Following on from the success of F**king Legend, inventive Olly Hawes returns along with his new one man present, Previous Fats F**okay Up, a present that addresses poisonous masculinity, fatherhood, and feeling unfulfilled as you attain center age.
Previous Fats F**okay Up tells the story of a center age father of two, with a 3rd little one on the way in which. He’s exhausted, buckling below crippling monetary strain, and simply needs to have the ability to get pleasure from a wee in peace with out one million questions from his children. Olly is fast to emphasize that it is a work of fiction however later reveals that components are part-autobiographical.
All through the efficiency, we see his frustration and turmoil develop because the complexities of recent life take its toll, particularly when he and his household pluck up the braveness to go to his dad and mom to see in the event that they’ll lend him cash to allow them to keep of their tiny flat. A collection of occasions unfold, culminating within the man committing an act of violence in opposition to his son, resulting in immense guilt from the person’s perspective.
The setting for this efficiency could be very stripped again, with Olly, wearing blood-soaked clothes, parading backwards and forwards alongside a catwalk-style stage with the viewers sat on both facet. There’s no massive manufacturing aspect right here, and the performer narrates all through as if we had been watching a six-part Netflix collection.
Olly is undoubtedly an emotive and fascinating storyteller, and at time it actually does really feel as if we’re watching that extremely wanted Netflix collection. He vividly paints the scene, describing every location and the occasions going down. He additionally has a singular type of efficiency, combining storytelling with confession and stand-up, however this may generally confuse the message he’s making an attempt to get throughout.
The present is an element comedic however principally darkish, and at instances extremely unsettling. While the manufacturing is extremely gripping in locations, it falls slightly flat elsewhere. There’s a specific scene the place Olly is on the pub with a good friend, and envisions the kind of dialog that he want to have, the place he says goodbye to poisonous masculinity and really opens up about what’s bothering him. Nonetheless, what truly transpires is him persevering with to bottle up his emotions.
This leads right into a scene the place Olly has seemingly turned his life round – he’s misplaced weight, gained that Netflix collection, and is making massive bucks. Nonetheless, it’s quickly unveiled that that is all a part of a really bizarre intercourse dream (which additionally includes AOC – USA politician Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez), and we’re left sat taking a look at Olly in his underwear, full with a prosthetic hanging out. While this made the viewers chuckle, personally it felt like a ‘shock issue’ aspect for the sake of it, relatively than efficiently conveying a message.
Previous Fats F**okay Up covers some extremely vital themes, particularly this present day, and while there have been components which had been really partaking and thought scary, it didn’t fairly hit the mark general. The pub scene may have been a pivotal turning level on this piece and maybe ought to have ended there (albeit with a barely completely different final result).
What needs to be famous is that Olly is certainly a really courageous performer, and sometimes chilling in his depiction of a person who is actually at his wits finish. Switching between utilizing a mic and never is a really efficient method of showcasing completely different characters and feelings, and he does this effortlessly. There have been instances the place watching his frustration construct up was really breathtaking. While it’s not good (however then once more, what in life is?), Previous Fats F**okay Up positively sparks an uncomfortable but vital dialog round poisonous masculinity.
Previous Fats F**okay Up will probably be at Riverside Studios over 25 performances till twentieth December – remaining tickets accessible right here. Olly’s authentic present F**king Legend may also be taking part in for a restricted variety of reveals – verify dates and availability right here.
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Content material warnings: Sturdy language, sexual references, descriptions of violence, dialogue of psychological well being, and the usage of grownup and bodily prosthetics
