by Zahid Fayyaz

Fresh from a month’s run at the Edinburgh Fringe and then Soho Theatre, Fanboy is a one-man show written and acted by Joe Sellman-Leava. It is seemingly autobiographical, looking at changes in society through the lens of the Star Wars fandom. Using videos and props to develop the story of the piece, it’s certainly not static, which can often be an issue with one-person shows.

This is extremely funny in places, with a good hit of nostalgia for audience members who equally love Star Wars and Muppet Christmas Carol as much as Joe does. It’s very much on the button when it comes to the divisions within fan culture. The show also brings in Trump and Brexit, mirroring these fractures within a bigger society. There are some well-done call backs to Joe’s past using a VHS tape and editing, which adds pathos to the character and show as a whole. Having done several runs of this production by now, the show moves along at a cracking pace without slowing down, and is extremely entertaining overall.

This certainly is a prescient and fascinating show, and one which hopefully will be back sooner rather than later. It’s certainly worth a watch, especially if you are a fanboy/person yourself!

Fanboy runs through 12 March.

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