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Sometimes it seems just about every medical condition known to science has been exploited for a comedy show, but here Damian Callinan bravely tackles one of the most taboo: infertility. And in the testosterone-driven Australian culture that - if you'll excuse the expression - takes balls.

But you can tell from the very title of the show, Spaznuts, that there's going to be very little moping self-pity in this account. In fact, it's done with such matter-of-fact good humour that you almost forget this is his genuine problem, not just a collection of rather splendid dick jokes.

The show starts outside the venue, where Callinan, a star of TV sketch show Skithouse, poses as a formidable fertility clinic nurse, threatening to collect samples from the men queuing to get in. Inside, he employs his talent for characterisation by setting up his account in the context of a support group, sharing his experiences with the camp Douglass and boastful Brian – each of whom represent different male responses to the potentially devastating news that they’re firing blanks.

So, in flashback, Callinan details his often humiliating treatment at the cold, cold hands of the medical profession, including such bizarre experiences as the orchodometer, a collection of little plastic pebbles for measuring plum size. Callinan cheerfully confesses that his are way down the scale.

This might seem like he’s sharing too much information, as he tries to elicit an uncomfortable shock reaction from the embarrassing processes he underwent, but it’s not. The whole account is pitched perfectly at a frank, mature, but still witty level, extracting the jokes from the bizarre situations he encountered without the comedy ever feeling gratuitous or ikky. He is, as he’d need to be, a master of euphemism to avoid matters getting too graphic. His talents for getting the level right even manifest themselves in his impression of a mentally challenged relative, which manages to be affectionate rather than offensive.

Callinan’s infertility was a factor in the breakdown of his marriage, and it’s a stark realisation to come to that you will never have children. But he’s clearly accepted fate’s hand, making his tale almost inspiring. Primarily, though, it’s just damn funny.

THE AGE - Reviewed by Tim Hunter

With a title that includes “Spaznuts”, you’d expect this one-man show from skitHOUSE regular Damian Callinan to be childish, but it’s not. It’s a trip into the dark and forbidden places of virility and male vulnerability.

The comedy starts before the show, with Callinan, dressed as a nurse, handing out specimen jars to male members of the audience, and quizzing them about their recent ejaculatory history. Once we are in the “cloak-room”, “Gerald”, welcomes us to a male infertility counselling group with some soothing Enya, where we hear Callinan’s own story about infertility and his spaznuts.

It’s a well-structured, funny show that talks openly about traditionally taboo topics, such as testicles and self-gratification, without becoming smutty and puerile. Other characters include Brian, who is infertile and Douglass, who is going through a donor programme with his partner Kevin so they can have children.

And while laughing at male foibles and insecurities about their genitals, Callinan also manages to get a little poignant without becoming awkward, or at the comedy’s expense. Laughs, and something to think about – now that’s not a bad deal.