Callie O'Brien
F*ckboy feels like a punch in the face, an ice bath, three shots of vodka. This one-hander written and performed by Freddie Haberfellner is an unapologetic and deeply relatable take on loving, clubbing, and living as a trans person in the modern day.
We are catapulted through four concurrent narratives taken from different moments in our protagonist Frankie’s life without so much as a moment to breathe. This solo show doesn’t have a second of downtime; as soon you start to find your footing in the neon pinks and greens of a drunken night out, you’re dragged into the rattling ramblings of Frankie’s district line commute home, and then to a confession of undying love to Andrew Garfield, selected from and then played by an audience member.
With a pair of scissors hanging ominously from a chain above for the duration of the piece, we are bombarded with questions, sensations, and evocative descriptions that really paint out the world beyond the tiny, intimate studio stage. With direction from Isobel Jacob, Haberfellner sells this breakneck pace with an unmatched commitment and captivating energy that doesn’t let up for a breathless 50 minutes. Carefully chosen moments of direct address pull every member of the audience in, whether you become the couple cuddling on the train, a club-goer on the dance floor, or Andrew Garfield himself, its impossible not to be drawn into Frankie’s confusing, overwhelming life.
Amidst all of this chaos, Haberfellner expertly crafts gripping, crushingly intimate, and visceral depictions of how gender dysphoria actually feels. Where the current media seems fixated on hyper-medicalised, impersonal nitpicks on queer identities, F*ckboy presents a nuanced and deeply personal take on the trans experience in all of its joys, pains, and frustrating uncertainties.
It’s the fourth of our four narratives which deeply resonated with me: a future Frankie in therapy, talking plainly about their experiences with gender identity, gender healthcare, gender politics, all with a syrupy undercurrent of frustration and cynicism. Haberfellner skillfully voices trans folks’ widely-held dissatisfaction, uncertainty, and fear for the future with a refreshing lightness, punctuating the brutal realities of a system built against us with dick-jokes and relatable idolisations of celebrity crushes. Its this careful humour, sold through Haberfellner’s distinctive and energetic performance which ensures that F*ckboy remains engaging and heartfelt whilst so effectively capturing the harsh realities of the root issue it addresses.
Non-stop, profoundly entertaining, and defiantly queer, F*ckboy is an exhiliratingly fresh piece of trans theatre and not one to miss.
Recommended Drink: three shots of vodka and something highly caffeinated – its punchy and will leave you buzzing for hours after.
Catch F*ckboy until August 25th (not the 18th) at Paradise in Augustines – the snug from 22:45. Tickets are available through the EdFringe Box Office.
Phoebe Bakker
