Sitting face to face with a man perfecting the art of a bumhole selfie might not seem like the start to a strong hour of comedic theatre, but writer and performer Benjamin Salmon will prove you very wrong during Blowhole.
Directed by Tom Wright, Blowhole is a heartwarming comedy that manages to capture the spirit of being a modern-day twenty-something without being patronising – a hard ask in the era of generational culture wars. Salmon’s tongue-in-cheek humour endears both him and his world of sweaty yoga classes and unrequited love to the audience, whisking you away into the life of a gay man in London with the swish of a Grindr notification.
While the majority of Blowhole focuses on dating and relationships, the inclusion of a subplot of grief subtly steals the show throughout. As such, Salmon’s performance delivers both in heart and smiles throughout, with laugh-out-loud moments to break away from the perils of dating in London.
It’s refreshing to see a queer life that’s free from the traditional coming out story, where a gay man is simply living, their sexual orientation referenced but not central to the plot. Salmon’s leading man is chaotic and awkward, funny yet earnest, and the fullness of the character is well-presented, even within a short 60-minute performance.
The more you learn about both the main character and their world, the more references you’ll spot in the apparently trash-filled stage. Naturally, the toilet takes centre stage but impressive stage direction from Wright makes you forget that when you’re meant to – before being abruptly flushed back to reality when Salmond returns to the seat itself (as he inevitably always does).
Blowhole is an easy show to recommend. There’s plenty to love, plenty to laugh about, and a heartfelt story that twists and turns in ways you may not expect.
