Fanboy, which is written and performed by Joe Sellman-Leeva explores our relationship with our past and future selves, in this play about a self-confessed fanboy. Sellman-Leeva takes audiences on a journey of how childhood obsessions evolve into adulthood, and how once upon a time he was ashamed of these interests, but in his teens and during adulthood he begins to accept and own his quirks.
What Sellman-Leeva achieves in just over sixty minutes is enough to leave any audience member speechless. This play initially comes across as a fun exploration of an inner fanboy and uses a comedic approach to allow audiences to relate to their own inner obsessions, however, layers peel away to reveal a truly heartfelt and thought provoking piece of theatre. Sellman-Leeva's writing continues to strike and shock you with brutal honesty.
Sellman-Leeva is truly captivating in his performance, commanding the stage and using the space really well to draw you in. Throughout the play, he explores his past relationships, platonic and romantic, and effortlessly bounces between different characters with distinguished accents and characterisations. Alongside this, he quickly jumps into many different impersonations of his favourite franchises and significant individuals that impact on his life, and it is clear that he has a true talent of impersonations.
As well as Sellman-Leeva's knockout performance, another impressive element is the technical design by Dylan Howells and video and sound design by Yaz Al-Shaater. Throughout the course of the play, we see Joe converse with a VHS tape of his younger self and this is synchronised to perfection, bringing the heartfelt and raw writing to a new level.
Fanboy is one of the most emotionally charged and thought-provoking pieces of theatre that I have witnessed in a long time. Regardless of whether you are a self-proclaimed fanatic or not, Fanboy is full to the brim with heartfelt and intelligent writing, as well as some real comedic moments, providing an incredible evening at the theatre.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (5*)
Gifted tickets in return for an honest review | photography by Duncan McGlynn
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