Sam Harvey reviews Trash Fic...
Trash Fic is quite a difficult experience to put into words. Is it weird? Yes. Is it funny? Most definitely! Would I recommend Trash Fic? 100% Can I describe it in a way that would be suitable to publish in Left Lion? Definitely not! There will be no direct quotes in this article for reasons that I hope will become obvious throughout this review!
So what is Trash Fic? In the words of hosts Liam and Ellie, the show is an alternative, anarchic comedy. Delving into the grimy depth of the internet, the comedic duo provides the audience with quite possibly the worst (or best) selection of internet fanfiction they can find. The comedic timing is perfect, the chaotic atmosphere palpable, the character impressions…questionable. As someone who used to do dramatic readings of ‘My Immortal’ with his friends at university; I was hooked from the start- and if you got that reference then Trash Fic is definitely the show for you!
venture to new sexual frontiers aboard the Starship Enterprise
Throughout the evening we are treated to some Mighty Morphin 90s nostalgia, bravely venture to new sexual frontiers aboard the Starship Enterprise, compare the philosophical musings of an edgy hedgehog and an even edgier Canadian ‘Psychologist’ and find out who would win in a fight between Prince Harry on a chariot pulled by whip-wielding druids and Garfield the Cat. The stories are crass, poorly written, but superbly reenacted with visual gags, drinking games and costumes thrown in for good measure- a true multi-media experience. There’s a decent chunk of audience participation, reminiscent of Rocky Horror and it’s not uncommon to hear jibes, jokes and heckles being thrown towards the writers (who probably deserve it) and the presenters (who definitely deserve it!)
Trash Fic is like a B… no, a Z tier movie come to life with all the campiness, queerness and grade A trash that you would expect. I genuinely couldn’t recommend it enough. Liam and Ellie have created a little slice of cult internet humour here in Nottingham that may be an acquired taste for some- but if cringe, vulgarity and questionable puns are your thing, then Trash Fic is definitely the show for you!
Trash Fic performed at Rough Trade on Wednesday 7pm, 19 April, 2023.
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