Fallout Theater in Austin is redefining comedy with its monthly game show, “Did I Win?”, where the lines between reality and absurdity blur, providing a fresh alternative to the conventional stand-up shows found on Sixth Street.
Co-host and creator Trenton Bradley describes the show as “a game show you would never want to get pulled onto.” Each month, he and fellow co-creator Austin Apostle introduce new segments that defy logic, inviting audience members to participate in games that are anything but typical.
“The game can be anything from a parody of ‘Deal or No Deal’ to something as outrageous as ‘Give Somebody a Haircut,’” Bradley explained. For the past two years, the duo has been experimenting with various game formats, often with unpredictable outcomes.
“Not all of our bits go well,” Bradley admitted, recalling a particularly disastrous show where a contestant was blindfolded and asked to identify items from a box. One of the items was a mousetrap, which unexpectedly snapped shut on the contestant’s hand, leaving the audience in shock. Fortunately, the contestant was aware of the gag, but many in the audience were not amused.
“They know it’s a game show, but they don’t know what that game show entails,” Bradley said, emphasizing the element of surprise that characterizes “Did I Win?”. The show creates an atmosphere of delightful chaos, where attendees are left guessing at every turn.
Audience member Bo Banducci expressed his excitement about the unpredictable nature of the show, stating, “You don’t know what’s going to happen. You can’t expect anything.”
Comedian Austen Silver, one of the evening’s plants, prepared to play a role that would leave some audience members questioning his character. “They’re going to get me to name celebrity feet,” he joked, noting that his lack of a costume or voice alteration might confuse viewers.
The show commenced with Bradley tossing jello shots into the crowd, a playful nod to the unpredictable nature of the evening. “I’ve been sober for six years,” he quipped. “Should I relapse tonight?”
As the first game, “Guess Who? Epstein Files Edition,” unfolded, real audience member Chris took the stage, tasked with identifying a figure displayed behind him by asking the crowd yes or no questions. Laughter filled the room as the antics continued.
Next, comedian Demi Chang was challenged to fight a trash can. Despite her initial hesitation, she humorously kicked the can off the stage, prompting cheers from the audience. The competition escalated when a man dressed in a trash can costume entered the scene, and Bradley humorously insisted that Chang continue the fight, leading to a staged defeat that the audience fully embraced.
The hilarity continued as Alyssa faced the challenge of identifying celebrities by their feet. Struggling to name even well-known figures, the audience joined in the laughter, but Silver emerged as the star, confidently naming female celebrities’ feet and winning over the crowd with his enthusiastic performance.
“Did I Win?” is a unique blend of comedy and immersive theater, thriving on confusion and awkward moments. It captures the essence of performance art, providing an experience that can be viewed as either entertaining or chaotic, depending on one’s perspective.
