Fringe: Slugs
Aug. 15th, 2025 10:25 am![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
smokingbootThis takes the prize for the Fringiest Fringe show I have seen since Famous Puppet Death Scenes.
The premis is that a pair of slugs try to have conversations about nothing, because any actual subject is dangerous territory. But the more they try to avoid contentious issues ('something') the harder and more bizarre conversation becomes. This is as lucid as the performance gets. It's brilliant, intensely creative, and at the same time incoherent drivel. The show's non-linear, one pace, almost one note, and character-free. Often it was extremely funny if uncomfortable, a series of surreal sketches that sometimes devolved to screaming clowns* running around with their genitals out. Not convinced much was added by one of them vomiting chickpeas on stage but eh. One serious issue; while the show's blurb warned of nudity/fake weapons, I wonder if these potential triggers should have been flagged more as the space is small and the actors get very close to their audience.
The sum of Slugs was less than its parts, still not sure why. It was hilarious in fits and starts, but pure shapelessness made it feel longer than necessary. After all that, I give Slugs 5/10.
*Literally. In terms of drama labels, this is clown work based firmly on theatre of the absurd.
The premis is that a pair of slugs try to have conversations about nothing, because any actual subject is dangerous territory. But the more they try to avoid contentious issues ('something') the harder and more bizarre conversation becomes. This is as lucid as the performance gets. It's brilliant, intensely creative, and at the same time incoherent drivel. The show's non-linear, one pace, almost one note, and character-free. Often it was extremely funny if uncomfortable, a series of surreal sketches that sometimes devolved to screaming clowns* running around with their genitals out. Not convinced much was added by one of them vomiting chickpeas on stage but eh. One serious issue; while the show's blurb warned of nudity/fake weapons, I wonder if these potential triggers should have been flagged more as the space is small and the actors get very close to their audience.
The sum of Slugs was less than its parts, still not sure why. It was hilarious in fits and starts, but pure shapelessness made it feel longer than necessary. After all that, I give Slugs 5/10.
*Literally. In terms of drama labels, this is clown work based firmly on theatre of the absurd.
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