very little about it?
It’s history and storytelling with laughs along the way.
What makes it stand out and why should people see it?
There is no other show like it – it covers 3000 years in one hour. It’s educational and entertaining, you learn and laugh. And it is different every year as I always pick new stories, some of which you might not know or be expecting.
How long was the process from idea to writing to stage? Any challenges along the way?
It takes an enormous amount of work to find the perfect story and then tell it in the right way. Each year I do a lot of research to whittle it down to the stories I am most excited to tell on stage. Then I trial a few stories because you don’t know what will resonate with the audience. Sometimes I completely change the entire show during previews depending on the audience reaction.
I wrote a book ’10 Mistakes That Changed History’ last year that was published by Penguin Random House and what’s been fun is that the process of writing for stage is so different to stage. I’ve told so many stories in the book that I’ve never told on stage – so I adapt my writing for where the stories will be told whether that is stage or page.
What attracts you to comedy?
I watch a lot of live comedy. I adore the diversity of the genre that it can encompass everything from clown to improv to sketch and stand-up. It’s such a great time in comedy now at the comedy festival because there is just so much to see. 5 Mistakes is a blend of genres so it is part comedy, part history and part storytelling. One of the best things about performing live is the immediacy of trying out a new idea and seeing it work with a live audience. I can improvise an idea the night and if it works it’ll remain in the show.
How would you describe your relationship with the audience and what do you love the most about live performance?
My audiences are amazing. They often know more about history than me! I always stand outside the theatre at the end and chat to my audiences – they often give me ideas for the show or tidbits of information that make their way into the stories. I am constantly changing the show based on their feedback.
Who would you say have been your biggest inspirations?
This show is heavily indebted to John Stewart, Trevor Noah and John Oliver for their blend of factual with comedy.
What do you love to most about performing at MICF?
Melbourne International Comedy Festival is where I dreamt up the idea of a history show – so it’s incredibly special for me to bring the show here after four years of touring it at Edinburgh and Adelaide. It’s my first year performing here and so far the audiences have been amazing, the festival staff are pros and the venue is brilliant so it’s been a great experience.
What comes after the MICF for you?
Next up is the Sydney Comedy Festival and then back to the Edinburgh Fringe Festival.
Paul came up with the idea for the show while visiting the Melbourne International Comedy Festival in 2022, and his unique blend of history and storytelling went on to sell out three years in a row at the Edinburgh Fringe. Critical success at the Edinburgh fringe attracted the attention of Penguin Random House UK who published his best-selling book 10 Mistakes That Changed History worldwide in June 2025. His debut UK tour in 2025 saw him perform the show to over 15,000 people.
Following three sold-out years at the Edinburgh and Adelaide Fringe Festivals and the release of his best-selling book 10 Mistakes That Changed History, Paul will make his Melbourne debut with a strictly limited run at Trades Hall 26th March to April 5th
https://www.comedyfestival.com.au/browse-shows/5-mistakes-that-changed-history/
