Slime. Ooze. Mucus. Tobi feels like he is covered, head-to-toe, in slugs. Every unwanted kiss, lover and confused indignity over the years has left its oozy mark. They’ve always been there, but one recent romantic encounter and suddenly these slimy gastropods are taking over in a big way. From his childhood bedroom, Tobi explores fractured memories of his queer, adolescent sexual awakening (replete with a Hollyoaks Hunks calendar circa 2008) in an attempt to make peace with the slugs, in this knotty, darkly funny meditation on sex, shame and desire written by Tobias Graham and directed by George Jibson
Review by Richard Lambert
Slime. Ooze. Mucus. Slugs. Lots of slugs.
Tobi feels as though he is covered in them, and each one seems to represent an unwanted kiss, a lover or an awkward moment from his past. After one particularly difficult romantic encounter, they start to take over.
Set in Tobi’s childhood bedroom, Slugs takes us through memories of his queer adolescence and sexual awakening, complete with a Hollyoaks Hunks calendar from 2008. It is a funny, strange and at times uncomfortable look at sex, shame, desire and consent.
The square set is simple but works well, with lighting underneath and above helping to create the bedroom space. The lighting and sound are both simple but effective, allowing the focus to stay firmly on the performer.
The performance is strong and feels very real. The direction is clear, the pace is good and the casting works. There is plenty here to make you squirm, but there are also moments that make you sit back and think. The play raises some interesting questions around consent, gay sex and recreational drugs without giving you easy answers.
It can feel uncomfortable at times, but I think that is part of the point. Slugs gets under your skin and stays there. It is an interesting piece of new writing with something to say, and one that certainly gives you plenty to think about after you leave the theatre.
Cast: Tobias Graham – Performer
Creatives:
Tobias Graham – Writer
George Jibson – Director
Tomás Palmer – Designer / Set Designer.