A Christchurch psychiatrist and comedian is bringing her solo show about her cancer journey to Ōamaru this Friday (January 26).

Doctor Jo Prendergast is an award-winning Ōtautahi-based stand-up comedian, improvisor and MC, known on the comedy stage as Jo Ghastly.

Jo’s life was turned upside down in 2021, when the former child-cartwheeling star (she did a cartwheel-athon for telethon in 1982, she was that good) was diagnosed with cancer and her right arm was significantly disabled. Will she ever be able to cartwheel again? 

In her brand new show, Jo brings both silly fun and personal truth to the stage. 

Featuring stand-up, storytelling, skits, and songs, Cancer and Cartwheels is an uplifting hour from a break-out star of Christchurch comedy. A comedy show about cartwheels, cancer eviction, and bad and better wigs. 

Cancer and Cartwheels is a show about life.

When Jo was diagnosed with breast cancer in May 2021, she asked herself what good she could do with the treatment experience. 

During chemo she put together a website on managing chemotherapy side-effects, wrote a book on mental health, made a semi-viral TikTok, and penned her second comedy show, which is now making its premiere. 

Nearly three years on from her diagnosis, Jo is cancer-free and ready to laugh about the tough stuff. And she wants Ōamaru to laugh with her.

Cancer and Cartwheels is the second production from the creator of the comedy Jo Ghastly: The Cool Mum, which rocketed to success with cringeworthy self-help satire and sold out venues across New Zealand and Australia. 

Combining Jo’s wit, psychiatric knowledge and lived experience, Cancer and Cartwheels is an empowering show that is a much needed representation of cancer survivorship and a hearty laugh. 

Jo’s humour and experience resonates loudly with women 45+ and her informed approach to crafting comedy makes it a meaningful – and at times educational – night out for a wider audience.

Complementing her comedy talent and psychiatry practice, Jo is also an author, with a new release book for parents about teenage mental health, When Life Sucks, published by Harper Collins. 

Her guiding kaupapa on the page and stage is to look after yourself and keep finding the humour in life.

Cancer and Cartwheels embodies this wholeheartedly; it is just the tonic required for anyone struggling with change, feeling overwhelmed after bad news, or those simply wanting to be entertained. 

Laugh through the tough stuff - with a hilarious night of gutsy comedy!  

Cancer and Cartwheels is at the Ōamaru Opera House Inkbox this Friday with tickets available online or at the box office.