Cool & Smart
Melbourne's premier improv duo.
Who are Cool & Smart?
Which one is Cool? Which one is Smart?
They are both ‘&’.
Matt Young and Barney Pollock started working together in 2017 having met in one of the coolest most underground places; an improv class. Now, they are housemates.
Together, they have:
toured their acclaimed sketch show Paradise!, selling out seasons in Melbourne and Perth.
performed monthly as part of a residency at The Improv Conspiracy Theatre (boasting the highest average attendance of any show at the venue).
produced Cool & Smart & Friend for the 2024 Melbourne International Comedy Festival, performing at Trades Hall alongside guests including Glenn Robbins, Guy Montgomery, Virginia Gay, and many more.
Separately, Matt has appeared on the Amazon Prime hit series Deadloch and was named Most Outstanding Workshop Instructor by the TIC community in 2023.
Barney is an ensemble member on Channel 10/Working Dog's Thank God You're Here and appears in ABC Comedy's White Fever.
Audience Reviews
"Barney and Matt are really funny dudes. Their chemistry is elite...The energy is always so high, it leaves you buzzing as you walk out...If you want to see crazy, high octane nonsense - this is the show for you."
- Christov, 28 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
"I would definitely recommend it, and would describe it as a comedic, absurdist night of fun. The format reminded me of Middleditch and Schwartz, but a much more absurdist and Aussie feel to the content."
- Uma, 27 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
"It's like watching a live action cartoon show in the best possible way. It's a great way to cap off a long week at work with something that is so unashamedly silly."
- Ryan, 30 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
"I enjoy seeing the chaos that comes from two people who have enough trust and knowledge with each other to make outrageous scenes...It's held at the ideal time and place and it's my favourite improv show."
- Adem, 27 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Press Reviews
“High energy, satirical, and downright bizarre...you’ll be in stitches from the start, even if you aren’t 100 percent sure why. Pollock and Young have managed to balance absurdity with depth – a feat which very well may become their signature approach to theatre. It’ll make you laugh, it might make you cry, and it will definitely have you wondering what on Earth is going on.”
– Fringefeed ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
“Genuinely hilarious...undeniable chemistry. This is a show you simply need to see for yourself before the boys are adopted by Noel Fielding.”
– Isolated Nation ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
"Flying by the seat of your pants is a skill developed in the theatrical cauldron of a sea of faces looking expectantly at you and it is not for the timid. This company has bravely grasped the chance to soar."
- Stage Whispers
"The interaction between Matt and Barney in this show is like a twin stream of consciousness. It's clever, cohesive, random and unpredictable...these two are so clever you are guaranteed lots of laughs."
- Weekend Notes