★★★★☆
We were fortunate to be invited to the Creepy Boys’ 13th birthday party! Two soon-to-be pubescent thirteen-year-old twins throw a wild, often satanic, celebration, joined by Sharon the babysitter, who occasionally chimes in via voiceover to spoil the boys’ fun. The chaotic birthday bash is brought to life through masterful clowning, dance, singing and physical theatre, and of course plenty of Willem Dafoe references!
Creepy Boys is a whirlwind of fun, energy, and whimsy. S.E. Grummett (Best Theatre Award at Adelaide Fringe 2021) and Sam Kruger (Just for Laughs Comedy Award, MTL Fringe 2019) — a romantic couple in real life. Oddly enough, the couple join forces as twin brothers, showcasing unwavering commitment to their roles; going so far as to simulate birthing each other, vomiting and spitting on themselves, and even flashing the audience for a moment. The pair have an absolute belief in the fun, which I think is what makes Creepy Boys so deviously intriguing.
Grummett and Kruger fully commit to their performance, and it’s a joy to see how much fun they have clowning together. They cleverly play off each other’s energy and the audience’s, keeping us in fits of laughter with every subtle movement, gag, or bit — they truly know how to work a crowd.
The show has history, debuting at the 2023 Edinburgh Fringe Festival, where the duo sold out performances and received both critical acclaim, and a handful of mixed reviews — likely from those who may have missed the subtle brilliance of its unique comedic style.
This is a special production, one that requires you to put on your clown-tinted glasses and let the boys work their magic. It might not be for the faint-hearted or older audiences more accustomed to traditional theatre, but I believe there are plenty who will appreciate the sheer mastery of their silliness.
Photo: Nick Robertson
JADAR 