Scout’s Harrowing Night: From Small Town Terror to Award-Winning Show

From Harrowing Night to Festival Hit: Scout Boxall’s “God’s Favourite”

A few years back, comedian Scout Boxall found themselves in a rather dire situation. Attending a live-action role-playing (LARP) wedding in a remote town, they experienced a truly harrowing sleepless night. This wasn’t just any ordinary bad night; it was the first time in a decade that Boxall had been without their medication for bipolar disorder, leading to a nightmarish experience of withdrawal.

However, even amidst the grim reality of that night, Boxall possessed an almost immediate ability to find a silver lining. “I sent a message to my friend Dylan [Murphy], who ended up directing the show, and said: ‘I’ve just had the worst night of my life; I reckon this will be a festival show in six months!’,” Boxall recalls. The sheer absurdity and grimness of the events, they felt, necessitated a creative outlet. “It was just so absurd and grim, it was like something good had to come out of this. It felt like a bit of a relief to put it on the page.”

The result of this challenging experience is the critically acclaimed show, God’s Favourite. This production weaves together the narrative of that unforgettable night with anecdotes from Boxall’s time immersed in the LARP scene, their various misadventures involving cryptocurrency, and candid insights into living with bipolar disorder, a condition they were diagnosed with as a teenager.

God’s Favourite has become a word-of-mouth sensation, celebrated for its unique blend of theatre and comedy. Its innovative approach earned it a nomination for Best Show at the 2025 Melbourne International Comedy Festival, a testament to its impact and originality.

Boxall expresses a deep affection for the show’s adaptability: “Every time I stage it in a different place, it gets a new lease of life, which I love,” they say. “It’s like this weird little cat with nine lives.”

When it comes to sharing such personal and potentially vulnerable material on stage, Boxall admits they had no reservations. “To be honest, it was all stuff that I’ve lived with, and have been processing for a very long time,” they explain. While not an advocate for unfiltered trauma dumping, Boxall believes in the power of honest storytelling. “I’m not an advocate for bringing out your trauma completely unfiltered or unprocessed; I don’t think that’s fair on the audience or the performer. But to be honest about something that’s happened to you and has made you realise something about yourself and the world? I think that’s really beautiful.”

Boxall also highlights the reciprocal relationship between performer and audience: “Audiences are very generous and will meet you where you’re at as long as you can deliver the jokes. If you don’t have that second bit, well, good luck to you, leave it for the memoir.”

Beyond the Jokes: Crafting an Immersive Experience

God’s Favourite is more than just sharp, consistently funny writing. The production artfully incorporates a range of other elements to enrich the storytelling and immerse the audience. These include:

Costumes: Thoughtfully chosen to enhance character and atmosphere.
Pre-recorded Voiceovers: Adding layers of narrative and dimension.
Atmospheric Lighting: Carefully used to evoke mood and emotion.

Boxall admits the show has evolved into something grander than initially envisioned. “I didn’t think it would quite turn into the beast that it has,” they remark. “In its first iteration, it was just my director doing all the other voices and playing the other parts. At one point, I was considering having a detailed and beautiful set, and then my management went bankrupt, so we had to shelve that, but I imagined it being a little bit theatrical.”

A pivotal element that brought God’s Favourite to life is its original music, composed by Luke Warlow. Boxall was initially hesitant about incorporating music, fearing it might be “too much.” However, they are now deeply grateful for its inclusion. “It was an element that I was reluctant to add; I thought it was going to be too much. But I’m glad I did; it’s beautiful music – weird, unsettling and immersive. The first time I heard it, I cried.”

An Unexpected Path to Comedy

Scout Boxall’s journey into the world of comedy was far from a direct route. Their initial academic aspirations lay in becoming an expert in early modern English. It was a suggestion from a tutor that steered them towards a Shakespearean improv comedy troupe, a move that proved to be a significant turning point.

While Boxall’s current comedic style bears little resemblance to Bard-themed improv, these formative experiences were undeniably crucial. “I love improvising in a stand-up setting, and that has probably transferred over from the Shakespeare stuff. That, and an inoculation against any kind of self-consciousness or cringe. Once you’ve done fake Shakespeare shows in your little outfit with a man playing a mandolin, it’s hard to ever be embarrassed doing stand-up.”

This unique background, combined with their unflinching honesty and comedic talent, has cemented God’s Favourite as a must-see show.

Upcoming Performances: