A Brief History of Human Stupidity

Storyteller extraordinaire Stephen Sheely serves up a set of absurd, intriguing and seriously funny tales of human stupidity thru the ages.

In the early 18th century Carl Linnaeus was the first to name us Homo Sapiens, literally meaning ‘wise human’. Given recent events, if he tried that now he’d be lucky not to get done for false advertising. Let’s face it, while we can occasionally be wise we can also be mind bogglingly stupid.

From tulips that cost as much as a house, through atomic vacuum cleaners to planking or licking door knobs, or whatever other idiotic social media trend has emerged in 2025, stupidity has been one of humanity’s abiding and fundamental characteristics.

Join stand up philosopher and comedic storyteller Stephen Sheely as he talks his way through a randomly selected bunch of stories about the human fondness for doing regrettable, inexplicable,and ridiculous stuff, in an attempt to unravel why we as a species do so many dumb things and what if anything we can do about it

Disclaimer: The 10pm show on Friday 15th is Adults Only

𝗙𝗔𝗤𝘀

𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝘁𝗶𝗺𝗲 𝘀𝗵𝗼𝘂𝗹𝗱 𝗜 𝗴𝗲𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗲?

At least 30 minutes before the show. Our performances start bang on time and it takes a hot second to welcome you into the building.

𝗔𝗿𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗲 𝗜𝗗 𝗼𝗿 𝗺𝗶𝗻𝗶𝗺𝘂𝗺 𝗮𝗴𝗲 𝗿𝗲𝗾𝘂𝗶𝗿𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘀 𝘁𝗼 𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗻𝘁?

The Butterfly Club is a licensed venue. Accordingly, patrons under 18 are only allowed on premises in the company of a parent or legal guardian.

𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗺𝘆 𝘁𝗿𝗮𝗻𝘀𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁/𝗽𝗮𝗿𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗼𝗽𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗴𝗲𝘁𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗼 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗳𝗿𝗼𝗺 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗻𝘁?

We strongly encourage using public transport. The Butterfly Club is a short stroll from Flinders Street station and Melbourne Central, and an even shorter stroll from any tram that travels through Swanston or Collins Streets (get off at Town Hall).

𝗛𝗼𝘄 𝗰𝗮𝗻 𝗜 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗮𝗰𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝘃𝗲𝗻𝘂𝗲 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗮𝗻𝘆 𝗾𝘂𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀?

Please call The Butterfly Club on 03 9663 8107 or reply to your email confirmation.

𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁'𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗿𝗲𝗳𝘂𝗻𝗱 𝗽𝗼𝗹𝗶𝗰𝘆?

All sales are final: exceptions are made in extraordinary circumstances at the Club's sole discretion.

𝗗𝗼 𝗜 𝗵𝗮𝘃𝗲 𝘁𝗼 𝗯𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗺𝘆 𝗽𝗿𝗶𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝘁𝗶𝗰𝗸𝗲𝘁 𝘁𝗼 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗻𝘁?

No. Our team have a record of all attendees updated in real time and will be able to let you in whether you bring a printed copy of your ticket or not.

𝗜𝘀 𝗶𝘁 𝗼𝗸 𝗶𝗳 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗻𝗮𝗺𝗲 𝗼𝗻 𝗺𝘆 𝘁𝗶𝗰𝗸𝗲𝘁 𝗼𝗿 𝗿𝗲𝗴𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗱𝗼𝗲𝘀𝗻'𝘁 𝗺𝗮𝘁𝗰𝗵 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗽𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗼𝗻 𝘄𝗵𝗼 𝗮𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗻𝗱𝘀?

Yes. It happens all the time. It's totally fine.

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