Marooned alone, on a tiny island of his own devising, stands a wee sailor man. Beside him, are props particularly chosen to resemble semen. His semen. This is a play about his semen.
Little Squirt is the brainchild of Australian writer/actor Darby James. It begins with a Facebook ad about the benefits of semen donation. The ad would not only spawn a literal child being born with Darby’s DNA, but also this show. The second is obviously less important in the grand scheme of things, though certainly takes top billing as far as this review is concerned.
The performance features a mix of musical numbers and spoken word, all impressively delivered basically on the spot. Although he isn’t actually stranded on an island, just a raffia mat, he commits to the bit as though he were. You don’t really notice him not roaming the stage as other performers might- he’s too animated to seem static, his rhymes too engaging not to focus on him completely.
The content of the show is Darby’s journey through sperm donation, as well as his own ruminations on what making and raising children means for him as a gay man. It’s a lot of understandably complex emotions that he works through in the hour we have with him. Guilt, uncertainty, fear, all are explored with charm and determination. Once our time was up, Darby left the stage to bellowing cheers and foot stamping. I must say I was among them.
Little Squirt, Summerhall, 19:40, until August 26.
https://tickets.edfringe.com/whats-on/little-squirt
Latharna Imlah
