the worst of us.

the worst of us. is an intimate, tender tapestry wrapped around three stories founded in the human experience; it gently asks the audience to face their own imperfections and their own humanness through a lens of love and forgiveness.

Presented by perhaps, theatre., this one-person show by creator and performer Emmett Aster and collaborator and tech support Robbie Fieldwick reveals three deeply personal narratives: a child’s irreversible words, a mother’s painful uncertainty, and a man confronting an impossible choice. These three stories are all carefully and compassionately woven together from anonymous confessions that illuminate the real and confronting messiness of being human.

Aster’s performance is a masterclass in empathy. His voice is tender yet assured as it draws the audience into each confession with remarkable clarity. The way in which Aster communicates the raw emotion through his skilful blend of the spoken word, music, and poetry transformed what could have been simple storytelling into a collective experience of enlightenment, acceptance and healing.

Beautifully simple, yet evocative, the lighting and use of confessional notes became emotional anchors, drawing the audience deeply into the essence of each story being told. The glow of each light highlighting the fragility of the human spirit on display, and its shifts mirroring the emotional arcs of the narratives.

Of note was the audience’s response - it was profound! I witnessed real tears, hushed silence, and a palpable sense of connection as people absorbed the love and compassion that radiated from Aster’s performance.

This intimate performance felt shared, performed with, rather than to its audience. It was told with delicate grace. the worst of us. isn’t just theatre — it’s a heartfelt invitation to forgive, to understand, and to hold one another a little closer.

Peta Bojanic

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