EdFringe Talk: A Shark Ate My Penis: A History of Boys Like Me

Posted in EdFestivals 2023 by

“I started reading these books about trans guys from the last 300 years in the UK & US – and their stories really made me feel seen, validated, like I was part of something.”

WHO: Laser Webber

WHAT: “Award-winning writer Laser the Boy presents a one-person musical about the history of trans men and his own transition! Meet Alan Hart, the first trans man to get gender-confirming surgery (in 1917!); Samuel Bundy, whose legend includes a shark, a robbery, and 12 girlfriends; and renowned children’s author JK Rowling, for reasons. These characters usher Laser through a life of weddings, divorce, lesbianism, and finally, joy. A fantastically delightful, fun, and heartfelt modern musical. It’s nice to watch a show not thinking, ‘Well, they could have made this gayer.'”

WHERE: Gilded Balloon Teviot – Wee Room (Venue 14) 

WHEN: 18:00 (60 min)

MORE: Click Here!

Is this your first time to Edinburgh?

I first hit the Edinburgh Fringe in 2019 while my band, the Doubleclicks, were on a tour of the UK and Europe. We performed at Comedy Queers and checked out some shows, and absolutely fell in love. It’s been recommended to me for years by fellow musical comedy friends Helen Arney and Axis Of Awesome’s Jordan Raskopoulos, so it’s always been on the list.

This year I finally have a show that I think is going to be worthwhile – we debuted it at the Hollywood Fringe and have already gotten some kudos – Pick of the Fringe among them – so I feel like I wont’ totally embarrass myself. I absolutely adore Edinburgh as a city, and I cannot wait to be an official part of the festival for the first time.

What are the big things you’ve learned since 2022 and have you absorbed any of the lessons yet?

In 2022 I learned I was a man, so that was a pretty big deal, and has really helped me come into my skin as a performer, a friend, and a supporter of others.

I’m hoping this year I can do my best to squeeze the most out of every moment!

Last year I did a Fringe festival (Hollywood) for the first time and met tons and tons of people, but never really got to chat seriously with them – so this year for all of the festivals I’m doing I’ve set up a little online show called #10minutefringe where I can chat with other performers, they can pitch their shows to an audience and I can also get to know them a bit more! (if you’re reading… get in touch if you want to do an interview with me!)

Tell us about your show.

I wrote “A SHARK ATE MY PENIS” because I started reading these books about trans guys from the last 300 years in the UK & US – and their stories really made me feel seen, validated, like I was part of something. We’ve all been doing the same stuff: tomboy childhoods, smoking to make us look more masculine, trying to date women we don’t deserve… all through history. The transmasc experience can be very invisible, for good and for bad, and it was awesome to hear these stories I don’t always hear. I wanted to share them.

So this show started with history, and then as I was working with my director Ashley Ward and developer Jessica Lynn Johnson, I realized that this show needed to also be about me, to show why I care about these people, why these stories hit me so hard at the beginning of my transition.

It’s a funny show, it’s a musical show (with incredible songs I wrote with E. AARON WILSON), but it’s also a clear encapsulation of my gender identity, and I hope it gives people a few new things to think about when it comes to creating their own gender.

I’m very lucky to be working with Frodo Allen of RHYMES WITH PURPLE for the Edinburgh run, and Frodo has been absolutely incredible at acquainting me with the EdFringe vibes and all of the moving pieces involved!

What should your audience see at the festivals after they’ve seen your show?

Go see my girlfriend!!! Haha my partner Rebecca McGlynn has a one-woman musical called “ASEXUALITY” and it’s brilliant. She does a voice in my show (JK Rowling, to be specific) and her show is laugh-and-cry incredible. There are other shows coming from my pals from the Hollywood theater scene that are great – check out Paige Wilhide’s “BREAKUP ADDICT” and Bonnie He’s gorgeous clown hour A TERRIBLE SHOW FOR TERRIBLE PEOPLE.

I’m really excited about all the trans-led shows at the fest this year – Robin Tran is here, Ben Hodge is here… it’s going to be a wonderful time. Follow me @lasertheboy on Twitter or Instagram, I’ll be sharing all my recommendations! 🙂

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