Creepy Boys‘ ‘Slugs’ at Soho Theatre: A Feral Rave Against the Apocalypse

London, UK – November 2, 2023 – In a performance described as “brilliantly smart and beautifully stupid,” Canadian clowning duo Creepy Boys are captivating audiences at the Soho Theatre with their show, ‘Slugs.’ The production, running until November 18th, offers a fever-dreamed escape from contemporary anxieties through absurdist humor and innovative staging.

SE Grummett in Slugs. Photograph: Murdo Macleod/The Guardian” width=”600″ height=”400″>

Created and performed by Sam kruger and SE Grummett, ‘Slugs’ initially presents itself as a deliberate attempt to avoid “serious topics” – gun violence, climate change, gender identity – opting instead for “smooth-brained blankness.” The duo enters the stage clad in sleeping bags transformed into grotesque costumes, featuring vulval gaps for faces and arms, instantly establishing a jarring and unsettling visual.

Tho, the promise of pure nothingness quickly unravels. Kruger and Grummett repeatedly stumble into potentially meaningful territory, triggering panicked retreats and frantic diversions.These attempts to maintain a safe zone of absurdity are punctuated by increasingly desperate misdirection, including Joni Mitchell puppetry, live animations, and a two-headed horse. This struggle to avoid “somethings” ironically highlights the unavoidable political connotations embedded within every gesture and object.

The performanceS descent into self-awareness is further emphasized by the performers’ own admission that their work is “a little bit niche and mostly gross.” Despite this self-deprecating description, ‘Slugs’ showcases an anarchic, DIY aesthetic that belies its refined design and underlying intellectual depth. Critics have noted the influence of Derridian concepts within the show’s deconstruction of meaning and its exploration of the absurd.

Beyond its immediate comedic impact, ‘Slugs’ offers a potent commentary on the overwhelming nature of modern information and the desire for escapism. In a world saturated with distressing news,the show questions whether a deliberate embrace of “blankness” can be a valid response,or if even attempts at distraction are inevitably politicized. The Soho Theatre, known for its support of experimental and boundary-pushing performance, provides an ideal venue for this challenging and thought-provoking work.

Tickets and Information: ‘Slugs’ is playing at the Soho Theatre, 21 Dean Street, London, W1D 3SB, until November 18th, 2023. Tickets are available at https://sohotheatre.com/.