Him (Benjamin Salmon – also writer of ‘Blowhole’), is a 20-something living the life not-so-fabulous. A Yoga studio receptionist, he has a love-hate relationship with his place of work. That is he loves the semi-resident blonde adonis, and despises the new age boss, Star. A Grindr frequent fluer, his success rate is average, and his successes prone to the unedifying. Which is to say Him, is a wonderfuly regular human being, neither a sparkly, slay-queen unicorn, nor a figure of tragedy.
During the audience’s early introduction to Him, we find him in the toilet, still trying to perfect the bum-hole selfie to send to his dirty e-pal. He has no intention of meeting the person on the other end, but something about sending pictures of his backside scratches an itch.
Salmon is splendid in his one-man play, a saucy, imperfect human, and a cheeky, honest narrator of his creation’s life. Yes the show is rich in the ups and downs of Grindr hookup culture, but this is everyday queer life for thousands of people, and not taken to the limit of say James Ley’s Ode to Joy. However Salmon, and director Tom Wright, find plenty of ‘Blowhole’s’ drama and fun in Him’s family life, and his evolving attitude towards his best friend who he’s ‘definitely not in love with.’
All the same, Him’s devious quest to catch glimpses of his Adonis’s ‘big daddy cock’ are salacious fun through and through. It’s not entirely ethical, but Him isn’t portraying himself as an ethical paragon. That said, Salmon’s creation of the other character’s in Him’s life are a bit hit and miss in terms of voice, and clarity. He’s perhaps at his best when pulling a microphone out of the bog to read out his latest ‘sext’, it’s salacious and bonkers simultaneously. Him’s acid-etched takedowns of those he dislikes are also a regular highlight.
The set, essentially a toilet throne set upon a dias strewn with the mess attending Him’s life, is perfect for the play. You might say it’s grounding. Don’t expect a relentless cheerfest for an hour, Him has issues like most of us. His self image isn’t secure, he is grieving his father, and he doesn’t always get his man. His life might not be down the toilet, but it’s sometimes nearly there, so why not turn lemons into lemonade and further perfect that anal photography?
In the end, ‘Blowhole’ takes a surprising turn, offering Him unforeseen opportunities, but avoiding any ‘cute’ endings. Don’t expect boy meets boy, boy loses boy, boy gets boy back…well, not quite. Him isn’t a static character either, he isn’t just there to spout of adventures and misadventures. This is a character who can grow, given the chance.
So there were are, ‘Blowhole’, a very funny show, set in a toilet, and the most unlikely photography lesson you’ll get this Edinburgh Fringe.
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