What Gets Better? is a daft & queer comedy that takes a brutally honest and often exaggerated look at my life. It’s about navigating my experiences as a neurodivergent (late diagnosed), nonbinary person (currently transitioning with testosterone) living in the UK while my family remains in Colombia. The show explores everything from my disastrous dating life (including the awkwardness of bad sex), the loneliness of being a foreigner, and the complexities of self-identity, including masculinity; all while tackling the mental and emotional toll of dysphoria.
Through storytelling, stand-up, and a bit of clowning, the show delves into the themes of masculinity, mental health, and the search for belonging. My two catchphrases that sum up my journey are:
“Every time I look in the mirror, I see a 15-year-old boi desperate to lose his virginity.”
“My name is Tomás, and I put the ‘T’ in Testosterone.”
While I approach these personal struggles with humor and exaggeration, I also aim to start important conversations about what it means to feel different, to question identity, and to cope with the emotional weight of self-discovery. This is not an easy journey, and through laughter, I hope to shed light on the complexities of dysphoria and neurodivergence.
The Journey Behind the Show
I’ve been developing What Gets Better? for over a year. The title came from a phrase I often heard as a teenager—“don’t worry, it gets better.” It was meant to reassure me, but as I grew older, I realized that while things don’t always get better, we just get better at dealing with them—until we burn out. My original intention was to contrast my past and present, but as I started writing, I found myself focusing more on the loneliness of adulthood and the consequences of past experiences.
Ultimately, the show reflects the harsh reality that reality doesn’t necessarily improve, but we learn to adapt. It’s a universal truth that humor can bridge divides and help heal pain. By sharing my story in a relatable way, I hope to make these difficult conversations more accessible, and perhaps even laughable.
What’s in the Show?
Themes: Testosterone, sex, mental health (neurodivergence), dysphoria, loneliness, and generosity
Style: A mix of stand-up, storytelling, and a touch of clowning. Minimal audience participation, but plenty of personal insight.
Tone: Dark comedy with a personal and vulnerable twist.
The dream? To win an award at the Edinburgh Fringe next year (fingers crossed). I’m putting my name out there for as many fringe festivals as I can afford, but being without a full-time job or regular income means I can only manage a few.
Social Media and Online Presence
Stay connected and follow the journey:
Instagram:@tomas.bepalo and@bepalo.tomas (The Ideal Man Productions)
TikTok:@the.ideal.man.pro
YouTube:Tomas.Bepalo
Credits
Sound Design: Xavier Velastin
Show Image Design: Cole Thompson
Singers (song): Trans Voice London.
Music (Song): Pauline Vallance
Supporters & Collaborators
Special thanks to those who’ve helped shape the show so far:
Work-in-Progress (WIP) supporters: Queer Comedy Sheffield, Square Hole (Sheffield), Shakespeare’s Staff (Sheffield), Evulve Productions (London), Sian Davies & the Stand Comedy Club.
Devising Process Support: Adele Cliff, Angela Legg, Sean Wai Keung, Viv Gee.
Their moral support and encouragement have been essential in keeping me motivated and moving forward.
Quotes and Reviews
“Some decent bones” & “Very likeable” & “Confident and likeable. Funny. “– The Stand Comedy, Edinburgh
“Outlandish comedy” – Theatre Weekly
“They have a light and gentle way of telling embarrassing, daft stories of their dating escapades, which leaves you pondering your own future dating game.” – The Feminist Fringe
“Tomas Bepalo is a loveable rogue with a unique perspective on queer, immigrant life in the UK. The combination of great jokes, a winning smile and his infectious cheeky charm is a sure fire hit with any audience.” Sian Davies
Past Reviews (for One Bite Only)
Theatre Weekly: 4 stars
The Feminist Fringe: 5 stars