The success of Joe Sellman-Leava’s Fanboy (The Quarry Theatre, Wednesday 1 February) is as much the conceit of the concept as it is its execution.
This whistle-stop walk down memory lane draws parallels between popular culture, Brexit and conspiracy theories and proves that, while a life of passionate obsessions can lead to disappointment, it’s better than the alternative of cynical disinterest.
Through clever use of technology (a reference to Home Alone and the first of many nods to popular culture) Joe is able to communicate through the past, present and future decades (A Muppet Christmas Carol) and we ‘meet’ his Uncle Obi (Star Wars), girlfriend Gaia (referencing his love of nature) and Wayne (Batman).
“Television is the drug of the nation,” wrote Chuck D and Joe gleefully shares his addiction to The West Wing and David Attenborough’s entire output in the belief that everyone shares his worldview – from the order of the worst-to-best Star Wars films (Episodes XI, II, I, III, VII, VI, VIII, IV) to his love of Jar Jar Binks.
When this view is challenged, Joe has choices to make and inevitably relationships ebb and flow.
The pop culture references were tightly packed, and a better knowledge of the full Star Wars canon – and appreciation of Jar Jar Binks – would have given this reviewer a deeper understanding of some of the content.
Having said that, much of the references pre-dated half our party and they still loved it. Overall, it was another entertaining and thought-provoking evening at the Quarry Theatre.
